Vinni Lettieri Leads Marlies Past Wolves In 4-2 Game 1, Sportsnet

sportsnet: Vinni Lettieri scored twice and finished with three points as the Toronto Marlies opened the Calder Cup final with a 4-2 win over the Chicago Wolves on June 12, 2026. His third-period goal at 11:32 broke a 2-2 tie, and he added an empty-netter with nine seconds left to seal Game 1 at Allstate Arena.

Lettieri breaks the tie

Toronto needed one clean finish to pull ahead, and Lettieri provided it after the teams had gone into the third period deadlocked at 2-2. The Marlies forward turned a one-goal swing into a two-goal cushion by scoring again late, giving Toronto the first game in the best-of-seven American Hockey League championship series.

Toronto’s first-period pace

The score was 1-1 after the first period, and both clubs kept trading chances from there. Ben Danford and Cedric Pare also scored for Toronto, while Bradly Nadeau and Skyler Brind’Amour scored for Chicago. The Wolves outshot the Marlies 28-25, but Toronto made the most of the final chances that mattered most.

Allstate Arena sets Game 2

Neither team found an edge on the power play, finishing 0-for-3. That left the game to be settled at even strength, where Lettieri’s third-period strike and late insurance goal made the difference. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday in Chicago, with Toronto carrying a 1-0 series lead back into the same building.