Easton Cowan changed the narrative on Friday.
Two days after committing a turnover that led to a late winning goal by the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-round pick had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win for his AHL team in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday.
The Marlies now lead the series 3-2 as it shifts to Pennsylvania for the final two games, if necessary. Game 6 is Sunday.
Cowan's made a great move to elude Penguins defenceman Chase Pietila before beating goalie Sergei Murashov on the break in the third period to give the Marlies a 3-1 lead. It was Cowan's sixth goal in 16 playoff games.
Cowan also assisted on Benoit-Olivier Groulx's winner in the second period.
"I felt our third period was our best period of the playoffs," said Cowan, whose 12 points tie him for the AHL rookie scoring lead in the playoffs. "We played together as a team. We played north, we played fast and we capitalized on our chances, so it was very good."
Cowan, 22, had 11 goals and 18 assists in 66 games for the Leafs in his rookie season.
Landon Sim, Logan Shaw and Marshall Rifai also scored for the Marlies, while goalie Arthur Akhtyamov made 32 saves.
Things turned nasty in the third period when the refs handed out eight misconduct penalties. The teams combined for 110 penalty minutes.
"We got our team back. They found their confidence. They found their mojo. I knew they would," said Marlies coach John Gruden, whose team lost the last two games, both at home.
"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."
