Vinni Lettieri Sparks Toronto Marlies 4-2 Win in Game 1

Vinni Lettieri drove the toronto marlies to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Wolves in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals on June 13. Toronto now leads the best-of-seven series 1-0 after getting goals from four different scoring events, including Lettieri’s game-winner and empty-netter.

Lettieri Drives Toronto

Lettieri finished with a four-point night, scoring at 11:32 of the third period to break a 2-2 tie and then adding the empty-net goal at 19:51. He also had the primary assist on Ben Danford’s first-period goal, and he led the Marlies with six shots on net.

Danford scored his first professional goal at 17:45 of the first period, giving Toronto the opening strike, and Cédric Paré added the other goal at 19:10 of the second period. Those three markers gave the Marlies a lead they did not surrender, even after Chicago matched them on the shot clock.

Akhtyamov Holds Firm

Artur Akhtyamov stopped 26 of 28 shots as Toronto survived a 28-25 deficit in shots. The Marlies also went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, a clean stretch that kept Chicago from turning pressure into a bigger swing, even though Toronto finished 0-for-3 on the power play.

Series Shifts To Chicago

The result leaves Toronto one win ahead in the series and sends the next game to Chicago on Sunday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Game 3 follows on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET, with Game 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 18, Game 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19, Game 6 in Chicago on Sunday, June 21 at 3:00 p.m. CT, and Game 7 in Chicago on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. CT.