"The opening three minutes personified the difference between the teams. Pyotr Kochetkov denied Borya Valis' five-hole attempt after the rookie escaped on a partial breakaway. 30 seconds later, the Wolves' Evan Vierling scored alone in front as Chicago won the battle behind the goal line in what was a learning moment for Blake Smith. Cedric Paré had the opportunity to answer immediately but was unable to bury from the heart of the slot."
"Dennis Hildeby was having a quieter time at the other end of the ice, but the Swedish netminder did make a good double save to rob Ivan Ryabkin and Blake Biondi at the midway mark. He also produced a late-period save on Justin Robidas shorthanded, but he went long stretches without seeing the puck. One of Toronto's best offensive shifts of the period resulted in a drawn penalty, and on the delayed portion, Alex Nylander struck the post with a stinging shot."
For 35 minutes the Marlies competed aggressively and controlled play at times, particularly in the first period, but failed to convert Grade-A scoring chances. Chicago struck early when Pyotr Kochetkov denied Borya Valis yet Evan Vierling scored shortly after as Chicago won battles behind the goal. Toronto generated multiple chances — Cedric Paré, Michael Pezetta, Luke Haymes and Vinni Lettieri tested Kochetkov — while Dennis Hildeby made key saves and saw limited action. Alex Nylander hit the post on a delayed penalty, Henry Thrun scored through traffic to tie the game, and a Sharpe-to-Quillan-to-Pezetta sequence was stopped by Kochetkov.
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