The Marlies did not get the start they wanted tonight, finding themselves in an early hole when Cleveland’s Dillon Simpson notched back-to-back goals at 1:28 and 3:37 of the opening frame. Although the speedy two-goal lead stunned the Marlies, they were quick to respond as Trevor Moore found the back of the net to get the Marlies on the board and cut Cleveland’s early lead in half. Timothy Liljegren and Nic Petan assisted on the goal. Shots on goal in the opening frame were 12-11 in favour of the home team, who led by one after 20 minutes of play.
Trey Fix-Wolansky restored Cleveland’s two-goal lead at 6:35 of the second period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity. It was the lone goal of the frame and gave the Monsters a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.
The Marlies peppered Monsters’ goaltender, Matiss Kivlenieks with 14 shots in the third period, but couldn’t find the back of the net until late in the frame when Nic Petan sent a pass through traffic to Jeremy Bracco who wired a wrist shot top shelf from the hash marks. The goal brought the Marlies within one with 1:44 remaining in the period. Kasimir Kaskisuo left the crease to allow for an extra attacker as Toronto looked to force things into overtime, but the Marlies couldn’t keep possession and the Monsters added two empty net goals in the final minute to seal a 5-2 win.
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