SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Erik Westrum's shootout goal and Jean-Francois Racine's 43 saves helped the Toronto Marlies to a 2-1 win over the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night in American Hockey League action.
Racine stopped eight Syracuse shots in overtime and then turned aside all five of the Crunch chances in the shootout to earn the win.
Westrum beat Tomas Popperle on Toronto's first shootout attempt. Brad Leeb broke the scoreless game for Toronto (30-36-2-4) with a power play goal nearly nine minutes into the second period.
Curtis Glencross forced overtime when he notched a power play goal of his own for Syracuse (30-32-3-8) with just over six minutes remaining in the third period.
The Syracuse loss coupled with Grand Rapids' win over Chicago leaves the Crunch 10 points out of the final playoff spot in the North Division with only seven games remaining in the season. Toronto, last in the North Division, sits a distant 15 points behind Grand Rapids.