SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Crunch defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds, 4-2, tonight at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
The Crunch win was highlighted by a franchise record as Daniel Walcott set a new mark for the most Crunch games played with 335. Syracuse now advances to 11-10-1-4 on the season while sweeping the two-game season series against the Thunderbirds.
Crunch goaltender Hugo Alnefelt recorded the win stopping 17-of-19 shots. Vadim Zherenko turned aside 36-of-39 shots between the pipes for the Thunderbirds.
Syracuse was unable to convert on three power play opportunities, while Springfield went 1-for-5.
The Crunch were first on the board 7:10 into the second period. Shawn Element tipped a shot from Declan Carlile that was initially blocked, but he found his own rebound and shoveled the puck into the net.
The Thunderbirds quickly responded and proceeded to steal the lead with back-to-back goals. At 11:43, Jake Neighbours netted the equalizer when his right circle shot went five-hole. Just over two minutes later, Steven Santini put Springfield on top with a long wrist shot from the right point.
With two minutes remaining in the second period, Syracuse tied the game at 2-2. Felix Robert was down low to get a stick on Darren Raddysh’s shot from the blue line and redirect it past Zherenko.
The Crunch regained their lead halfway through the final frame off a wrist shot from Simon Ryfors before Gemel Smith added an empty-net goal in the final minutes to seal the Crunch win.
The Crunch host the Bridgeport Islanders tomorrow night.
Single game tickets and ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the Crunch office located inside the Upstate Medical University Arena at Onondaga County War Memorial at 800 S. State St. in Syracuse, by calling the office at 315-473-4444 or online through Ticketmaster. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@syracusecrunch).
Crunchables: Gemel Smith is on an 11-game points streak (6g, 9a)…Daniel Walcott set a new franchise record for the most Crunch games played with 335 tonight.
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