Pelletier’s Late Goal, Groshev Shootout Winner Lift Syracuse to Third Straight

Syracuse pulled out a 3-2 shootout victory over the Rochester Americans at Upstate Medical University Arena, a result that underlines the Crunch’s growing momentum in a tight North Division race. The win marked Syracuse’s third straight and came after a late-game equalizer and a scoreless overtime, with Max Groshev converting in the third round of the shootout.

Conor Geekie opened the scoring for Syracuse in the first period, giving the Crunch an early edge. Rochester responded with a two-goal second period, as Jake Leschyshyn and Zac Jones flipped the script and put the Americans ahead 2-1. Jakob Pelletier erased that lead late in the third with a precision snipe from the left wing that forced overtime and ultimately kept Syracuse’s surge alive. After neither team could break through in the extra frame, Groshev settled matters in the shootout’s third round.

Goaltending set the tone for much of the night. Ryan Fanti finished with 30 saves and denied all three shootout attempts, while Devon Levi turned aside 28 shots for Rochester. The numbers reflect a classic AHL duel where goaltenders and opportunistic scoring play outsized roles in outcomes and in shaping which prospects receive attention from NHL affiliates.

This game carries implications beyond a single win. In a division where standing points are at a premium, every earned point can be the difference between home-ice and a long bus ride in April. Syracuse’s third straight victory provides tangible momentum for the locker room and a narrative boost for fans who track player development and call-up potential. For Rochester, the two points from regulation escaped them, but the Americans still collected a standing point that keeps them competitive in the divisional mix.

From an industry perspective, the contest highlights recurring trends in the AHL: tight defensive structures, reliance on goaltending, and the growing significance of shootouts in determining standings. These factors affect roster decisions at the parent-club level and can influence when prospects are promoted or veteran depth is shifted. Locally, seasons like this drive community engagement, ticket demand, and the small-market economics that sustain midweek rivalries.

For Syracuse, the immediate outlook is momentum and a reinforced belief in late-game resilience. For fans and stakeholders watching the North Division, the result is a reminder that every point matters as the schedule grinds toward the stretch run and roster moves begin to accelerate.