It was far from a perfect performance on Saturday, but the Marlies were clinical on their opportunities, more disciplined than of late, and received excellent goaltending at the critical moments en route to a 4-2 win over Manitoba.
First Period
The opening period was a feeling-out process, with Manitoba boasting a stronger roster than the one Toronto beat twice in Winnipeg earlier in the season.
A fantastic coast-to-coast rush by Rasmus Sandin resulted in Egor Korshkov drawing a penalty, but the Marles could not convert on two man-advantage opportunities in the first period.
Manitoba edged the shot-clock 9-7, and they likely would have broken the deadlock inside the final five minutes if not for an excellent piece of play by Mac Hollowell, who negated an excellent scoring chance with a last-ditch poke check.