Looking to come out firing after taking the loss in game one, it took 20 seconds for the returning William Nylander to try and make an impact, but his intended pass to Ben Smith waiting in the slot was deflected away. That was a close as the Marlies came in the opening eight minutes as Albany shut them down, limiting time and space in every zone.
Toronto were often careless in possession in the period, with Kapanen an early culprit as he gifted the puck away in his own zone. The saving grace was that it fell to noted enforcer Pierre-Luc Leblond, who Bibeau was able to turn aside with a right pad save.