Three power-play goals in a span of 3:43 during the second period propelled the Toronto Marlies to a 5-2 victory over Cleveland in Game 1 of the North Division Finals on Wednesday night.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Friday night.
The Monsters held a 2-1 lead before Chris Mueller (11:59), Dmytro Timashov (14:13) and Trevor Moore (15:42) scored following consecutive Cleveland penalties.
Moore added his second goal of the night into an empty net with 15.5 seconds remaining, another power-play marker that made Toronto 4-for-7 on the night.
Jeremy Bracco tied a franchise playoff record with four assists, Pierre Engvall scored his first goal of the postseason and Kasimir Kaskisuo (4-0) finished with 14 saves. The Marlies held Cleveland to 16 shots on goal while playing most of the game with five defensemen after Calle Rosen left early in the first period with an apparent injury.
Tommy Cross and Mark Letestu recorded a goal and an assist each for Cleveland. Brad Thiessen (3-2) stopped 21 shots in the loss.
North Division Finals – Series “J” (best-of-7)
N3-Toronto Marlies vs. N4-Cleveland Monsters
Game 1 – Wed., May 1 – TORONTO 5, Cleveland 2
Game 2 – Fri., May 3 – Cleveland at Toronto, 7:00
Game 3 – Sun., May 5 – Toronto at Cleveland, 3:00
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
