UTICA, N.Y. - William Nylander scored his first American Hockey League goal and Christopher Gibson stopped 52 shots as the Toronto Marlies held on to defeat the host Utica Comets 3-2 on Friday.
Nylander -- playing in his third game since coming over from Sweden -- opened the scoring 1:51 into the game for the Marlies (18-17-7), who snapped a three-game skid.
Greg McKegg and Connor Brown extended Toronto's lead to 3-0 with goals in the second period.
Brandon DeFazio and Tom Sestito responded in the third period for the Comets (24-12-6), who dropped their fifth game in a row.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 16-of-19 shots for Utica.
The Marlies went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Comets failed to score on three chances with the man advantage.
