TORONTO - Joe Colborne and Keith Aucoin scored first-period goals while Ben Scrivens made 19 saves to lead the Toronto Marlies to a 3-2 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs in American Hockey League action Wednesday afternoon.
Scrivens lost his shutout bid late in the third period when Frederic St-Denis' point shot was deflected at 18:12. Nathan Beaulieu scored from behind the net at 19:59 to round out the scoring.
Mike Kostka had the other goal for the Marlies, who won their third consecutive game and for the ninth time in 11 contests. Matt Frattin added three assists before an announced crowd of 18,800 at Air Canada Centre, the home of the Marlies' NHL parent Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto improved to 17-9-2 to take sole possession of first in the AHL's North Division. The Marlies also moved to within one point of the Charlotte Checkers for top spot in the Western Conference.
Hamilton lost its fifth straight game to 10-15-3. Bulldogs goalie Cedrick Desjardins stopped 30 shots in a losing effort.
The Marlies led 2-0 after the first and 3-0 heading into the third.
