The Springfield Thunderbirds did what they needed to do in Chicago and that is to win a game and get home ice advantage the rest of the way.
Tommy Cross scored his third goal of the playoffs when he took advantage of a clearing pass that was fanned on in the middle of the ice by the Wolves defense and whistled a shot by goaltender Alex Lyon to tie game one at 4.
In the extra session, it was a fairly quick end. With the Thunderbirds applying pressure Tommy Cross lugged the puck to the top of the left wing circled, hit Matt Kessell with a perfect pass who wristed past a stunned Lyon for the game winner.
Springfield leads the best of seven final a game to none. There were 6, 214 people at the All State Arena.
Springfield outshot Chicago in the overtime 5-2. But they were outshot for the game 37-35.
Game two is tonight at 7:45 with the pregame show on Newsradio 560 WHYN.
(Graphic with thanks Springfield Thunderbirds)