Marlies fall to Monsters in Game 2, series tied heading back to Toronto

The Toronto Marlies dropped Game 2 of the North Division Finals on Saturday night, falling 3-1 to the Cleveland Monsters at Rocket Arena.

The Monsters outshot the Marlies 24-18, outplaying the Marlies through the first two periods to send the series back to Toronto even. The Marlies got going in the third period, outshooting the Monsters 7-2 in the final frame, but were unable to beat goaltender Zach Sawchenko, who turned aside 17 shots in the win.

Monsters forward Roman Ahcan opened the game’s scoring on a 2-on-1, finishing off a cross-ice pass from Zach Aston-Reese for his first goal of the 2025-26 postseason. Ahcan fired a wrist shot over the sprawled-out Artur Akhtyamov to get the Monsters faithful out of their seats.

The Monsters extended their lead to 2-0 with 1:07 remaining in the first period when Monsters forward Mikael Pyyhtiä deflected home Luca Del Bel Bulluz’s point shot. Pyyhtiä picked up his second goal of the playoffs, building on what was a strong regular season. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ fourth-round draft pick from 2020 recorded 21 goals and 28 assists during the regular season, finishing with 49 points, the second-most on the Monsters.

Bo Groulx was able to get the Marlies on the board, recording his first career shorthanded postseason goal. Marlies defenceman Marshall Rifai fired the puck down the ice, allowing Groulx to use his speed to beat all the Monsters to the puck after it took a funny bounce off the endboards. Groulx was able to beat an outstretched Sawchenko to record his third goal of the playoffs, and second in as many games.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed his best season at the professional level, posting 52 points in 59 games with the Marlies while also adding five points across 13 games with the Maple Leafs. Groulx brought an energy to the Maple Leafs lineup in his brief stint with the club, and has his eyes set on using these playoffs to show that he can be a regular in the Maple Leafs’ lineup next season.

“I think these games in the playoffs are just as important as the games that I played with Toronto. I think everybody’s going to be watching. Obviously, we have a lot of prospects that they’re looking at, and they want to look at players who can make a difference in big games, and I want to be that kind of player,” Groulx said on Leafs Morning Take prior to the playoffs beginning. “I want to make a difference every time I’m on the ice, and especially during the playoffs, that’s when it counts most. I’m really excited to see what I can bring to the table come playoff time.”

Monsters forward Luca Pinelli gave Cleveland some breathing room with 7:05 remaining in the third period. After a Monsters power play expired, Pinelli snapped a Will Butcher feed past Akhtyamov, beating him glove side to push the Monsters’ lead to two goals.

Game 3 of the series is on Wednesday, May 20, at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.

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