TORONTO — Chris Mueller scored a power-play goal 17:48 into overtime and Garrett Sparks made 32 saves as the Toronto Marlies opened their first-round American Hockey League playoff series against the Utica Comets with a 3-2 win on Saturday.

Jeremy Bracco opened the scoring at 10:29 in the first period. Justin Holl added a third-period goal for the Marlies, who finished the regular season atop the North Division and had the league's best record.

Zack McEwen scored for Utica, which finished fourth in the North Division, on a power play 6:17 into the third. Michael Chaput tied the game with just over five minutes remaining.

Thatcher Demko had 44 saves for the Comets.

Both clubs were 1 for 7 on the power play.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is in Toronto on Sunday.