By @MichaelCaples –
Game 1 goes to the Griffins – thanks to Tomas Nosek.
The Grand Rapids forward scored at the 19:46 mark of the third period to give the fans at Van Andel Arena a 3-2 victory to start the AHL Calder Cup Final with the Syracuse Crunch.
.@Nosy92 had himself a night netting the game-winning goal with just 13.9 seconds remaining in regulation. #GRvsSYR
GR lead series 1-0. pic.twitter.com/Y7aEI54LPB
— AHL (@TheAHL) June 3, 2017
Nosek also scored the game’s first goal, lighting the lamp at the 4:56 mark of the first period. The two tallies are his eighth and ninth of the postseason.
The first goal of the #CalderCup Finals goes to @Nosy92. #GRvsSYR pic.twitter.com/5GtNoPBScV
— AHL (@TheAHL) June 2, 2017
The Griffins fell behind 2-1 in the second period – with Michigan native and Wolverines alum Kevin Lynch scoring the Crunch’s first goal – before captain Nathan Paetsch tied the game late in the middle frame.
Captain Clutch. #GRvsSYR pic.twitter.com/wTun5yEIa0
— AHL (@TheAHL) June 3, 2017
Jared Coreau stopped 22 of the 24 shots sent his way.
Grand Rapids will try to build on their series lead tomorrow (Saturday) night, when the two teams square off in Game 2. Puck drops at 7 p.m.