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Michael Pezzetta plays hero as Marlies take Game 1 on the road in AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals
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Photo credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)
Michael Coyle
May 28, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: May 28, 2026, 09:27 EDT
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The Toronto Marlies’ late-game heroics continued into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night, powering the Marlies to a 4-2 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
With the game tied 2-2, Marlies forward Michael Pezzetta snapped home a wrist shot over Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov’s glove hand to give the Marlies a lead with 1:36 to play. Beating Murashov has been no easy task during these playoffs, as the 22-year-old boasts a goals-against average of 1.87 and a save percentage of 0.936.
“Obviously, he’s a really good goalie. I think anytime you are facing someone like that, you’re just trying to get shots off quick, and get screens in front,” Pezzetta said speaking to the media post-game. “It’s hard to beat goalies like that clean, so I think that’s exactly what it was. We had a good screen in front, and it’s hard to see it when that’s the case.”
Pezzetta, who was signed to a two-year contract by the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2025, has brought a veteran presence to the Marlies for much of the 2025-26 season. The 28-year-old skated in 39 games and recorded five goals and six assists, while also appearing in nine games with the Maple Leafs. 
Through these playoffs with the Marlies, Pezzetta has made his three points over his 13 games count. Pezzetta scored the opening goal for the Marlies during these playoffs in Game 1 against Rochester and then added a key secondary assist on a third-period, game-tying goal against Laval in winner-take-all Game 5. 
Pezzetta, alongside Marc Johnstone and Reese Johnson, have formed the fourth line for the Marlies club this season. As a group, they’ve combined for seven points during these playoffs, but their impact as a unit goes far behind the offensive output. Speaking back on May 9, following Toronto’s Game 5 victory over Laval, Marlies head coach John Gruden spoke to the media about what that line means to the group.
“Their teammates know what they mean to our group. They’re a big reason why we started to turn things around when we got that line together. Especially against a team like Laval, you need your fourth line,” Gruden said. “They called it the grind line back in the day, and they did exactly that. It starts with a great forecheck, and then Reese [Johnson] being able to put it away.” 
After Penguins forward Alex Alexeyev opened the games scoring, a lead that would hold up through the first period, a trio of young Marlies struck early into the second period. Easton Cowan scored for the second straight contest, with Jacob Quillan and Ryan Tverberg adding assists on the goal. Quillan picked up the puck in the slot and found Cowan, who beat Murashov on the blocker side for his fifth goal of the playoffs.
Cowan is really starting to find his stride as the Marlies move along in their quest for a Calder Cup. With the goal, Cowan raised his playoff point total to nine points over 14 games played. The 21-year-old is continuing on the strong finish he had to close out his rookie year at the NHL level, in which Cowan recorded nine points over his final 15 games. 
Marlies defenceman William Villeneuve gave the Marlies a 2-1 lead on the power play with his second goal of the playoffs. The 24-year-old has used these playoffs to prove further why he earned his first trip to the NHL after almost four full seasons at the AHL level. Over 14 games during these playoffs, Villeneuve leads all players with 12 assists and sits third in the league in points. 
Former Winnipeg Jets first-round draft pick Rutger McGroarty tied the game at 6:01 of the third period before Pezzetta, and Marlies captain Logan Shaw scored two unanswered goals, the latter being an empty-netter to steal home ice away from the Penguins.
Marlies goaltender Artur Akhtyamov was brilliant once again, stopping 34 shots to record his third straight victory and improve his playoff record to 8-4-0 with a 2.17 GAA and 0.924 save percentage. 
Game 2 is on Friday, May 29, at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m EST. 
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