2026 Calder Cup Playoffs: Game 1, Toronto - 4 at W-B/Scranton - 2 (5/27/26)

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Written by: Tony Androckitis

@TonyAndrock on Twitter/X

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins controlled large portions of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday night at Mohegan Arena, out-possessing and out-shooting the Toronto Marlies by a wide margin.

Simply put by Penguins head coach Kirk MacDonald following his team's 4-2 loss to the Marlies, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was "out-executed" Wednesday night.

Toronto registered just 16 shots on goal in the hockey game, with no more than six in any one period, but a go-ahead goal by Michael Pezzetta with 1:36 left in regulation proved to be the difference.

Alex Alexeyev gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead in the first period before a pair of Toronto tallies in the middle frame - from Easton Cowan and William Villeneuve - had Wilkes-Barre/Scranton trailing by a goal entering the third period.

The Penguins dominated the opening half of the final frame, out-shooting the Marlies 9-1 and tying the game on Rutger McGroarty's third of the postseason - but the Penguins' attack was mainly "one and done" and limited to the perimeter of the offensive zone, according to both MacDonald and McGroarty in their post-game availabilities following the loss.

Marlies captain Logan Shaw added an empty net goal to complete the 4-2 final score, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 2 Friday night in Wilkes-Barre.