The Toronto Marlies are one win away from a return to AHL’s final four following a 2-0 win over Cleveland in Game 3 of the North Division Finals on Sunday afternoon.
The Marlies improved to 6-0 in the postseason and now have a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. They can sweep the Monsters with another win in Game 4 on Tuesday.
Kasimir Kaskisuo made 35 saves for his first shutout of the playoffs. Kaskisuo has stopped 84 of 89 Cleveland shots in the series (.944) and 181 of 190 shots overall this postseason (6-0, 1.49, .953).
Adam Brooks scored at 13:24 of the first period to give Toronto a 1-0 lead, his first goal of the series and fifth of the playoffs. Brooks took a back-door pass from Trevor Moore and fired the puck past Brad Thiessen from the side of the cage.
Dmytro Timashov added his second goal of the series into an empty net with 30.2 seconds left in regulation.
Thiessen (3-4) stopped 24 of 25 shots for Cleveland.
North Division Finals – Series “J” (best-of-7)
N3-Toronto Marlies vs. N4-Cleveland Monsters
Game 1 – Wed., May 1 – TORONTO 5, Cleveland 2 | Recap
Game 2 – Fri., May 3 – TORONTO 4, Cleveland 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 3 – Sun., May 5 – Toronto 2, CLEVELAND 0
Game 4 – Tue., May 7 – Toronto at Cleveland, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., May 11 – Cleveland at Toronto, 4:00
*Game 6 – Mon., May 13 – Toronto at Cleveland, 7:00
*Game 7 – Wed., May 15 – Cleveland at Toronto, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
