The Toronto Marlies avoided postseason elimination by defeating the Cleveland Monsters 5-2 in Game Four of the Calder Cup Playoffs North Division Finals on Friday.
The victory tied the best-of-five series and set up a decisive Game Five scheduled for Sunday.
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Cleveland applied early pressure, outshooting Toronto 9-4 in the first 12 minutes and 25 seconds before the Marlies found their rhythm.
Toronto opened the scoring on a power play late in the first period when Ryan Tverberg scored from the slot to make it 1-0.
Alex Nylander extended the lead to 2-0 in the second period, also on a man advantage, beating Monsters goaltender Zach Sawchenko.
Henry Thrun recorded Toronto's first even-strength goal early in the third period, firing a shot from the point at the 4:45 mark to make it 3-0.
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Jacob Quillan later pushed the margin to 4-0 after driving into the offensive zone and scoring from the slot.
Cleveland spoiled the shutout bid with two late goals in the final minutes.
Marlies goaltender Artur Akhtyamov stopped 36 of 38 shots for a . 947 save percentage.
Sawchenko made 21 saves on 25 shots for an . 840 save percentage.
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Game Five will determine which team advances to the next round.
