Jeremy Bracco scored his second goal of the day 2:20 into overtime as Toronto defeated Rochester, 3-2, in Game 2 of the teams’ North Division semifinal on Sunday afternoon.
The defending Calder Cup champion Marlies now own a 2-0 lead with the series shifting to Toronto for Game 3 on Wednesday.
C.J. Smith and Kevin Porter staked the Amerks to a 2-0 lead with second-period goals, and Rochester held a 30-12 edge in shots after 40 minutes.
But the Marlies came alive early in the third, as Chris Mueller netted his third goal of the series on a power play just 59 seconds into the final frame, and Bracco tied things up at the 1:54 mark.
Bracco netted the game-winner after taking a feed from Mueller, racing up the right wing and slipping a backhand past Scott Wedgewood.
Toronto improved to 8-0 all-time in the postseason against Rochester with the victory.
Kasimir Kaskisuo turned aside 40 shots in the win for the Marlies.
North Division Semifinals – Series “D” (best-of-5)
N2-Rochester Americans vs. N3-Toronto Marlies
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 19 – Toronto 4, ROCHESTER 1 | Recap
Game 2 – Sun., Apr. 21 – Toronto 3, ROCHESTER 2 (OT)
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 24 – Rochester at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 26 – Rochester at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sun., Apr. 28 – Toronto at Rochester, 5:05
*if necessary… All times Eastern