It is the first real bout of adversity the Marlies have faced this season, as the goal scoring has dried up of late.
First Period
The tone was set in the opening 30 seconds when Toronto generated a turnover inside the Utica zone but Andreas Johnsson failed to hit the target in space from the hashmarks.
Utica lost the resulting face-off but out-battled Toronto for possession in the neutral zone. Jayson Megna broke in down the left wing unattended and fired home far side on Calvin Pickard to open the scoring.
Toronto responded with a tying goal 3:48 into the period, moments after Pickard made an excellent save to deny Michael Carcone.