TORONTO -- Former Maple Leafs prospect Chad Rau scored twice, including the overtime winner as the Houston Aeros beat a depleted Toronto Marlies team 2-1 Saturday afternoon in American Hockey League action at the Ricoh Coliseum.
Rau scored the winner for Houston (12-10-2) on a screened wrist shot from just inside the blue-line early in the extra period.
The Marlies (10-7-4) were missing their top two goaltenders and three offensive weapons due to a mixture of injuries and call-up duty with the NHL's Maple Leafs.
With James Reimer hurt and Joey MacDonald backing up the Maple Leafs on the road, ex-Marlie Adam Munro was brought back on a pro tryout contract and stopped 19 shots.
Toronto was also missing forwards Christian Hanson (Leafs), Tyler Bozak (injury) and Alex Foster (injury), meaning scoring was at a premium against the defensively tight Aeros.
Playing in a very disciplined formation for most of the game, Houston made it very difficult for the Marlies to mount any sort of offensive attack, limiting the odd-man rushes Toronto generally thrives on. When the Marlies did create opportunities, Aeros netminder Wade Dubielewicz was able to scramble for the key saves.
But Toronto eventually pierced Houston's armour in the third period as Darryl Boyce swept the puck in off a scramble in front of the Aeros net.
Game Notes: Toronto centre Tyler Bozak missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injuryathe two teams combined for just 11 shots in the first periodaHouston goalie Wade Dubielewicz hasn't given up more than two goals in a game for six straight contests, but this was his first win in that stretchaMaple Leafs winger Nikolai Kulemin attended the game.