The opening three minutes personified the difference between the teams. Pyotr Kochetkov denied Borya Valis' five-hole attempt after the rookie escaped on a partial breakaway. 30 seconds later, the Wolves' Evan Vierling scored alone in front as Chicago won the battle behind the goal line in what was a learning moment for Blake Smith. Cedric Paré had the opportunity to answer immediately but was unable to bury from the heart of the slot.
Bo Groulx drew a tripping penalty inside two minutes in what looked to be a positive start for the Marlies, but the resulting power play lacked fluency and didn't record a shot on goal. Belleville broke the deadlock at the eight-minute mark with a speculative effort. Carter Yakemchuk drove through the right circle and shot low from an acute angle. The puck took a slight deflection off a skate in front, but it's one Artur Akhtyamov would want back.