UTICA, N.Y. — Cole Cassels scored twice, including the eventual winner, as the Utica Comets downed the Toronto Marlies 5-2 on Wednesday in American Hockey League playoff action.

Toronto leads the best-of-five series 2-1. Game 4 is in Utica, N.Y., on Friday.

Reid Boucher, Wacey Hamilton and Tyler Motte also scored for the Comets, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko made 35 saves for the win.

Calle Rosen and Colin Greening replied for the Marlies, the minor league club for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Garret Sparks turned aside 4-of-7 shots before Cassels's first goal chased him from net at the 13:59 mark of the first period. Calvin Pickard stopped 19-of-20 shots in relief.

Utica was 1 for 3 on the power play and Toronto went 1 for 7 with the man advantage.