The Toronto Marlies scored early, surrendered their lead and responded with a late second period rally to take Game 1 of their Calder Cup Western Conference Quarterfinal series, as Josh Leivo led the club with a four point performance in a 7-4 victory over the Grand Rapid Griffins at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday.
“The things he’s been doing paid off offensively, but also defensively." Toronto coach Gord Dineen said of Leivo after the game. "He’s a fiery guy, he’s a competitor and plays with a lot of emotion and he channeled that emotion in the right direction tonight…
The 21-year-old Innisfil, ON native struggled in his second AHL season with 11 goals in 51 games after a successful 23-goal campaign as a rookie in 2013-14, but the winger hopes to use a successful playoff performance to catapult his chances at earning an NHL job with the rebuilding Leafs next season.
Toronto led 2-0 in the first on goals by TJ Brennan and Greg McKegg, but the Griffins under Calder Cup winning head coach Jeff Blashill rallied to take a 3-2 lead midway through the second before the Marlies responded with a pair of tallies from Ryan Rupert and Byron Froese to take the lead for good.
Brendan Leipsic, late season addition Jack Rodewald and Leivo scored in the third and Christopher Gibson made 24 saves to lock down the victory for the Marlies.
The two clubs will play Game 2 at Ricoh Coliseum at 3pm on Sunday before shifting to Grand Rapids for Game 3 on Wednesday.
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