With the win, the Monsters improved to 8-7-1-2 overall and 5-1-0-1 in North Division play.

Lake Erie goaltender Jason Bacashihua recorded 33 saves on 34 shots, improving his overall record to 6-4-2.

Toronto entered Friday’s game riding a 6-0-0-1 streak, as they had not lost a regulation game since falling to the Monsters, 4-1, on October 30th.

After a scoreless first period, Toronto took a 1-0 lead at 2:09 of the second period. Dale Mitchell picked off a loose puck in the neutral zone, broke into Lake Erie territory and snapped a shot into the top right corner of the net. Mitchell was assisted by Korbinian Holzer.

The goal snapped Bacashihua’s shutout streak of 95:51, a span that saw parts of three games.

Before the middle frame expired, Lake Erie scored twice to take a 2-1 lead. At 16:14, center Ryan Stoa scored an unassisted goal for his first tally of the season. Then, with David Liffiton whistled off for elbowing, Mike Carman notched his team-leading second shorthanded goal of the season at the 19:04 mark. Carman sped past the Toronto defense, picked up a loose puck and rifled a shot from a sharp angle for an unassisted goal.

Including six kills on Friday, Lake Erie has denied the opposition’s last 25 power play attempts. The Monsters have not allowed a power play goal since November 7th against Grand Rapids. They entered Friday’s contest with the AHL’s best home penalty kill at a 93.5% efficiency, while their overall penalty kill of 88.9% ranked fourth in the league.

Toronto’s Jussi Rynnas went 24-for-26 in net for the Marlies. The Monsters will travel to Grand Rapids Saturday night for a 7 p.m. faceoff with the Griffins, beginning a five-day stretch in which they play four games on the road. Lake Erie is 1-0-0-1 against Grand Rapids this season.

Three Stars: 1. LE Carman (GW goal); 2. LE Bacashihua (33 saves); 3. LE Stoa (1 goal)