Charlie Lindgren was solid between the pipes, turning aside 28 shots.
Nikita Scherbak opened the scoring for the IceCaps by completing a play involving both Charles Hudon and Jacob De La Rose in the first period. Chris Terry doubled the IceCaps' lead at the start of the second. Hudon also picked up an assist on the Terry goal for a two-point night.
The Crunch tried to mount a comeback at the end of the game when they were still down a goal. Tye McGinn lit the lamp in the middle of the third period, but Lindgren stymied Syracuse the rest of the way.
The IceCaps lead the series 1-0. Game 2 will be played on Saturday night in St. John's.
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