Toronto scored five unanswered goals en route to a 5-2 road victory over Cleveland in Game 1 of the teams’ North Division finals series at Rocket Arena on Thursday evening.
The Monsters host Game 2 on Saturday looking to square the best-of-five series before heading to Toronto for Games 3 and 4.
With the Marlies trailing 2-0 late in the second period, Easton Cowan started the comeback with a power-play goal at the 17:52 mark. Marshall Rifai then tied the game with 6.3 seconds left before intermission, and Alex Nylander gave Toronto its first lead 2:15 into the third period.
Ryan Tverberg added his third goal of the postseason and Artur Akhtyamov (5-2) finished with 32 saves to help Toronto to the win. Bo Groulx recorded an empty-net goal late to go along with two assists.
Hudson Fasching and Hunter McKown scored for the Monsters.
(Toronto leads series, 1-0)
Game 1 – Thu., May 14 – Toronto 5, CLEVELAND 2
Game 2 – Sat., May 16 – Toronto at Cleveland, 7:00
Game 3 – Wed., May 20 – Cleveland at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 4 – Fri., May 22 – Cleveland at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sun., May 24 – Toronto at Cleveland, 3:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
