Monsters take playoff opener from Syracuse

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Monsters scored three times in the opening period then had to hold on for their first playoff win of the year. Syracuse scored one goal in the second and another in the third to make the game interesting, but they could never get the game tied.

Justin Pearson, Will Butcher and Corson Ceulemans all scored in that opening period and Zach Sawchenko made it hold up. The Monsters netminder stopped 29 of 31 shots on goal in the win.

The Monsters lead the best-of-three playoff series with Game 2 at Rocket Arena on Sunday.