The Toronto Marlies continue to perfect the art of leaving things until the last minute, as Michael Pezzetta scored the game-winning goal with just 1:36 remaining in the third period to secure a 4-2 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Game 1 of the AHL's Eastern Conference final on Wednesday night.
Pezzetta's second goal of the Calder Cup playoffs broke a 2-2 tie and proved to be the decisive marker. Marlies captain Logan Shaw added an empty-net goal with 47 seconds left to seal the win in the best-of-seven series opener.
Another Late Heroics
The dramatic finish came just three nights after Easton Cowan scored with 12 seconds remaining in the third period to give the Marlies a 3-2 win in a deciding Game 5 of the North Division final against the Cleveland Monsters.
Marlies goaltender Artur Akhtyamov was once again a key factor, stopping 34 of 36 Penguins shots. His counterpart, Sergei Murashov, allowed three goals on 15 Toronto shots.
Game Summary
The Penguins opened the scoring late in the first period when Alex Alexeyev found the back of the net. Cowan responded early in the second, ripping a shot from the slot past Murashov at 1:38 to tie the game.
Defenceman William Villeneuve gave the Marlies their first lead with a power-play goal at 16:56 of the second period. However, Rutger McGroarty tied the game again at 6:01 of the third period, setting the stage for Pezzetta's heroics.
Marlies defenceman Henry Thrun contributed two assists in the victory.
Series Schedule
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza before the series shifts to the Coca-Cola Coliseum for Games 3 and 4 next Monday and Wednesday, respectively. If a Game 5 is necessary, it will be played in Toronto next Friday.
In the Western Conference final, the Colorado Eagles will face the Chicago Wolves, affiliates of the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes, starting Thursday in Loveland, Colorado.
