Toronto Marlies Struggle to Hold Lead in Loss to Cleveland
The Toronto Marlies faced a frustrating defeat against Cleveland, as they let a 2-1 lead slip away in the third period, ultimately falling 4-2. Head coach John Gruden expressed his disappointment, highlighting the team's discomfort with maintaining a lead and emphasizing the need for quick improvements.
First Period: Marlies Take Early Advantage
The Marlies started strong, capitalizing on a Cleveland miscue to take the lead five minutes in. Blake Smith's play in the neutral zone set up Ryan Tverberg, who drove down the right wing and delivered a pass that deflected off a Cleveland defender into the net.
Despite controlling possession, the Marlies couldn't extend their lead, missing a power-play opportunity. Goaltender Artur Akhtyamov stood firm, keeping Cleveland at bay and preserving the 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Second Period: A Back-and-Forth Battle
Cleveland quickly equalized just 17 seconds into the second period. After some scrappy play behind the net, Luca Del Bel Belluz found the back of the net amidst traffic.
The Marlies responded with intensity, drawing a penalty and creating several chances, but were unable to convert. Despite some defensive lapses, including turnovers by Cedric Paré, Toronto regained the lead late in the period.
Tverberg, showing his playmaking prowess, set up Bo Groulx for a one-time finish, putting the Marlies ahead 2-1.
Third Period: Marlies Collapse Under Pressure
The third period saw the Marlies generate just one high-danger chance, as their defensive struggles resurfaced. Missed assignments led to two quick goals from Cleveland, with Jack Williams and Owen Sillinger finding the net.
The Marlies' defense faltered, allowing Cleveland to capitalize on opportunities. A late goal by Zach Aston-Reese sealed the victory for Cleveland, as Toronto's William Villenueve couldn't prevent the final blow, visibly expressing his frustration.
Post-Game Reflections
The loss drops the Marlies to fifth in the North Division, holding onto the final playoff spot. Ryan Tverberg continues to shine, contributing five points in his last four games, including a goal and an assist in this matchup. As they prepare for the rematch on Saturday, the Marlies must address their late-game issues to avoid falling further behind in the standings.
Friday’s Lineup:
Forwards:
- Groulx - Shaw - Tverberg
- Paré - Quillan - Nylander
- Barbolini - Haymes - King
- Pezzetta - Johnstone - Johnson
Goaltenders:
- Akhtyamov
- Hildeby
As the Marlies look to rebound, the focus will be on tightening up their defensive play and finding the resilience needed to secure leads and close out games.