Frederik Gauthier scored with 15:10 gone in the second overtime period on Saturday evening, lifting the Toronto Marlies to a 2-1 win over Syracuse and a 2-0 series lead in the North Division Finals.
The teams go right back at it on Sunday evening in Syracuse (7 p.m. ET).
Gauthier gathered a rebound at the bottom of the left wing circle and from his knees lifted a shot over a sprawling Connor Ingram to end the 4-hour, 5-minute marathon. At 95:10 of playing time, it was the longest game in Crunch history and the third-longest ever for the Marlies.
Fee-fi-phenomenal!
Frederik Gauthier with a ridiculous shot to give the #Marlies a 2-1 win in double overtime.#MarliesLive #ThisIsMore pic.twitter.com/Tx3pp1UE1u
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) May 6, 2018
Ingram (1-1) made 55 saves in the loss as Toronto finished with a 57-47 advantage in shots — including a 42-21 edge in the second and third periods plus the first overtime.
Garret Sparks (5-2) stopped 46 of 47 shots, shutting out Syracuse over the final 65:45 of the game and improving to 5-0 at Ricoh Coliseum this postseason.
Matthew Peca scored for the Crunch, his third goal and league-leading ninth point of the playoffs.
Mason Marchment tied it for the Marlies with 13:08 left in regulation.
North Division Finals – Series “J” (best-of-7)
N1-Toronto Marlies vs. N2-Syracuse Crunch
Game 1 – Thu., May 3 – TORONTO 6, Syracuse 4 | Recap
Game 2 – Sat., May 5 – TORONTO 2, Syracuse 1 (2OT)
Game 3 – Sun., May 6 – Toronto at Syracuse, 7:00
Game 4 – Tue., May 8 – Toronto at Syracuse, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., May 12 – Syracuse at Toronto, 4:00
*Game 6 – Mon., May 14 – Toronto at Syracuse, 7:00
*Game 7 – Wed., May 16 – Syracuse at Toronto, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
