Amerks edge Crunch in OT forcing game five

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — The Syracuse Crunch fell to the Rochester Americans, 4-3, in overtime tonight at the Upstate Medical University Arena.

The loss evens the series, 2-2, and forces a Game 5 in Rochester on Friday.

Crunch goaltender Brandon Halverson stopped 43-of-47 shots. Devon Levi turned aside 41-of-44 in net for the Amerks. Syracuse converted on 1-of-2 power play opportunities, while the penalty kill went a perfect 3-for-3.

The Crunch opened scoring just four minutes into the game. Cole Koepke skated in on a short breakaway that was stopped by Levi, but Gabriel Fortier grabbed the rebound and sent it across the slot for Koepke to score from the left circle.

Syracuse made it a three-goal lead with back-to-back goals in the middle frame. The first one came at the 3:53 mark. Waltteri Merelä skated the puck down the right wing during a 2-on-1 with Gage Goncalves. At the last minute, he sent a feed across the slot for Goncalves that was turned aside, but Merelä got his stick on the rebound and sent it into a wide open net. Three minutes later, Alex Barré-Boulet scored a power-play goal from the left circle while Levi was screened.

The Amerks rattled off three goals in the third period to tie the game and force overtime. They stole the first one back just 19 seconds into the third period. Joseph Cecconi sent the puck towards the next for Brandon Biro to redirect it in. Halfway through the frame, they scored again to cut the lead to one. Lukas Rousek centered the puck from along the goal line for Cecconi to chip in as he cut towards the net. At 14:48, Biro potted his second of the game as he tipped in a feed from Rousek.

Brett Murray scored the game-winner 11:45 into the overtime period to give Rochester the win.

The Crunch and Amerks will play Game 5 on Friday