Cleveland hosts Toronto in Game 2 of the North Division finals tonight (7 ET, 
) after the Monsters let go from a 2-0 deficit to a 5-2 win over the Marlies in Thursday’s opener.
Toronto scored five unanswered goals in the final 22:08 of Game 1, with Easton Cowan again Marshall Rifai scoring a goal to tie the game before the second half again Alex Nylander, Ryan Tverberg again Bo Groulx converted three shots in the third period for the Marlies.
Groulx, who was held scoreless in Toronto’s five-game semifinal series against Laval, finished with a goal and two assists Thursday.
“I liked the last 25 minutes,” head coach Marlies John Gruden said after Game 1. “We were a completely different team. But credit to them, knowing that if we’re not at our best, we find a way to understand what it’s going to take. We changed it. But we have to start that way, especially in this five-game series. We’re not going to allow the team any life.”
Cleveland held a 23-8 advantage in shots on goal in addition to their 2-0 lead before Toronto started to break away.
“Until 35 minutes into the game, it felt like a great effort from my place,” the Monsters head coach. Trent Vogelhuber said. “They have a high level of skill…and they take advantage of opportunities. It’s unfortunate, the result, but (there are) a lot of good things to build on.”
Ben DanfordA first-round draft pick of the Maple Leafs in 2024, he entered the Marlies’ Game 1 roster to make his professional debut.
“He skates very well, he’s smart, he’s strong, he’s healthy,” Gruden said of the 20-year-old defenseman. “I thought he got stronger as the game went on. It’s going to take time, but coming in like your first AHL game was great.”
The Central Division finals continue tonight in Grand Rapids (7 ET, ) with Chicago looking to build on their 2-1 win in Game 1 on Thursday.
The captain of the wolves Josiah Slavin scored 6:48 into the third period to break a 1-1 tie and send Chicago to a Game 1 win. Cayden Primeau (4-2, 2.07, .924) turned away 23 shots, allowing one goal for the fourth time in his six playoff games.
“Our team came out ready to play,” said Slavin. “We started strong and they couldn’t handle our pressure. When we got that going, we were on top of them. I’m really happy with our team effort.”
“We gave up too many chances that put them in the game and made them feel good,” the Griffins defenseman said William Lagesson said. “We have to strengthen that and reposition ourselves and focus on what’s next.”
Michal Postava (3-2, 1.41, .943) made 30 saves for Grand Rapids. In his first start following a loss this season, Postava is 7-0-0 with a 1.29 GAA, a .947 save percentage and three shutouts.
“He just got a call,” the Griffins head coach said Dan Watson said. “You’re talking about the mental side of the game, that’s what it looks like when you’re ready to go.”
