Marlies lose Game 4 heartbreaker, conference final tied 2-2

Game 5 is in Toronto on Friday before the series goes back to Wilkes-Barre for Game 6 on Sunday.

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Published Jun 03, 2026  •  Last updated 18 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Reese Johnson of the Toronto Marlies produces a spray of ice shavings while dealing with Chase Pietila of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during an AHL playoff game at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto on June 3, 2026. Photo by Thomas Skrlj /Toronto Marlies

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John Gruden’s fear became a reality on Wednesday night.

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Two nights after the Toronto Marlies coach looked ahead and called Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins a “must-win,” the Marlies didn’t follow through.

Toronto couldn’t build on a two-goal lead in the first period at the Coca-Cola Coliseum and lost 4-3.

The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2, with Game 5 in Toronto on Friday night before the series goes back to Wilkes-Barre for Game 6 on Sunday.

With three minutes left in the third period, an Easton Cowan turnover in the defensive zone put the puck on the stick of Rutger McGroarty. The Penguins forward walked in and beat Marlies goalie Artur Akhtyamov for the winner.

Though he knew his team’s season wouldn’t end with a loss on Wednesday, Gruden said after the Marlies lost in Game 3 that he had no interest in seeing the Penguins gain momentum in the series. Now, after the Marlies won the first two games, it’s a race to win two more.

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There was some controversy with Luke Haymes’ tying goal on a power play at 13:04 of the third period.

Originally waved off, the Marlies goal was allowed to stand after the on-ice officials conferred at the penalty box. It came on a one-timer and with Penguins goalie Sergei Murashov out of position during a scramble.

The Penguins scored three goals in the second period to erase a 2-0 Marlies lead and carry a 3-2 lead into the third.

The first two goals, by Scooter Brickey and Chase Pietila, came off point shots that eluded a screened Akhtyamov.

Gabe Klassen provided the go-ahead goal from the lip of the crease in the final minute of the period.

Cowan returned to the Marlies lineup after he missed two games because of an upper-body issue and made an immediate impact.

Cowan set up Vinni Lettieri for the Marlies’ second goal at 14:14 of the first period. Cowan found Lettieri at the point with a cross-ice pass during a Toronto power play and Lettieri quickly beat Murashov with a shot between the legs.

Bo Groulx put the Marlies up 1-0 with a shorthanded goal at 4:19 after Murashov misplayed a dump-in behind the net.

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