1
0
Crunch rally for another critical two points as stretch drive continues onward.
SYR-4
WBS-3 (OT)
Max Lagace allowed three goals on 21 shots for the OT win.
First Period
16:12 WBS Caggiula (20), (unassisted)(SH)
Second Period
16:31 SYR Robert (18), (Goncalves, Barre-Boulet)(PP)
17:39 WBS Smith (6), (Sikura)(PP)
Third Period
2:07 WBS Houde (12), (Andonovski, Legare)
9:38 SYR Barre-Boulet (22), (Goncalves, Thompson)
16:12 SYR Barre-Boulet (23), (Day, Goncalves)
Overtime
0:52 SYR Myers (7), (Ryfors, Barre-Boulet)
Phil Myers and Alex Barre-Boulet were the game’s first and second stars. ABB’s four point game pushes him, at the time of this posting, into second in the league in scoring three points behind Tucson’s Michael Carcone.
I said it a few games back and it comes into clearer focus as the schedule winds down: these are all essentially playoff games right now because of the playoff format and the jockeying to avoid the best-of-three opening round. And, with that in mind, the Lightning have to be out of their minds pleased to see a different prospect stepping up seemingly every weekend. Let’s throw some roses Gage Goncalves’ way now after a three game stretch where he’s put up a goal and six points when the stakes continue to rise each game. Honorable mention to RHD Jack Thompson, who has emerged over the last six games to post six assists and a very respectable +8 rating over that span. Again, as the stakes continue to rise.
Rochester defeated Utica in regulation tonight, so the terrain of the division is as follows. Syracuse and Rochester sit tied on 74 points for second in the division with the Crunch holding a game in hand. Utica slips to the dreaded fourth spot at 72 points and also gives up a game in hand to Syracuse.
At 3:00 pm Sunday the Crunch travel to Utica for a very tough but very critical matchup with the Comets. It’s a tall challenge from a schedule/travel perspective, IMO, but they can really deal a blow to their rivals if they can cap a busy weekend with a “W.”
Box score from TheAHL.com.
