The Toronto Marlies have won the American Hockey League's Calder Cup for the second time in franchise history, defeating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in Game 5 of the finals on Friday night at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
The Marlies, who previously won the championship in 2018, overcame an early 2-0 deficit against the Carolina Hurricanes' primary affiliate.
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Toronto responded with four unanswered goals to secure the victory.
Key Performers in the Title Run
Goaltender Artur Akhtyamov was instrumental throughout the postseason, making 27 saves in the decisive Game 5.
The Russian netminder posted a 14-7 record in 22 playoff appearances, with a 2.22 goals-against average and a .
923 save percentage. He earned the Jack Butterfield Trophy as the postseason's most valuable player.
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Forward Vinni Lettieri scored the game-winning goal in the second period. He led all skaters in the playoffs with 11 goals and 26 points.
Defenceman William Villeneuve recorded two assists in the final game, finishing the postseason with a playoff-high 27 assists.
Forward Easton Cowan contributed three assists in the clinching victory, placing third in postseason scoring with 18 points.
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The fourth-seeded Marlies advanced through the Eastern Conference by winning maximum-game series against the Rochester Americans and Laval Rocket, then defeated the Cleveland Monsters and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
