SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Crunch registered four goals in the second period to push the team past the Rochester Americans, 4-1, in the home opener tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
 
Adam Erne led the Crunch with a goal and an assist, while Tye McGinn, Joel Vermin and Michael Bournival added a tally each. Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis made 20-saves in his first appearance. His counterpart, Amerks netminder Linus Ullmark, turned aside 40-of-44 shots. The Crunch went 1-for-4 on the power play and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
 
After a scoreless first period, the Crunch came out with a bang in the middle frame. While on the man-advantage, Erne won a battle in front of the net to open scoring for the team at the 3:55 mark. Dylan Blujus and Matthew Peca earned assists on the first tally. Ten minutes later, McGinn netted in a cross-crease pass from Erne to double the score.
 
Vermin and Bournival recorded back-to-back goals just 22 seconds apart to close out the second period with a 4-0 lead. Gabriel Dumont skated the puck into the zone before passing off to Corey Conacher. The winger's shot was turned aside, but Vermin was at the post to chip in the rebound. Bournival scored on a second-chance opportunity from the slot. Dumont and Jake Dotchin were credited with the helpers.
 
Justin Bailey slipped one past Gudlevskis early in the third period to put the Amerks on the board, but the Crunch held their opponent off for the remainder of the game to take their first win of the season.
 
The Crunch will travel to face the Amerks again tomorrow night at 5:05 p.m.
 
Ticket packages for the 2016-17 season are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch office located in the War Memorial Arena at 800 S. State St. 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 (@syracusecrunch) using #SyrCrunch, WeAreOne and BLUnited.
 
Crunchables: Cory Conacher earned his first point in a Crunch uniform since Jan. 11, 2013…Four players made their Crunch debut tonight: Michael Bournival, Mike Halmo, Erik Condra and Gabriel Dumont…Head Coach Benoit Groulx earned his first victory behind the bench for the Crunch.