Easton Cowan had a goal and an assist as the Toronto Marlies beat the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins 5-1 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday. The win puts Toronto up 3-2 in the series, with Games 6 and 7 to follow in Pennsylvania if needed.
Two days after a turnover he made led to a late winning goal by the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Easton Cowan was back on the scoresheet in the biggest possible way.
In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday. the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-round pick produced a goal and an assist to help the Toronto Marlies cruise to a 5-1 victory. The result leaves the Marlies in front 3-2 in the series as they shift to Pennsylvania for the final two games. with Game 6 set for Sunday.
Cowan turned the third period into a turning point. He made a strong move to elude Penguins defenceman Chase Pietila before beating goalie Sergei Murashov on the break to give Toronto a 3-1 lead. It was Cowan’s sixth goal in 16 playoff games. and it came after he already played a direct role earlier—he assisted on Benoit-Olivier Groulx’s winner in the second period.
“I felt our third period was our best period of the playoffs,” Cowan said. “We played together as a team. We played north, we played fast and we capitalized on our chances, so it was very good.”
The night wasn’t built on Cowan alone. Landon Sim, Logan Shaw and Marshall Rifai also found the net for the Marlies, and goalie Arthur Akhtyamov made 32 saves.
But the scoreboard didn’t tell the whole story of the momentum. Things turned nasty in the third period, where the referees handed out eight misconduct penalties. Across both teams, they combined for 110 penalty minutes.
Cowan’s impact is also growing with every round. The 22-year-old tied for the AHL rookie scoring lead in the playoffs with 12 points, and he carried a strong rookie season line with 11 goals and 18 assists in 66 games for the Leafs.
For Marlies coach John Gruden, the way Toronto responded carried as much weight as the final score. The team had lost the last two games—both at home—but Gruden believed the swing would come.
“We got our team back. They found their confidence. They found their mojo. I knew they would,” Gruden said. “We’ve said it all year and all playoffs long. when their backs against the wall. it brings out the best in them. I guess that’s a good trait to have when your team is on the brink of losing. We just have to bring it again. Bottle it up and understand what was successful and get our rest and enjoy the win and then make sure we’re ready to go on Sunday.”.
With Cowan’s third-period breakaway and a one-goal start that turned into a five-goal night, the Marlies have seized the series lead once more—now they’ll try to hold it as the focus shifts to Game 6 in Pennsylvania.
Easton Cowan Toronto Marlies Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 Game 6 AHL playoffs Arthur Akhtyamov Chase Pietila Sergei Murashov John Gruden
Wow 5-1?? Put the whole game on one guy I guess.
Easton Cowan had a goal and an assist and somehow it’s “hat-trick swing”?? Like did he actually get 3 goals or is this hockey math I don’t get. Also 8 misconduct penalties sounds wild, refs were just doing the most.
Game 5 went nuts in the third and they’re up 3-2 now, so basically Penguins are done right? I saw “Land onsim” mentioned and thought it was Toronto’s goalie at first lol. But yeah, if the series shifts to Pennsylvania again then Pens fans better not get too hopeful.
The article says Cowan “beat goalie Sergei Murashov on the break” which I mean ok but wasn’t Toronto the one that had the turnover earlier? so like did he magically fix the defense or what. Also 110 penalty minutes?? that’s like a whole second game worth of nonsense. I’m just glad somebody scored again because I swear AHL games are always 2-1 forever.