Crunch complete weekend with 3-1 loss at Providence

by Steven DiOssi | @StevenDiossi | Like us on Facebook
December 18, 2016

The Syracuse Crunch fell to the Providence Bruins 3-1 at Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Sunday.

The Crunch completed a set of three games in three days, earning three of a possible six points on the road trip. Mike Halmo scored the only goal in the loss for Syracuse, who drop to 16-7-0-3 on the season.

Kristers Gudlevskis, ejected the previous night for a fight, got the start for the second consecutive game and stopped 32 of 34 shots, while Providence goaltender Zane McIntyre made 25 saves in the win. The Crunch were unable to score on two power play opportunities but killed off all three Bruins’ chances with the man advantage.

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Providence put Syracuse on their first power play of the game when Alex Grant was called for hooking near the midway point of the first period. Syracuse was unable to convert with an extra skater and Providence built upon the momentum when Sean Kuraly made it 1-0 at 13:57 of the period. Providence forward Frank Vatrano, just cleared to return from injury this week, took a slashing penalty with under a minute remaining in the frame, giving the Crunch their second power play opportunity.

After failing to capitalize with the man advantage, Syracuse tied the game on Halmo’s eight goal of the season at the 7:24 mark of the second period. McIntyre went behind the net to play the puck as Halmo skated towards him on the forecheck. Halmo intercepted McIntyre’s pass attempt and wheeled around the net before firing it into the empty cage.

Well played, @mhalmz pic.twitter.com/yxJUdRCx8R

— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 18, 2016

The Bruins answered just over five minutes later when Jake DeBrusk got behind the Syracuse defense and beat Gudlevskis to make it 2-1. The Crunch put the Bruins on back-to-back power plays later in the middle frame but were able to hold them off to keep it a one-goal game entering the third period.

Syracuse was unable to beat McIntyre in the final frame before they pulled Gudlevskis for an extra attacker towards the end of regulation. Vatrano tallied the insurance marker for Providence on an empty net goal with under two minutes left in regulation to secure the 3-1 win.

The Crunch return home to War Memorial Arena to play the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday.

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