Special teams were the main reason why the Toronto Marlies lost Game 3 of their Calder Cup Playoff series against the Albany Devils and were a determining factor in Game 4, as the AHL's top club rebounded with a 7-2 victory at the Times Union Center on Tuesday.
Nikita Soshnikov scored a pair of goals, Mark Arcobello, Kasperi Kapanen, TJ Brennan, Brendan Leipsic and Connor Brown scored for Toronto and Antoine Bibeau made 24 saves to improve his career record against Albany to 6-1-0 and even the series at 2-2.
After failing to score on eight power plays, allowed two short-handed goals (including the tying tally with 21 seconds left in regulation) and losing Game 3 on a power play overtime goal, the Marlies responded with four goals with the man advantage.
The Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the first period on Blake Pietila's third goal of the playoffs, but Toronto was able to take advantage of Albany's lack of discipline (the Marlies enjoyed seven power play chances).
With Damon Severson serving a double-minor for high sticking, Arcobello tied the game midway through the first. Kapanen put the Marlies in the lead late in the period, moving to the front of the net and beating Devils goalie Scott Wedgewood.
Brennan extended the Toronto lead to 3-1 with his club-leading fifth goal early in the middle frame.
Toronto winger Andreas Johnson was knocked out of the game after being elbowed by Albany blueliner Dan Kelly. The Devils defenseman was given a match penalty and will likely face discipline for a hit to the head on the Marlies rookie, who did not return.
Leipsic added to the lead with another power play marker and Soshnikov scored before the end of the second, chasing Wedgewood after allowing five goals on 17 shots. Soshnikov and Brown added goals in the third on Devils backup Yann Danis.
Connor Carrick added a pair of assists to maintain his lead in AHL playoff scoring, William Nylander and Sam Carrick also had two helpers on the night.
2015 second rounder Travis Dermott made his professional debut, replacing Stuart Percy in the lineup after the former first rounder left Game 3 after being hit along the boards by Devils forward Joseph Blandisi.
Game 5 will be on Thursday in Albany at 7pm and the two clubs will return for Game 6 at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday at 3pm.
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