Rutger McGroarty’s late goal gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 4-3 win in Toronto on Wednesday, tying the Eastern Conference final series against the Marlies 2-2.
The Marlies led 2-0 after the first period, first on a gaffe misplaying the puck by Sergei Murashov that led to a shorthanded goal for Toronto, and then a power-play tally. AHL-contracted defenseman Scooter Brickey started the rally in the second with his first career AHL goal, and then Penguins defense prospect Chase Pietila tied the game with his first career playoff goal. AHL-contracted forward Gabe Klassen scored his second goal of the playoffs in the final minute of the second to give Wilkes-Barre the lead.
The Marlies tied the game with a controversial power-play goal with 6:56 left in the third. The goal was initially called no-goal on the ice — presumably for goaltender interference — but was then overturned for a goal after officials conferred. The goal wasn’t actually reviews — the AHL doesn’t allow video review for goaltender interference.
McGroarty scored his fourth of the playoffs with exactly three minutes remaining to put Wilkes-Barre back ahead. Murashov finished with 32 saves on 35 shots.