This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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The Toronto Marlies defeated the Abbotsford Heat 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night to win the Western Conference Semi-Final four games to one.
With the victory Toronto becomes the first team to clinch a berth in the third round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Abbotsford jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal from Paul Byron just over three minutes into the opening frame. Heat leading scorer Krys Kolanos would make it 2-0 just over ten minutes later. Jake Gardiner's first goal of the post-season cut the deficit in half heading into period number two.
Matt Frattin scored his fifth goal of the post-season with exactly two minutes left in the second frame to notch the game at two goals apiece. The final period saw numerous scoring opportunities on both sides, however, neither team was able to score the winner.
Finally, 9:02 into the first overtime period, Mike Zigomanis scored the game-winning-goal on the powerplay for Toronto.
Toronto now awaits the winner of Oklahoma City (AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers) and San Antonio (AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers). Oklahoma City currently holds a two games to one series lead, with game four to be played on Thursday night in Texas.
This marks the second time in franchise history that the Marlies have advanced to the Western Conference Final. Toronto's only other trip to the Conference Final was in 2008, when the team lost in five games to the eventual Calder Cup Champions, the Chicago Wolves.
Jerry D'Amigo continues to lead the Marlies in post-season scoring, with nine points in eight playoff games. Goaltender Ben Scrivens has been sensational throughout the postseason, leading the AHL in both goals-against-average (1.61) and save percentage (0.944). Scrivens has posted a record of 7-1 thus far in the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Goal Scorers:
Toronto – Jake Gardiner, Matt Frattin, Mike Zigomanis
Abbotsford – Paul Byron, Krys Kolanos
Goaltenders:
Toronto – Ben Scrivens stopped 29 of 31 shots
Abbotsford – Danny Taylor stopped 33 of 36 shots
Quick Hits:
* Toronto outshot Abbotsford 36-31
* Mike Zigomanis recorded his third powerplay goal of the post-season
* The Marlies killed an astounding 24 of 24 penalties against Abbotsford in the Western Semi-Final.
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