Grand Rapids Defeats Syracuse 3-1 in Game One of the Calder Cup Finals

The Griffins were able to take Game 1 of the Calder  Cup Finals
from the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night.
Photo Courtesy: Grand Rapids Griffins Facebook Page

SYRACUSE, NY -- The hunt has officially began for the Calder Cup trophy. The Grand Rapids Griffins and Syracuse Crunch began game one on Saturday night from complete opposite postseason backgrounds. The Crunch have cruised to victories in their journey to the cup, going 11-1 this postseason. The Griffins, however, have gone deep in each series thus far in the postseason, including winning a seven game series in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Barons on Wednesday night. Immediately after the Game Seven victory, the Griffins began their travel to Syracuse for tonight's beginning of the Calder Cup Finals.

Mitch Callahan drew first blood for Grand Rapids just seven minutes into the first period after nice passes from Griffins defense men Chad Billins and Brennan Evans. The defense would then take over for the next two periods until Riley Sheahan rifled a shot past Crunch goaltender, Cedrick Desjardins to make it 2-0 Griffins with eight minutes remaining in the third period.

However, Syracuse would rally late when Jean-Philippe Cote beat Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek to put the Crunch on the board, 2-1 with under seven minutes remaining. Cote's goal would shift momentum in Syracuse's favor late in the third period. However, the Crunch could not get the puck past Petr Mrazek, who was back in his zone. With fourteen seconds remaining, Gustav Nyquist would add an empty net goal to make the final score 3-1 Griffins.

Despite being outshot 28-20 by Syracuse, the Griffins were able to pull out the Game one victory which will give Grand Rapids the momentum heading into game two on Sunday at 6 pm. Following tomorrow night's game two, the series will head back to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids for games three, four, and five.




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