Michael Pezzetta plays hero as Marlies take Game 1 on the road in AHL's Eastern Conference Finals

The Toronto Marlies won 4-2 over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The game was tied 2-2 when Michael Pezzetta scored with 1:36 remaining, finishing a wrist shot over Sergei Murashov’s glove hand. Murashov’s playoff performance included a 1.87 goals-against average and a 0.936 save percentage. Pezzetta credited quick shots and screens for creating scoring chances against a strong goalie. Pezzetta signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2025, and played 39 games for the Marlies in 2025-26 with five goals and six assists, plus nine Maple Leafs appearances. In the playoffs, he recorded three points in 13 games, including an opening goal versus Rochester and a secondary assist on a game-tying goal versus Laval. Pezzetta, Marc Johnstone, and Reese Johnson formed the Marlies’ fourth line, contributing seven points while providing impact beyond scoring.

"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."

"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."

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