The Syracuse Crunch were downed by the Utica Comets, 2-1, in the team’s 28th home opener tonight at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
The Crunch have dropped three straight and sit at 1-2-1-0 on the season.
Goaltender Hugo Alnefelt stopped 28-of-30 shots in net for the Crunch, while Akira Schmid turned aside 32-of-33 between the pipes for the Comets. Syracuse was unable to convert on four power play opportunities, but went a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Gage Goncalves opened scoring for the Crunch 2:51 into the game when he tipped Alex Green’s right point shot.
The Comets evened the score halfway through second period when Alexander Holtz skated in and fired a wrister from the left circle. With 52 seconds remaining in the period, Nate Schnarr jammed the puck past Alnefelt for the eventual game-winner.
The Crunch were unable to final the equalizer and fell to the Comets. The team is back in action when they travel to face the Hershey Bears on Wednesday.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.