Easton Cowan returned from injury and went from hero to heartbreak in one night

The Toronto Marlies were unable to overcome Wilkes Barre and came away with a loss in Game 4 of the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals.

The Marlies were at home for Game 4 after suffering a tough loss in Game 3. They have been without Easton Cowan, though he returned and had an assist though it looks like we have a brand new series on our hands.

After storming out to a 2-0 series lead, the Marlies took the loss in Game 3 and needed a bounce back game in Game 4. They didn't get that as the team had to fight back from three unanswered goals and things weren't exactly easy for them regardless; unable to withstand the Penguins assault.

Easton Cowan returns from injury but his completely giveaway led to a Marlies loss

Toronto jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Bo Groulx and Vinni Lettieri including an assist from Cowan on Lettieri's marker, however the Penguins stormed back with three unanswered goals in the second to take a 3-2 lead.

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The game also wasn't without its fireworks, as Landon Sim and Chase Pietila got into a scrap that continues the Game 3 festivities that ended that contest. However with just under seven minutes to go, Luke Haymes scored a power-play goal that pulled the game even at three apiece.

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However, it was Cowan who's mistake led to heartbreak after a really bad giveaway leading to Rutger McGroarty scoring the game-winner:

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Artur Akhtyamov finished the night with 22 saves and there was little hope in saving that game-winner from McGroarty as there was such little time to react to such a rough giveaway and looked very solid despite the loss:

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What's next for the Toronto Marlies in the Calder Cup Playoffs

For now, Toronto keeps things at home on Friday night as they try to move one step closer to the Calder Cup Finals. It was a really tough loss on Wednesday as the team had to fight back from collapsing and even when it looked like there was hope - it was snuffed out.

You have to feel bad for Cowan as well considering that he just came back from injury and had an assist. The last thing he wants is to be responsible for losing the game, but in the world of professional sports it isn't always going to go your way (and better he learn that now than the Stanley Cup Playoffs).

They need to come in firing like they did on Wednesday but cannot get complacent about their lead. The one thing that gave them so much firepower against Laval was that they never took the foot off the gas and didn't feel comfortable, but looked hungry.

John Gruden's crew has a lot of work to do ahead of Game 5 on Friday but if they can learn to shore up their defence and become those powerhouses we know they can be then it might be enough to push them one game closer to glory.

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