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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- If Toronto Marlies coach Dallas Eakins could take anything away from Wednesday nights loss to Grand Rapids, it was that his team showed perseverance. The Marlies battled back from a two-goal deficit before finally succumbing to the Griffins 5-4 in Game 3 of the American Hockey League Western Conference semifinals. The Griffins now own a 2-1 series lead entering Game 4 Friday night in Grand Rapids. "That was huge, and thats maybe one of the positives we take," Eakins said. "Our guys are resilient, and weve been through this playoff run before. They fully understand that you are never out of a game. I liked our push back, and I liked that we were able to come back, but we needed to play better defensively." The Marlies found themselves in a two-goal hole early, as Grand Rapids notched a pair of goals in the first six minutes of the game. It wasnt the start Toronto was hoping for after a Game 2 home win to even the series. "We got down two goals, and you dont want to do that to start off the game, but we regrouped and there was no panic on the bench," said Marlies right winger Carter Ashton, who had a goal and an assist. "It was a matter of believing in our system and executing." The Marlies got one back near the end of the first period when Ryan Hamilton scored in his first game since rejoining the team from the Maple Leafs. Grand Rapids took a 3-1 lead less than three minutes into the second on a goal by Tomas Tatar, but the Marlies answered with a pair of timely goals. Toronto made it 3-2 on an unassisted goal from Spencer Abbott, and tied it five minutes later on a power goal by Greg McKegg, who trickled in a shot past Grand Rapids goalie Petr Mrazek. The Griffins regained the lead with nearly three minutes remaining in the second as Francis Pare pushed a shot over MacIntyres shoulder to put Grand Rapids ahead 4-3. The Marlies gave up a goal 46 seconds in to fall behind again by two goals, but Ashton cut the gap to 5-4 with 15 minutes left in regulation. Toronto nearly tied it in the last three minutes but a short-handed shot by Mike Zigomanis deflected off the post. The play was reviewed, but it didnt turn out in Torontos favor. "We wouldve liked a little better luck on that," Eakins said. "Off the post, wide open net, and I know Ziggy wont sleep much tonight thinking about that." Grand Rapids outshot the Marlies 32-20, while MacIntyre finished with 27 stops. "We need more attempts at the net, and thats not even shot selection," Eakins said. "Thats getting the puck into the zone and getting it deep. We had certain individuals who wanted to do things on their own, and we were turning pucks over early and that denies you shots at their net." The Marlies and Griffins were both 1 for 4 on the power play. Mrazek had 16 saves. Kevin Faulk Womens Jersey . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. John Hannah Patriots Jersey . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. http://www.shoptheofficialpatriots.com/Elite-John-Hannah-Patriots-Jersey/ . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Drew Bledsoe Youth Jersey . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Tedy Bruschi Youth Jersey . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets hit nearly all their shots at the start, and Trevor Booker made the stops at the end.Brook Lopez had 34 points and 11 rebounds, Sean Kilpatrick added 24 points, and the Nets beat the Pistons 109-101 on Wednesday night.We made some big plays down the stretch that really sealed the deal, Booker said. It was a tremendous game by everybody. Defensive plays by me, offense by Sean and Brook. It was a great team effort.Brooklyn hit 16 of its 20 shots in the first quarter to take a 38-30 advantage. The Nets had more turnovers (5) than misses. Brooklyns first miss came at the 6:03 mark in the first when Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was off on a 3-pointer. Lopez had 14 in the first quarter and 24 by the end of the first half to lead the Nets as Brooklyn took a 71-55 lead to the locker room.Detroit cut the lead to 11 heading into the fourth quarter and then as close as five with 1:34 remaining.Booker stole a rebound from Aaron Baynes with 1:20 remaining and then blocked a Caldwell-Pope layup on the break with 58 seconds remaining. After Bojan Bogdanovic then hit two free throws and Harris responded with a three with 38 seconds to go, Booker grabbed an offensive rebound with 16 seconds remaining before finding Lopez on the wing. Lopez was fouled and hit two free throws.Those plays are just so huge for us, Lopez said. He always brings that intensity and its definitely contagious. If we can continue to play the way we did tonight as far as energy, effort and plays like that, 50-50 balls, well be alright.Despite the win, it wasnt all good news for Brooklyn. Already think at point guard with Greivis Vasquez out, Jeremy Lin left the game with a strained left hamstring.No update yet, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. The doctor said hell let me know. Theyre still evaluating, theyll evaluate him again tomorrow when he comes to the facility. We can have more for you then.Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris each scored 23 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 15 points and Jon Leuer added 11 for the Pistons.We didnt guard anybody, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. We came with no energy. We couldnt keep up with their pace. We couldnt guard them on pick and rolll.dddddddddddd Brooklyn played very well, moved the ball, shot the ball very well. They outplayed us for 48 minutes in every aspect of the game. Every game is a new game and we brought nothing to the table defensively tonight and we couldnt guard anybody, so of course its disappointing.TIP-INSPistons: Van Gundy praised the addition of Ish Smith. We wanted a backup point guard who would push the pace a little bit more, really pick up the tempo of the game, which I knew he would do, he said. I had Ish for a short time in Orlando and also knew what kind of person he is and I thought hed be a great team guy for us. ... Reggie Bullock (back spasms) and Reggie Jackson (left knee rehab) were out.Nets: Lopez made multiple 3-pointers in a game for the first time in his career. ... Brooklyns 38-point first quarter was the teams highest scoring quarter of the season. ... Randy Foye (mild strain, right hamstring), Greivis Vasquez (sore right ankle) and Caris LeVert (left foot rehab) were out.VAN GUNDY ON RESTING PLAYERSLook, Im not one to do it, Van Gundy said. Our guys get paid to play 82 games. Everybody thats healthy will play for us every single night, but thats just us. Unfortunately, youve got to be willing to -- as a coach now -- youre going to get criticized for that. If you try to win every game, you get criticized for that now. You dont have a long-term vision and youre short sighted. That all may be true of me, but were going to put our best guys out there every night and try to win. Its been a little surprising to me the guys being rested already. I mean are guys really worn down already? Were four games into the year and guys are resting their players. That part has been surprising to me. I know its a league-wide trend as we get into the season, but I really didnt expect to see it the first week to be quite honest.UP NEXTPistons: Host Denver on Saturday. Detroit heads to Denver as winners of three of its last four games.Nets: Host Charlotte on Friday. Brooklyn looks to get its first winning streak of the season against the Hornets. ' ' '