The Toronto Marlies defeated the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in Game 5 on Friday night to win the Calder Cup. The victory gave the Marlies their second championship in franchise history.
The Marlies completed a 4-1 series win before 8,682 fans at Coca-Cola Coliseum. They overcame a 2-0 deficit in the game, with goals from Landon Sim, Bo Groulx, Jacob Quillan and Vinni Lettieri. Lettieri scored the winner with 3:11 left in the second period.
Goaltender Artur Akhtyamov was named playoff MVP after a 15-7 record, 2.22 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. He made 27 saves in the clincher. Easton Cowan recorded three assists in the game.
Marlies general manager Ryan Hardy wore the No. 72 jersey of former prospect Rodion Amirov during the celebration. Amirov, drafted by the Maple Leafs in 2020, died of brain cancer in 2023. Coach John Gruden called the gesture a nice tribute.
The Marlies finished the regular season at 36-26-5-5 before going 16-8 in the playoffs. Captain Logan Shaw hoisted the trophy after the final horn.
