Michael Pezzetta scored the go-ahead goal with 1:36 left in regulation to lift the visiting Toronto Marlies to a 4-2 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night.
The Marlies take a 1-0 lead into Game 2 on Friday evening (7:05 ET, ).
Pezzetta caught a shot from the top of the left-handed hitting circle Sergei Murashov and send the Marlies to their third straight win. Easton Cowan, William Villeneuve again Logan Shaw and call Toronto, Henry Thrun he got two assists as well Artur Akhtyamov (8-4) made 34 saves, allowing two goals or fewer nine times in his first 12 games.
Alexander Alexeyev again Rutger McGroarty beat the Penguins, dropping them to 3-3 on home ice this past season. Murashov (6-4) finished with 12 saves on 15 shots as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton outshot Toronto, 36-16.
The Marlies allowed the first goal of the game for the 10th time in 14 playoff contests, but earned their fifth straight postseason victory.
(Toronto leads series, 1-0)
Game 1 – Wed., May 27 – Toronto 4, WB/SCRANTON 2
Game 2 – Friday, May 29 – Toronto at WB/Scranton, 7:05
Game 3 – Mon., June 1 – WB/Scranton at Toronto, 7:00
Game 4 – Wed., June 3 – WB/Scranton at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 5 – Friday, June 5 – WB/Scranton at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 6 – Sun., June 7 – Toronto at WB/Scranton, 6:05
*Game 7 – Tue., June 9 – Toronto at WB/Scranton, 7:05
*if necessary… All times in Mpumalanga
