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.
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.
Cowan, 22, had 11 goals and 18 assists in 66 games for the Leafs in his rookie season.
