P-BRUINS FALL TO CRUNCH IN FINAL MINUTES

Jan 19, 2024

Syracuse, NY - A late third period tally broke the tie game as the Providence Bruins fell to the Syracuse Crunch 4-2 on Friday night at Upstate Medical University Arena. Reilly Walsh scored a power play goal, while Georgii Merkulov netted the other goal for the P-Bruins. 

 

How It Happened

• 2:25 into the game, Jack Finley found a rebound off the goaltender’s pads at the left post and put it into the back of the net, giving the Crunch a 1-0 lead.
• While on the power play, Frederic Brunet sent a pass from the left corner to Walsh cutting down the slot, where he wristed a shot into the upper-left corner of the net, tying the game at 1-1 with 3:17 to play in the first frame. Brett Harrisonwas credited with the secondary assist. 
• From behind the cage, Justin Brazeau spun around and zipped a pass to Merkulov in the low slot, who one-timed the feed past the glove of the goaltender, giving the P-Bruins a 2-1 lead with 7:31 left in the second period. Alec Regulareceived an assist as well. 
• 31 seconds into the third period, Cole Koepke walked the puck down the left wing and fired a shot from the left circle off the crossbar and across the goal line, tying the game at 2-2. 
• With 1:30 remaining in the third period, Declan Carlile’s shot from the left circle whistled inside the far post, giving the Crunch a 3-2 lead. 
• With 27 seconds left in the third period, Jack Thompson scored on the empty net goal from his own defensive zone, extending the Syracuse lead to 4-2. 

 

Stats

• Merkulov has points in each of his last five games with seven total in the streak. He leads the team with 16 goals and 35 points. 
• Goaltender Michael DiPietro stopped 29 of the 26 shots he faced. The P-Bruins totaled 18 shots. 
• The Providence power play went 1-for-5, and the penalty kill was 3-for-3.

 

Up Next

The Providence Bruins host the Bridgeport Islanders on Sunday, January 21 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Puck drop is set for 3:05 P.M.