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Syracuse Crunch forward Ondrej Palat capped one of the most dramatic nights in franchise history with a series-winning overtime goal as the Crunch eliminated Portland with a 4-3 win on Thursday in the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Palat put home a rebound with 16.1 seconds left in the extra period to close out the best-of-five Eastern Conference quarterfinal three games to none. Palat also scored an extra-man goal with 1 minute, 12 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 3-3.

Defenseman Radko Gudas and forward Mike Angelidis also scored for Syracuse, the latter igniting a rally in which the Crunch potted a pair late in regulation to force the overtime.

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On a night when the Chocolate and White punched their ticket to the 2013 Calder Cup playoffs, the players also accepted their awards for their accomplishments in a Bears uniform this season.

Many Bears received awards for actions like “Unsung Hero,” awarded to Patrick McNeill, and the “John Travers/Steve Summers Memorial Award” for highest plus-minus, presented to Captain Boyd Kane. Kane also would receive “Man of the Year” as well as being named a finalist for the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as AHL Man of the Year.

Cameron Schilling would take home “Rookie of the Year,” and Garrett Mitchell would be named most improved player for the second year in a row. “You look back on the franchise we have here and the group of guys we have here this year,” said the 21 year old forward Mitchell. “It’s a huge honor to receive that.”

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Richard Panik's game-winning overtime goal lifted the Crunch over the Portland Pirates 4-3 tonight at the War Memorial Arena to open the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

After falling behind 3-1 the Crunch scored three unanswered goals to take a 1-0 series lead over Portland in their best-of-five first round matchup. The Crunch will host the Pirates again Sunday at 7:30 for Game 2.

Portland struck first with 10:53 gone in the first period. Darian Dziurzynski wrapped around the net and pushed the puck past Cedrick Desjardins while falling to put the Pirates up 1-0. Ethan Werek was credited with the lone assist.

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