ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Jeff Tambellini evened the score with just 49 seconds remaining in regulation to bring the team back from a two-goal deficit and force overtime tonight at the Blue Cross Arena. However, the Syracuse Crunch were unable to complete their comeback and were defeated, 4-3, by the Rochester Americans.
 
The Crunch were down by two after two periods tonight. In the final frame, captain Mike Angelidis scored his first of the season, followed by Tambellini late in the period to knot the score and require extra time. Unfortunately for the Crunch, the Americans were able to find the back of the net during overtime and down Syracuse for the second time this season.
 
Despite the loss, the Crunch have earned points in three straight games and hold on to a 8-5-2-1 record.
 
Syracuse goaltender Adam Wilcox made 25 saves, while his counterpart, Nathan Lieuwen, turned aside 30. The Crunch were unable to convert on any of their three man-advantages. The penalty kill unit was successful in stopping two of three Americans power plays.
 
Rochester struck first with a power-play tally at the 5:26 mark of the first period. Matt Donovan tapped the puck out for Chad Ruhwedel to chip into the net. Cal O'Reilly was credited with the secondary assist.
 
Four minutes later, the Americans built a two-goal lead. They entered the zone with a two-on-one and Jean Dupuy dropped a pass back for Jason Akeson. The right-winger quickly sent it over for Evan Rodrigues to sweep in from the left of the crease.
 
Matt Taormina stole one back for the Crunch with 3:56 remaining in the first. After receiving a pass from Philippe Paradis, he skated across the blue line and threw a shot on net that caught the corner. Jake Dotchin earned an assist on the goal.
 
With 2:36 remaining in the middle frame, the Americans regained their two-goal lead. Justin Bailey fired a shot that went wide right and bounced off the end boards. William Carrier grabbed the puck, took a step back and stuffed it in before Wilcox was able to slide over from the far goal post. O'Reilly recorded his second assist of the night with the helper.
 
The Crunch mounted a comeback in the third period. Captain Angelidis netted his first of the season at the 9:18 mark. Mike Blunden passed back to Angelidis, who lit the lamp with a wrist shot from the left face-off dot.
 
Syracuse continued to fight back and tied the game with just 49 seconds remaining in regulation. Tye McGinn carried the puck around the back of the cage and pushed it to Tambellini at the right goal line, who scored from a sharp angle to force overtime. Taormina earned his second multi-point game this season with the secondary assist.
 
The Americans scored for the final time at the 1:49 mark of the overtime period to down the Crunch. Dupuy skated the puck into the zone, sent it through the legs of a Crunch defender and beat Wilcox five-hole to take the victory.
 
The Crunch return to the War Memorial Arena to host the Toronto Marlies on Friday at 7 p.m.
 
Syracuse Crunch single game and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch Box Office located in the War Memorial on 800 South State Street in Syracuse or by calling the office at 315-473-4444. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@officialsyracusecrunch) using #SyrCrunch and #BelieveInBlue.
 
Crunchables: Matt Taormina has scored goals in back-to-back games for the second time this season…This is the third consecutive overtime game for the Crunch and second consecutive against the Americans.