The Toronto Marlies hoped to extend their series lead to 2-0 on Sunday when they visited the Blue Cross Arena for game two of the North Division semifinals. After going down 2-0 in the second period, the Marlies battled back with three unanswered goals to take game two by a final score of 3-2.
From the drop of the puck, it was clear Rochester came ready to play as they looked to even the series. Â They tested Toronto goaltender, Kasimir Kaskisuo early and often but he stood tall between the pipes and make some key saves to keep the Americans off the board. The Americans outshot the Marlies 18-7 in the opening frame.
Rochester’s C.J. Smith potted the opening goal at 4:05 of the second period, assisted by Wayne Simpson. Late in the frame, Kevin Porter extended the home team’s lead to 2-0, assisted by Simpson and Gosselin. Shots on goal in the second period were 12-5 in favour of the Americans.
Toronto saw an early opportunity on the power play in the third period as Kevin Porter was called for slashing. The Marlies capitalized on the man-advantage as Chris Mueller lifted the puck over Scott Wedgewood to get the Marlies on the board. Jeremy Bracco and Rasmus Sandin picked up the assists. Less than a minute later, Bracco found the loose puck in the crease and buried it to even the score 2-2. Vincent LoVerde and Pierre Engvall assisted on Bracco’s first of the postseason. The score stayed locked at 2-2 through the remainder of regulation, sending things to overtime.
Bracco sealed the deal in overtime with an amazing display of patience to wait out the Amerks defense before finding the back of the open cage. Mueller and Dmytro Timashov recorded the assists on the goal.
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