The ice surface certainly wasn’t conducive to crisp, incisive passing as the game progressed, but the Marlies simply didn’t generate enough offensively to come out on the right side of what was a tightly-contested matchup.
First Period
There was no scoring in the first period and just 11 recorded shots, seven of which came off Marlie sticks.
The Marlies put themselves on the back foot early by taking a penalty inside the opening minute and needed Eamon McAdam to come up with a good stop on a breakaway opportunity for Laval.
Toronto’s best chances fell to Carl Grundstrom — who chose to pass when shooting was the better option on a 2-on-1 break — and Pierre Engvall, who drew a smart reaction save from Michael McNiven, while Michael Carcone whistled his shot high on a good look following a turnover.