The Cleveland Monsters scored three goals in the first period to secure a 3-2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch in Game 1 of their best-of-five North Division semifinal series on Friday, April 24. Cleveland now leads the series 1-0. The next game is set for Sunday in Cleveland.
Cleveland Monsters jumped out to a quick lead, netting three goals in the first period against Syracuse Crunch goaltender Jon Gillies, who was appearing in his first Calder Cup Playoff game since 2017. Justin Pearson, Will Butcher and Corson Ceulemans scored for the Monsters, converting three of their six shots on goal during that frame, as reported by TheAHL.com. The Crunch outshot Cleveland 31-15 overall but couldn't overcome the early deficit. Dylan Duke and Mitchell Chaffee tallied Syracuse's goals. Cleveland goaltender Zach Sawchenko preserved the win with 16 saves in the third period alone, finishing with 29 total stops. Syracuse's Brandon Halverson stopped all nine shots he faced in relief of Gillies during two periods. The series shifts to Game 2 on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET in Cleveland, followed by potential games in Syracuse starting May 1. Cleveland holds home-ice advantage for the first two contests.
