Early Lead Vanishes as Amerks Fall 5-3 in Syracuse

SYRACUSE, NY — The Rochester Americans (27-25-5-3) exploded for three goals in the opening frame to erase an early deficit, but a scoreless final forty minutes allowed the Syracuse Crunch (39-20-3-2) to storm back for a 5-3 victory on Saturday night. The loss at Upstate Medical University Arena marks the front end of a home-and-home weekend series between the two North Division rivals.

The high-event matchup featured a combined 55 shots, 28 penalty minutes, and four power-play tallies. In a rare statistical anomaly, both teams were awarded penalty shots in the same contest—a first in Syracuse Crunch franchise history.

Opening Period Fireworks

The game began at a breakneck pace with Syracuse jumping out to a 2-0 lead within the first five minutes. Jakob Pelletier opened the scoring just 23 seconds in with his 27th of the year, followed shortly by an Ethan Gauthier point shot that found its way through traffic.

Rochester responded with a physical spark following a heavyweight bout between Mason Geertsen and Jarred Tinordi. The Amerks’ special teams then took over:

• Olivier Nadeau cut the lead in half on the power play, redirecting a Zac Jones blast for his ninth of the season.
• Riley Fiddler-Schultz evened the score at 2-2 after a slick passing sequence involving Jagger Joshua and Ryan Johnson.
• Zac Jones gave Rochester its only lead of the night with just three minutes left in the period, hammering home a cross-ice feed from Konsta Helenius only three seconds into a man-advantage.

Stalemate and Penalty Shot Drama

After a frantic first, the second period turned into a defensive battle. Rochester had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when Jake Leschyshyn was awarded a penalty shot, but Syracuse netminder Ryan Fanti made the save to keep the score 3-2.

The script flipped early in the third when Syracuse earned their own penalty shot just 19 seconds in. Amerks rookie goaltender Scott Ratzlaff stood tall, denying Matthew Peca to maintain the slim Rochester lead.

Crunch Surge Late

The Syracuse power play eventually broke through at the five-minute mark of the third, as Mitchell Chaffee knotted the game at 3-3. With momentum swinging, Cooper Flinton delivered the decisive blow at 12:40, cutting through the crease to beat Ratzlaff over the glove for the game-winner.

Despite pulling Ratzlaff for an extra attacker in the final three minutes, Rochester couldn’t find the equalizer. Matteo Pietroniro iced the game with an empty-netter in the final second.

Stat Central

• Multi-Point Nights: Riley Fiddler-Schultz (1G, 2A) and Zac Jones (1G, 1A) led the way for Rochester.
• Between the Pipes: Scott Ratzlaff finished with 27 saves on 31 shots in his 10th pro appearance.
• Special Teams Battle: Both teams finished 2-for-4 on the power play.
• The Rivalry: Rochester is now winless in their last four meetings against the Crunch.

Up Next

The Amerks won’t have to wait long for a shot at redemption. The series shifts to the Blue Cross Arena tomorrow, Sunday, March 29, for a 3:05 PM matinee to wrap up the month.