Marlies Fall in Overtime as Wolves Force Game 5 at Coca-Cola Coliseum
The Toronto Marlies’ dream of clinching the Calder Cup on home ice was dashed on Thursday night when the Chicago Wolves stormed back from a two-goal deficit to claim a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. More than 8,000 fans who had gathered to celebrate Toronto’s second American Hockey League championship in eight years were left stunned as Viktor Neuchev scored the winner just minutes after Alex Nylander was denied on the other end.
The series now shifts back to the same venue on Friday, where the Wolves will look to extend their season with Games 6 and 7 on home ice.
Early Promise for Toronto
The Wolves struck first when Bradly Nadeau beat the Marlies on Chicago’s opening shot within the opening minute. However, Toronto responded quickly. Jacob Quillan scored a creative backhanded goal between his legs on the power play, and Alex Steeves converted his own rebound during a 3-on-2 rush. It was Toronto’s first power-play goal in 10 attempts throughout the Finals and only Quillan’s second goal of the entire postseason after he had been sidelined with an upper-body injury.
Villeneuve Makes AHL History
William Villeneuve recorded an assist on Steeves’ goal, giving him 18 points this postseason — tied for the fourth-most in a single season in AHL history. Goaltender Cayden Primeau made 21 saves during that stretch. Toronto then capitalized on a 5-on-3 advantage just 48 seconds into the second period, with Dakota Mermis redirecting a Ryan Tverberg shot to push the lead to 3-1.
Chicago’s Third-Period Surge
Despite the cushion, Toronto failed to convert on a late second-period power play, and the Wolves — the top affiliate of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes — struck twice before the third period was six minutes old. Defenseman Domenick Fensore found the back of the net, and Justin Robidas, son of former Maple Leaf Stéphane Robidas, accelerated around Artur Akhtyamov’s cage to wrap home the equalizer.
Primeau, who began the season with the Maple Leafs as a short-term replacement for Joseph Woll, finished with 32 saves to keep his team in the contest.
Coach Anastas Embraces Underdog Role
Before the game, Chicago coach Spiros Anastas confirmed he would turn back to Primeau for Game 4, calling him “a great professional with a great pedigree” who had been “paramount to our success.” Anastas pointed to his team’s experience winning twice on the road during the Western Conference finals against Colorado in Games 6 and 7.
“Now we could have an advantage. Now we have nothing to lose,” Anastas said. “Maximum pressure, 60 minutes. Either you win or lose, that’s all. Everyone is counting us out, so maybe this will allow us to play a little more freely.”
