D'Amigo builds reputation as clutch player in Marlies 4-3 OT win over Wolves

TORONTO - Jerry D'Amigo scored in overtime as the Toronto Marlies edged the Chicago Wolves 4-3 on Wednesday in American Hockey League playoff action

Toronto now has a commanding 3-0 lead in its best-of-seven series with Chicago.

D'Amigo put home the rebound off a Trevor Smith point shot at 3:28 of the first over time for his fourth of the playoffs.

The Marlies are a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs and have just one loss in 10 games dating back to the regular season. Toronto also improved to 5-4 all time in Calder Cup playoff overtime games.

T.J. Brennan, Peter Holland, Brandon Kozun scored in regulation time for the Marlies, while Drew MacIntyre made 32 saves. MacIntyre has not lost a start in regulation since March 7.

D'Amigo, who entered the game with a league-leading nine points in five playoff games, also had an assist in the win.

Dmitrji Jaskin, Adam Cracknell and Tyler Shattock replied for the Wolves. Jake Allen, the reigning AHL goaltender of the year, made 26 saves in the loss.

Wednesday was by far the closest game to date in the series. After out-scoring the Wolves 9-4 in the two games in Chicago, Game 3 was a back and forth affair between the two clubs.

Brennan opened the scoring, on a power play, one-timing a Spencer Abbott feed glove-side past Allen for his third goal of the playoffs at 5:26 of the first.

Jaskin tied it 1-1, on a power play, re-directing a Marc Cundari point shot for his fourth at 15:41.

Just 50 seconds later, Holland restored Toronto's lead, one-timing a Brennan pass from the side of the net past Allen for his fourth at 16:31.

Cracknell tied it 2-2 with his third capitalizing off a Greg McKegg turnover and poking home the rebound off a Shane Harper shot at 18:28.

However, just 11 seconds later, Kozun gave the Marlies a 3-2 lead putting a bouncing puck off of Allen from behind the goal line for his third of the playoffs.

Toronto defenceman Andrew MacWilliam, who missed a month of the regular season with a concussion, left the game and did not return following a big hit on Cracknell behind the Toronto net early in the second period. MacWilliam was playing in just his fourth game since returning from the injury.

Chicago controlled the play in the second period as they out-shot Toronto 14-5 and Shattock had the lone goal of the period batting a bouncing puck past a sprawling MacIntyre for his first of the playoffs at 11:34.

Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals goes Friday night at Ricoh Coliseum.

Notes: Maple Leafs great Wendel Clark was on hand to drop the puck in a ceremonial faceoff. David Broll played his first game of the series replacing a healthy Frazer McLaren in the Marlies lineup.