Syracuse, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Facing a three-goal deficit entering the final 20 minutes of play in an elimination game on the road, the Rochester Americans stormed back to force overtime, and eventually won to force a do-or-die Game 5 back on home ice.
Thanks to a pair of third period goals from Brandon Biro and an overtime tally from Brett Murray, the Amerks live to fight another day with a 4-3 win over the Syracuse Crunch at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial.
With a chance to win the best-of-5 series in four games on Saturday night, the Crunch jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just four minutes into the contest thanks to a goal from forward Cole Koepke.
Syracuse then added to its lead in the second period with a pair of goals in a 3:09 span from forwards Waltteri Merelä and Alex Barre-Boulet.
Needing an immediate response to begin the third period, the Amerks got just that with a goal from Biro 19 seconds into the final frame. He tapped in a shot/pass from defenseman Joseph Cecconi just to the right of Crunch goalie Brandon Halverson.
Just past the halfway point of the third period off a faceoff, the Amerks closed the gap to one goal as Cecconi jumped up into the play and tapped in a Lukas Rousek pass in front of Halverson to make it a 3-2 contest.
Then with 5:12 to go, the Amerks tied the game at 3-3 thanks to Biro, who went to the front of the net once again, and backhanded a "spin-o-rama" past Halverson off a feed from Rousek, who picked up his third assist.
Then past the halfway point of overtime, the Amerks managed to grab the game-winning goal from Murray, who was able to deposit a rebound into the back of the net off a point shot from defenseman Nikita Novikov.
After getting outshot 62-34 in a Game 3 overtime loss to the Crunch, the Amerks responded strongly in Game 4 with a 47-44 shot advantage.
Devon Levi was strong, once again, in goal for Rochester, turning away 41-of-44 shots faced. He has now ups his save percentage to .938, while his goals-against average is at a respectable 2.25.
Game 5 of the series now heads back to Rochester for the win-or-go home contest on Friday night at Blue Cross Arena. Faceoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET.
