Marlies lose playoff opener in overtime in Cleveland

The Maple Leafs’ overtime heroics didn’t extend to their farm team on Thursday night.

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As the Leafs were winning Game 3 against Ottawa on an OT goal by Simon Benoit, the Toronto Marlies fell 4-3 in overtime in their playoff opener against the Cleveland Monsters.

The Marlies trail the best-of-three 1-0 and have to win in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon at the Coca-Cola Coliseum to extend their season. If they do win, Game 3 will be on Sunday, also in Toronto.

On Thursday in Cleveland, Alex Steeves scored two goals in the final four minutes, including one with 49 seconds to play, of the third period to send the game to extra time.

But Cleveland’s Luca Pinelli scored at 9:42 of overtime to give the Monsters the win.

Alex Nylander scored Toronto’s other goal. William Villeneuve had two assists. Dennis Hildeby made 31 saves for the Marlies.

“I thought it was a good hockey game,” Marlies captain Logan Shaw said. “Both teams had chances, both teams played well defensively. A couple of breakdowns cost both teams.

“It’s something to be proud of. We don’t quit. We’re happy with how we came back, but obviously, we’re going to think about the loss.

“My message to the guys is we don’t quit. We’re going to build off tonight, learn from it and keep moving forward.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @ @koshtorontosun

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