SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Kevin Lynch scored in the third period to force overtime before the Syracuse Crunch fell short in their rematch against the Rochester Americans, 3-2, in the 2017-18 home opener tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
 
Ben Thomas led the team with two assists, helping both Cory Conacher and Lynch. Matthew Peca and Mitchell Stephens recorded one point each. The Crunch are now on a two-game slide to start the season.
 
Connor Ingram had 15 saves in his first regular season start with the Crunch. Adam Wilcox secured the win stopping 24-of-26. The Crunch failed to score on six power play opportunities, while the Americans went 1-for-4 on the man-advantage.
 
The Amerks opened scoring halfway through the first period with a shot from the high slot that beat Ingram five-hole. C.J. Smith netted the goal off assists from Zach Redmond and Taylor Fedun. Six minutes later, Conacher cut across the zone and dropped the puck to Thomas for a give-and-go. The winger netted the return feed from the right circle to tie the game. Peca earned the secondary assist.
 
Kyle Criscuolo answered back for the Amerks early in the second period. C.J. Smith picked up the puck at the top of the right circle and sent the centering feed for Criscuolo to reclaim the lead, 2-1.
 
The Crunch knotted it up for a second time at the 11:51 mark of the third period to eventually force overtime. Stephens fed the puck across the slot to Lynch, who was alone at the backdoor. Thomas earned a point for the secondary.
 
Kevin Porter ended the game just 40 seconds into overtime with an unassisted marker to give Rochester their second consecutive win against Syracuse.
 
The Crunch host the Belleville Senators this Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 pm.
 
Single game tickets and packages for the 2017-18 season are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the Crunch office located inside the War Memorial Arena at 800 S. State St. in Syracuse, 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.
 
Crunchables: Ben Thomas and Mitchell Stephens lead the Crunch with two points each…Ben Thomas has four multi-point games in last 24 games with the Crunch, dating back to the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs.