Playing the last of three straight games against the Toronto Marlies, it was more of the same on Wednesday afternoon as the Lake Erie Monsters fell, 4-1, in Ontario. The Marlies have proven troublesome for the Monsters, as Lake Erie has lost all four games to their North Division rival so far this season, including three in the last six days.Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the third period on Wednesday, Lake Erie could not overcome getting out-shot 22-14 through the first two frames and allowing three goals in those 40 minutes. The Monsters are now 7-11-0-2 at the quarter mark of the 80-game season.
The Marlies got the game started by putting two goals on the scoreboard midway through the first period. Viktor Stalberg converted on a Toronto power play at the 10:16 mark, assisted by Tyler Bozak and Jonas Frogren.
A little more than three minutes later, Troy Bodie put the Marlies up by two with his third goal of the year. Darrell Boyce and Juraj Mikus picked up the assists at 13:58.
The first period ended with Lake Erie down 2-0 after being out-shot 11-6.
Toronto wasted little time adding to their lead in the second period. It was just 2:40 into the frame when Alex Berry found the back of the net and gave the Marlies a 3-0 advantage. Stalberg and Phil Oreskovic assisted on the score.
Although they were again out-shot, 11-8, the Monsters were able to hold Toronto's offense at bay for the remainder of the frame, ending the second period with the 3-0 deficit.
Lake Erie's offense would come to life in the third, as they rattled off 11 shots of their own. The Monsters defense kept the Marlies to just six shots in the final session. One of the six made it to the back of the net, as Matt Beleskey scored his team's last goal of the day on the power play at the 6:39 mark. Brett Festerling and Boyce assisted.
Less than a minute later, alternate captain Chris Durno lit the lamp for Lake Erie, scoring his team-leading ninth goal of the season at 7:10. Durno also leads the Monsters in points with 15.
Despite their offensive attack, the Monsters were unable to convert during the rest of the third, losing to the Marlies by the 4-1 final.
Tyler Weiman recorded 24 saves on 28 shots and his Marlies counterpart James Reimer rejected all but one of the 26 shots he saw.
The Monsters will return home to host a weekend back-to-back with the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday and Saturday.
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