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Syracuse Crunch

Crunch fail to hold lead, lose game late to former teammate

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By Steven DiOssi| @StevenDiOssi | Like us on Facebook
March 10, 2017

The Syracuse Crunch dropped a 3-2 decision to the Springfield Thunderbirds in former goaltender Adam Wilcox’s return to War Memorial Arena on Friday.

Wilcox faced his former team for the first time since being traded for veteran netminder Mike McKenna at the NHL’s trade deadline on March 1 and made 29 saves to earn the victory.

Byron Froese, who was also acquired by the Crunch in a deal before the trade deadline, made his Syracuse debut and tallied his 25th goal of the season and added an assist. Tye McGinn also scored for the second straight game and Kristers Gudlevskis made 24 saves for the Crunch, who have now dropped three of their past five contests.

The Crunch took a 2-1 lead just 45 seconds into the third period but yielded two goals in just over eight minutes to fall to 30-20-5-5 on the season. Syracuse went 1-for-4 on the power play and held Springfield scoreless in five chances with the man-advantage.

The Thunderbirds opened the scoring with just 1:11 left to play in the first period on Paul Thompson’s 12th goal of the year. Springfield forward Chase Balisy won a faceoff in the right circle back to Dryden Hunt who controlled the puck and fed it to Thompson who beat Gudlevskis short side from just above the goal line.

Syracuse outshot the Thunderbirds 10-6 in the period but were unable to find the back of the net as they headed into the first intermission down by a goal.

The Crunch knotted the game at one goal a side early in the middle frame, as McGinn scored his fourth of the year at 4:13. Ben Thomas took the initial shot, which was saved by Wilcox but drew him to the right side of the net. Froese battled for the puck and was able to poke it into the crease from along the goal line where McGinn whacked at it a few times before sending it past a Springfield defender and a sprawling Wilcox into the net.

The Crunch put the Thunderbirds on the power play four times in the middle frame, but kept them off the board despite being outshot 11-8 in the period.

After Balisy was called for slashing 11 seconds into the third period, the Crunch made quick work of the ensuing power play. Cory Conacher sent a pass to Matt Taormina at the point. Taormina fed it to Froese who fired a one-timer from near the top of the left circle that beat Wilcox just 45 seconds into the frame. Froese’s 25th goal of the season is fourth among all AHL players. Conacher’s assist was his team-leading 52nd point of the year and he also paces all Syracuse players with 38 assists.

Springfield tied the game with 9:56 left to play on the first of what would be a pair of goals from Anthony Greco in final half of the period. With just 1:45 remaining, Thompson fed the puck across the crease and Greco redirected it into the net to take the lead.

Syracuse went on their fourth power play of the game with 1:02 remaining after Springfield defenseman Ian McCoshen was called for a delay of game penalty, but they were unable to score the equalizer.

The Crunch continue their homestand on Saturday when they host the St. John’s IceCaps.

Full game highlights from Syracuse Crunch

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