The Marlies are one win from a Calder Cup sweep that has not happened in a decade

Easton Cowan scored the lone goal and Artur Akhtyamov shut the door as the Toronto Marlies moved one game away from hoisting the Calder Cup.

The Toronto Marlies are on some kind of run this postseason, as they have found themselves up 3-0 against the Chicago Wolves after a gutsy 1-0 win on Tuesday night. Easton Cowan scored the lone goal and Artur Akhtyamov ended up being a brick wall all night as the team moves only one game away from sweeping the Calder Cup Final.

Cowan was a man possessed all night, as he got the Marlies on the board and was generally controlling the pace the entire game from start to finish:

-

Cowan ripped a shot past Cayden Primeau that just squeaked by, and it turned out to be enough for the Marlies. That was Cowan's 14th point in 20 games this postseason and showed his clutch factor yet again, but he was also a menace on the puck all night:

-

Assisting on Cowan's goal were Dakota Mermis and Vinni Lettieri. Mermis added his 9th assist of the postseason meanwhile Lettieri added his 14th assist and 24th overall point this playoff. That ties him for the single-season points record for the Marlies, and cemented himself as the best performer in the playoffs.

Marlies move one game away from glory after Akhtyamov shuts out the Wolves

But all of that would have been for naught had Akhtyamov not shut the door. On the same day the team traded Joseph Woll away, Akhtyamov posted a 24-save shutout and proved that he's every bit as special as the team thinks he is.

If this is the type of performance we can expect from Ahktyamov in the postseason, then it won't be too long before he's called upon to lead the Maple Leafs. John Chayka is impressed, and this latest game is only going to further the case that he may be the next big thing in Toronto.

He pushed his record to 13-6-0 with a 2.10 GAA and .928 SV%. Those are some gaudy numbers and it's not like he's doing it traditionally either, as he plays a more wild style that allows him to quickly adapt under pressure:

-

-

The next step for the Marlies is Thursday night at home where they are able to sweep the series (the first since 2015) and win their first Calder Cup since 2018. If they do, it might give the Maple Leafs a lot to think about regarding not only the lineup next year but the new head coach.

John Gruden has been nothing short of spectacular this postseason and the fact he led the Marlies from dark horse contender to a team who can sweep Carolina's farm team is nothing short of impressive and should give him a shot at the job - much like Sheldon Keefe.

Thank goodness the team had Akhtyamov shutting the door, and the defensive side of things was elite, with everyone willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. That greater good comes in the form of the Calder Cup.

On Thursday, they have the chance to earn it in pretty surprising yet dominating fashion.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Jordan Staal called out Mitch Marner moments after winning the Stanley Cup