Toronto and Utica exchanged punches like heavyweight boxers before the Marlies finally delivered the knockout blow in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
First Period
A bright start from the Comets was halted by a too-many-men penalty at the two-minute mark, but Toronto’s opening power play produced nothing of note. The Marlies did, however, grow into the game from that point, creating the first two scoring chances of the game.
Promoted onto a line with Trevor Moore and Miro Aaltonen, Jeremy Bracco forced Thatcher Demko into a good save during a 2-on-1 break before Adam Brooks brought another sharp pad save out of the Utica goaltender.