Logan Shaw scored just 11 seconds into Game 3, sparking the Toronto Marlies to a dominant 6-2 victory over the Laval Rocket on Sunday afternoon. The win gives Toronto a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five AHL playoff series. Game 4 is set for Tuesday in Toronto.
The Marlies jumped ahead early when Lucas Condotta of the Rocket took a high-sticking penalty off the opening faceoff. Shaw capitalized six seconds into the power play for a 1-0 lead. Easton Cowan, Henry Thrun, and Alex Nylander then added goals to make it 4-0 before the first intermission, ending the night for Laval starter Kaapo Kähkönen, who made eight saves on 12 shots before being pulled. Hunter Shepard came in relief, allowing two goals on 12 shots, while Artur Akhtyamov stopped 26 shots for Toronto in the win, improving to 3-1 in the playoffs. Ryan Tverberg stretched the lead to 5-0 midway through the second period, marking the 11th straight Marlies goal since Laval's 2-0 lead in Game 2. Cédric Paré scored late for Toronto, while Alex Belzile and Owen Beck tallied for the Rocket. The series schedule continues with Game 4 on Tuesday, May 5, at Toronto's home rink at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time, followed by a potential Game 5 on Friday, May 8, in Laval if necessary. Prior games saw Laval win 3-1 on April 29 and Toronto rally for a 6-2 victory on May 1.
