Crunch fall to Rochester for first time this season

by Steven DiOssi | @StevenDiossi | Like us on Facebook
December 26, 2016

The Syracuse Crunch fell to the Rochester Americans 5-1 at Blue Cross Arena on Monday.

The Crunch hold a 5-1 lead in the 10-game series between the clubs this season.

Syracuse has dropped three consecutive games, but maintains the top spot in the North Division with a 16-9-0-3 record overall.

Dominik Masin scored his first professional goal in the contest, but the Crunch were unable to generate any other offense, despite the return of forwards Cory Conacher, Erik Condra and Tanner Richard, all of whom were sent back by the Lightning before the weekend.

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Adam Wilcox made 21 saves while Amerks goalie Linus Ullmark stopped 25 shots in the winning effort. The Crunch were unable to convert on five power play opportunities, but held Rochester to just 1-for-5 with the man-advantage.

The Crunch opened the scoring when Matthew Peca carried the puck into the offensive zone and dropped it to a trailing Masin who fired the puck towards the net. It ricocheted off of a Rochester defenseman and over the glove hand of Ullmark to give the Crunch the early lead at 5:56 of the first period.

?: @Masinator27

?: Matt Peca
?: @MATaormina

The #SyrCrunch lead @AmerksHockey, 1-0. #SYRvsRCH pic.twitter.com/xKYs8xg8EU

— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 27, 2016

Rochester was put on the power play for the first time in the game when Luke Witkowski was called for tripping at 6:57 of the period. With just seconds remaining with the man-advantage, Amerks forward Justin Bailey beat Wilcox to knot the game at one goal a side.

The tally began a three-goal period for the Amerks who outshot the Crunch 13-8 and held a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.

In a scoreless middle frame, the Crunch killed off an early penalty before Mike Halmo and Rochester blueliner Mac Bennett each received five minute majors for fighting. After their penalties expired, each team traded power plays but neither was able to find the back of the net.

The Crunch entered the third period down by two goals, but were unable to generate any offense, despite outshooting the Amerks, 10-8. Syracuse killed off a Rochester power play early in the period but could not convert on one of their own after Amerks forward Daniel Muzito-Bagenda was called for tripping at the 7:31 mark.

The Amerks added to their lead when Bailey scored his second goal of the contest at just past the midway point of the period. Rochester extended their lead to 5-1 after forward Tim Kennedy won a faceoff in the offensive zone and kicked the puck out. Cole Schneider gained control of it in the slot and fired the puck top shelf past Wilcox with under five minutes left in regulation.

The Crunch return home to face the Hershey Bears at War Memorial Arena on Wednesday.

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