Holl of a finish for Marlies

Photo: Graig Abel

Justin Holl scored 6:43 into the third overtime period, sending the Toronto Marlies into the second round with a 2-1 victory over the Albany Devils at Ricoh Coliseum on Friday night.

Holl’s shot through traffic from the center point eluded Mackenzie Blackwood and ended the Devils’ season on Ricoh ice for the second consecutive spring.

Toronto will meet Syracuse in the North Division Finals beginning next Friday evening.

Holl, who finished the series with one goal and five assists in four games, ended the four-hour, 29-minute marathon on the Marlies’ 60th shot of the game. Blackwood (58 saves) shut out the Toronto for 97:48 between Travis Dermott‘s goal 8:55 into the opening period and Holl’s winner.

Kasimir Kaskisuo finished the night with 30 stops, allowing only Carter Camper‘s goal late in the second period.

With 46:43 of overtime played, the contest was the 12th-longest game in Calder Cup Playoffs history.

North Division Semifinals – Series “D” (best-of-5)
N2-Toronto Marlies vs. N3-Albany Devils
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 20 – ALBANY 3, Toronto 0
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 22 – Toronto 6, ALBANY 2
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 26 – TORONTO 3, Albany 2 (OT)
Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 28 – TORONTO 2, Albany 1 (3OT)