Haymes' Late Power-Play Goal Lifts Marlies to 5-4 Sweep

Luke Haymes provided the decisive moment with a power-play goal at 19:59 of the second period, and the Toronto Marlies closed the weekend with a 5-4 victory over the Iowa Wild on January 17, 2026. The late man-advantage marker proved to be the game-winner as Toronto completed a sweep and showcased a special teams performance that made the difference.

Borya Valis was a primary catalyst on the power play, scoring twice with both goals coming on the man advantage. Logan Shaw added two goals of his own, giving the Marlies balanced finishing from established pros and opportunistic forwards. Toronto finished with three power-play goals, the club’s first three-PP game since April 12, 2025, underscoring a concentrated emphasis on converting penalties into momentum.

Goaltending came in a tandem effort. Vyacheslav Peksa started and logged 20 minutes, stopping four of seven shots, while Artur Akhtyamov entered in relief and recorded 14 saves on 15 shots. The combined netminding held just enough for the Marlies to preserve the one-goal margin after Haymes’ late second-period strike.

The game unfolded as a back-and-forth affair where special teams tilted the balance in Toronto’s favor. Valis’ two power-play goals and Haymes’ buzzer-beater on the man advantage highlighted a structured set play execution that had been intermittent earlier in the season. Shaw’s two goals added secondary scoring and showed Toronto could get offense from multiple lines, an important development for a roster balancing veteran presence with younger prospects.

From a team dynamics perspective, the Marlies’ ability to capitalize on penalties speaks to coaching adjustments and schematic clarity on the power play. Recording three power-play goals for the first time since last April signals improvement in personnel deployment and timing on entry and puck movement. Artur Akhtyamov’s steadiness in relief provides insurance in net, and Vyacheslav Peksa’s starter workload, though brief in this game, remains part of a tandem strategy that AHL clubs increasingly favor to manage development and workload.

Industry-wise, the contest reflects broader AHL trends where special teams efficiency and goaltender depth are pivotal to winning stretches. For Toronto’s fanbase and the local hockey economy, a sweep and an exciting late-game finish create buzz that can translate into stronger home interest and increased visibility for players vying for NHL attention. Development milestones like Valis’ multi-goal power-play night and Haymes’ clutch scoring can raise individual stock in a league that serves as a proving ground.

The Marlies leave the weekend with tangible momentum and renewed confidence in their power play as they move into the next slate of games. For fans watching player trajectories, Valis, Shaw, and Haymes provided concrete reasons to follow Toronto’s immediate stretch and monitor how special teams carry forward.