SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Crunch held the lead on two separate occasions tonight against the Albany Devils, but fell just short in a 4-3 shootout loss at the War Memorial Arena.
 
The Crunch kicked off scoring in the first, only to be matched by the Devils twice, until losing the lead in the third. Syracuse came back to force overtime, but were unable to top Albany in a shootout. Yanni Gourde, Adam Erne and Tanner Richard each notched a goal and an assist in tonight's loss. By making it to overtime, the Crunch stayed alive in the playoff push with 76 points and a 31-27-10-4 record. Albany took the six-game season series, 5-1.
 
Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis made 29 saves and stopped 2-of-3 shootout attempts. Devils netminder Scott Wedgewood picked up the win, turning aside 22 shots and all three shootout opportunities. Syracuse converted on one of two power play opportunities, while killing all three Albany man-advantages.
 
The Crunch opened scoring halfway through the first period. While on the power play, Richard passed down low to Erne. The left-winger sent a feed back through his legs for Gourde to redirect past Wedgewood. At 12:10, Albany stole it back. Brian O'Neill found the puck in the high slot and ripped a slap shot with the help of Matt Lorito and Max Novak.
 
Erne put Syracuse back on top when he wrapped around the back of the cage and jammed one in 5:26 into the middle frame. The assists went to Gourde and Luke Witkowski. The Devils were quick to even it up again. Gudlevskis made a pad save on Nick Lappin's shot, but left the rebound out for Lorito to capitalize on the second chance.
 
The Devils took over the lead for the first time two minutes into the third period. Ryan Kujawinski fired a rocket from the middle of the right circle with the help of Kevin Rooney.
 
Richard evened the score and eventually forced overtime with 14:25 remaining in regulation. He skated down the right wing side to clean up a rebound from the slot. Joel Vermin and Anthony DeAngelo were credited with the assists.
 
After a back-and-forth, but scoreless overtime, the game went to a shootout. Gudlevskis stopped O'Neill and Lappin, before letting Paul Thompson's game-winner through. Vermin, Erne, and Jeff Tambellini shot for the Crunch, but could not beat Wedgewood.
 
The Crunch host the Toronto Marlies tomorrow 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 at 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: With his AHL debut tonight, Mitchell Stephens became the 600th player in Crunch franchise history…Yanni Gourde has 10 points (4g, 6a) in his last six games.