SYRACUSE, N.Y. — History happened Saturday night at the Carrier Dome: the Toyota Frozen Dome Classic set a new United States professional hockey indoor attendance record. 30,715 fans let out deafening roars as the Syracuse Crunch (10-5-3-0) defeated the Utica Comets (12-4-2-0), 2-1, in the first ever game played in the Syracuse University's Carrier Dome.

The previous record of 28,183 was set April 23, 1996, by the Crunch's parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning  at the Thunderdome in a Stanley Cup playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Yanni Gourde scored the game-winning marker in the second period, his eighth goal in the last eight games. Jonathan Marchessault dangled at the point and flicked a wrist shot toward the net that Gourde redirected past Joacim Eriksson.

The Crunch controlled the first shift at the Carrier Dome, firing shots on net, but Utica struck with its first shot of the game. Alex Friesen ripped a shot past the glove of Andrei Vasilevskiy to take a 1-0 lead at the 2:55 mark of the opening period.

The Comets entered the night 11-0 in games they scored first. The Crunch ended that run, capturing their ninth comeback win of the season. 

The action settled after the opening tally and both teams traded chances, including Joel Vermin's equalizer at the 16 minute mark. He forced a shot home from the crease after Tanner Richard tossed the puck in front of the net mouth.

The second period played out much like the first: A quick goal followed by an extended series of alternating chances. Vasilevskiy emerged as the show stopper, making 26 consecutive saves after giving up a goal on the game's first shot. The win is Vasilevskiy's fourth on the season and third in a row.
 
The Crunch and Comets won't have a long wait before facing off again; the teams will battle in Utica Wednesday before the Crunch play a Black Friday contest against Binghamton. 

Photo: Dave Kliment