TORONTO 2, MANITOBA 1
After leading Toronto with 28 regular-season goals, Tim Stapleton scored his first of the postseason in the third period on Sunday to break a 1-1 tie and send the Marlies to a 2-1 win over Manitoba in Game 3 of their North Division semifinal at Ricoh Coliseum.
The fourth-seeded Marlies now lead the series, 2-1.
Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the first period when Ryan Hamilton scored on the power play at 6:17, with assists going to Alex Foster and Andre Deveaux.
It remained a 1-0 game until Moose forward Alexandre Bolduc tallied the equalizer with 3:12 to play in the second frame. Dusty Collins and Manitoba captain Mike Keane earned the helpers.
Stapleton’s game-winner was his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal, and it was assisted by veteran Bates Battaglia and second-year pro Jiri Tlusty.
Marlies goaltender Justin Pogge earned the win with 30 saves on 31 shots, while Manitoba’s Cory Schneider stopped 26 shots in the losing effort.
Toronto will go for a commanding 3-1 series lead when it hosts Game 4 on Tuesday night.
