Vinni Lettieri's goal at 11:32 of the third period snapped a 2-2 deadlock and lifted the visiting Toronto Marlies to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Wolves in the opening game of the Calder Cup final on Friday at Allstate Arena.
Ben Danford and Cedric Pare also scored for the Marlies, while Lettieri — who finished with three points — scored into an empty net with nine seconds left and the Wolves pressing for the equalizer.
Bradly Nadeau and Skyler Brind'Amour scored for the Wolves, who outshot the visitors 28-25. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play.
The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period and 2-2 heading into the third.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven American Hockey League championship series is Sunday in Chicago.