The Toronto Marlies faced a devastating 4-3 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday night, squandering a two-goal lead in the first period at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Eastern Conference final is now tied 2-2, with Game 5 scheduled for Friday in Toronto and Game 6 back in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.
Marlies coach John Gruden had described Game 4 as a 'must-win' after Game 3, but his team could not hold on. With three minutes remaining in the third period, a turnover by Easton Cowan in the defensive zone led to Rutger McGroarty scoring the game-winner past goalie Artur Akhtyamov.
The Marlies had taken a 2-0 lead in the first period. Bo Groulx opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 4:19 after Penguins goalie Sergei Murashov misplayed a dump-in. Later, Cowan set up Vinni Lettieri for a power-play goal at 14:14, with Lettieri beating Murashov between the legs.
However, the Penguins stormed back in the second period with three goals. Scooter Brickey and Chase Pietila scored on point shots that screened Akhtyamov, and Gabe Klassen added the go-ahead goal from the crease in the final minute of the period.
In the third period, Luke Haymes tied the game 3-3 on a power-play goal at 13:04. The goal was initially waved off but upheld after officials conferred. Haymes one-timed the puck past Murashov during a scramble.
Cowan returned to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury and made an immediate impact with an assist. The series now shifts back to Toronto for a crucial Game 5.
