Marlies’ Easton Cowan scores in dying seconds to clinch playoff series

The Toronto Marlies forward scored with 12 seconds left to give his team a 3-2 win in the decisive Game 5 of the AHL Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Monsters.

Cowan shoved home a rebound from the side of the net after Monsters goalie Zach Sawchenko made a save on a slot attempt from Marlies forward Vinni Lettieri, who had one goal and two assists in the win.

The Marlies will move on to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the East final, with the seven-game series beginning Wednesday.

It’s the first time Toronto, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs, has reached the East final since 2019, when it lost to the eventual champion Charlotte Checkers.

The West final features the Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche affiliate) and the Chicago Wolves (Carolina Hurricanes affiliate).

Marlies goalie Artur Akhtyamov made 22 saves in the win.

Forward Logan Shaw evened the game at 2-2 with under five minutes to go with his sixth of the playoffs.

Cowan, the 21-year-old who played 66 games with the Maple Leafs this season, has four goals and four assists in 13 AHL playoff games.