The Syracuse Crunch kicked off their quest for the Calder Cup with a solid 5-3 win in their opening game against the Laval Rocket. With the victory they take an early lead in the five-game series and maintain their home ice advantage. Max Lagace stopped 28 of 31 shots and Anthony Richard scored twice. Rookie Cole Koepke added a goal and an assist while Gemel Smith and Remi Elie also picked up goals.
Due to some injuries the Crunch started three rookies on defense. Nick Perbix would have been in no matter what but with Sean Day and Alex Green on the sidelines, Frank Hora and Declan Carlile were called upon to start the series.