Richard Panik‘s game-winning overtime goal lifted the Crunch over the Portland Pirates 4-3 tonight at the War Memorial Arena to open the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
After falling behind 3-1 the Crunch scored three unanswered goals to take a 1-0 series lead over Portland in their best-of-five first round matchup. The Crunch will host the Pirates again Sunday at 7:30 for Game 2. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)
Portland struck first with 10:53 gone in the first period. Darian Dziurzynski wrapped around the net and pushed the puck past Cedrick Desjardins while falling to put the Pirates up 1-0. Ethan Werek was credited with the lone assist.
With less than three minutes remaining in the first period, David Rundblad doubled the Pirates’ lead with a shot from the right circle. Rundblad’s power-play goal was assisted by Brandon Gormley and Jordan Martinook.
The American Hockey League MVP, Tyler Johnson, pulled the Crunch to within one with a power-play goal 6:37 into the second period. Panik sent the puck across the front of the crease to Johnson, who was able to slam it past Chad Johnson from the stick side of the net. Ondrej Palat picked up a helper on the play, as well.
Read the rest at SyracuseCrunch.com.
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