The Marlies had no one to blame but themselves, as far too many individual errors coupled with ill-discipline led to their first defeat in eight games.
The fireworks of the six-goal first period on Saturday night were nowhere be found in Sunday’s opening frame.
Hat-trick hero Brendan Leipsic started his game brightly, working his way out of a tight spot to take three opponents out of the play. Leipsic dropped the puck to Frederik Gauthier, whose shot was well blocked.
Garret Sparks, starting his first Marlies game since November after an injury with the big club, made an easy enough first save at the two-minute mark.