The Toronto Marlies defeated the Chicago Wolves 4-2 in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals on Friday night in Rosemont, Illinois.
Vinni Lettieri scored the go-ahead goal with 8:28 remaining in regulation to break a 2-2 tie. He also recorded an assist on Toronto’s first goal and added an empty-netter in the final minute.
Chicago had taken leads twice, first on Bradly Nadeau’s goal at 11:24 of the opening period and again on Skyler Brind’Amour’s 2-on-1 tally early in the second. Toronto responded each time, with Ben Danford’s first professional goal and a late-period strike from Cédric Paré.
Artur Akhtyamov made 26 saves for the Marlies while Amir Miftakhov stopped 21 shots for Chicago. Toronto leads the best-of-seven series 1-0.
