Byron Froese scored late in the second period and Syracuse held on for a 3-2 win over St. John’s on Wednesday to take a 2-1 lead in the teams’ North Division semifinal series.
The Crunch can close out the IceCaps with a win in Game 4 on Friday.
Froese’s goal was his first of the series after scoring 27 goals in the regular season.
Joel Vermin and Erik Condra scored less than two minutes apart to give Syracuse a 2-0 lead in the opening period, but Zach Redmond and Stefan Matteau responded with goals in a 28-second span during the second period to draw St. John’s even.
The third period was scoreless, with Mike McKenna making nine of his 26 saves in the final frame to preserve the win.
Charlie Lindgren registered 22 saves for the IceCaps.
North Division Semifinals – Series “C” (best-of-5)
N1-Syracuse Crunch vs. N4-St. John’s IceCaps
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 21 – ST. JOHN’S 2, Syracuse 1
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 22 – Syracuse 4, ST. JOHN’S 3 (2OT)
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 26 – SYRACUSE 3, St. John’s 2
Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 28 – St. John’s at Syracuse, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 29 – St. John’s at Syracuse, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
