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TORONTO -- Mired in a 10-game scoring slump dating back to the regular season, Marlies forward Spencer Abbott elected to go against a popular post-season trend and shave his playoff beard Thursday morning. The move paid off as Abbott scored a natural hat trick to lead the Toronto Marlies to a 4-1 win over the Texas Stars that ties the American Hockey Leagues Western Conference final at two. "It wasnt working for me personally so I decided to switch something up," said Abbott of the fresh shave. "I was kind of hearing it when I first did it there, but I guess now they cant really say a whole lot. I was in a bit of a slump there and its nice to get that off my back. Getting three is just a bonus." Added Marlies coach Steve Spott: "(He) wanted to reset and a fresh start so he definitely did that. Im going to get to the Shoppers Drug Mart, maybe get some razors. Its funny how superstition plays a part of this. Whatever works, but it definitely worked for Spencer tonight." Abbott, who had not scored in seven playoff games after missing 12 games with a shoulder injury, picked up all three goals on Marlies power plays. Defenceman T.J. Brennan assisted on all three Abbott goals while Peter Holland extended his point streak to eight games with two assists. "I think its all a credit to my line mates," said Holland of the streak. "Ive been playing with great players and Spotters been putting me in great situations in order to get the job done and when the power play is going, you can get on the score sheet. As long as were winning, the points dont really matter to me." With Marlies defenceman Andrew MacWilliam off for boarding at 14:26 of the third, the Stars pulled goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp giving Texas a two minute, two-man advantage, but the visitors were unable to capitalize. Following the penalty kill, Jerry DAmigo added an empty netter to give Toronto a four-goal cushion. However, with just 1:42 remaining, Radek Faksa spoiled Marlies goaltender Drew MacIntyres bid for his third shutout of the post-season. MacIntyre made 27 saves for his ninth win of the playoffs, while Nilstorp stopped 24 shots in the loss. "Weve done a good job this year with responding when weve dealt with adversity," said Spott. "We lost two in a row, we definitely didnt play the way that we wanted to play (Wednesday). "The first (goal) was big, but the second one, thats the one thats been a challenge for us. Weve done a pretty good job getting the first goal in this series, but we wanted to have the push back right away to try to get the second one and try to back them off." With the win, Toronto avoided losing three straight for the second time all season (Nov. 9-14). Abbott opened the scoring at 1:36 of the first period, beating Nilstorp from the point. On the Marlies second power play of the night, Abbott put home the rebound off of a Brennan point shot past a sprawling Nilstorp. Holland nearly made it 3-0 at 11:20 of the first, beating Nilstorp but hitting the post. Toronto has now out-scored opponents 16-3 in the opening frame during the Calder Cup playoffs. Abbott completed the hat trick at 7:05 of the second on a two-man advantage, beating Nilstorp who was screened well by Toronto forward Josh Leivo. "It was pretty obvious we were giving him the gears a little bit before the game, but hey, whatever you need to do," said Holland of Abbotts shave. "If hes going to score three goals and hes going to help us win, then thats fine by us, but were going to ride him a little bit longer, thats for sure." The Marlies finished 3 for 6 with the man advantage while holding the Stars scoreless on five tries. Stars forward Chris Mueller had his five-game point streak halted in the loss. Notes: Marlies defenceman Korbinian Holzer missed the game with a lower-body injury and was replaced by Dylan Yeo. Veteran centre Jerred Smithson replaced Tyler Biggs on Torontos fourth line. ... Toronto FC midfielder Dwayne DeRosario dropped the puck in a pre-game ceremonial faceoff. ... Game 5 of the series goes Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum. Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys . Cilic cruised to victory, beating the seventh-seeded Seppi 6-1, 6-3 in just 72 minutes. He faced only one break point, winning 24 out of 29 points played on the first serve. USA Soccer Pro Shop . But San Diego had even more trouble against right-hander Tanner Roark, who pitched a three-hitter for the first complete game of his career as the Nationals shut out the Padres 4-0. The 27-year-old set down the first 16 batters before San Diego catcher Rene Rivera, an . https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/. It was the first game back in Columbus for Rangers star Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets franchise leader in goals, assists and games. He was given a standing ovation during a video tribute in the first period, but was booed loud and long after a second-period, two-handed shove up high on Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys USA Soccer Shirts .com) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were among the third-round winners Friday at the French Open.SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Alex Smith arrived in San Francisco with the pressure of being the No. 1 overall draft pick. He got called a draft bust, then turned the tide to win back those same fans who had booed him out of Candlestick Park.Smith got hurt, bounced back, started and was benched, then regained his job and lost it once more. All the while as he adjusted to a new offensive co-ordinator and system nearly every year.Smith will be the first to say his up-and-down tenure with the 49ers hardly went how he hoped when he left Utah as the NFLs top choice in 2005. When he takes the field at Levis Stadium in the other uniform Sunday with Kansas City, there will be mixed emotions for everybody involved.No bitterness at all, Smith said. What happened there the end of the (2012) year, losing my job, you get to that point and I say this a lot, worrying about anything that was outside your control and dwelling on any of that stuff is only going to have a negative impact.He is coming off a statement game in a 41-14 Monday night win by the Chiefs (2-2) against Tom Brady and the Patriots. Smith threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns.I cant wait to see him. Me and Alex came in together, and Im so happy for him, said running back Frank Gore, a staunch supporter of Smith over the years. Hes doing a great job. Weve got to go out there and try to get a win. But Im happy for Alex and I love him, man.Smith considered leaving the Bay Area for good after the 2010 season. He stuck around, then in 2011 led teammates through their own practices at nearby San Jose State during the lockout.He had unfinished business, and then it was time to go.I felt like it was complete. I felt like we had rebounded, Smith said. It took a lot longer than I thought, got the organization back where it needed to be.That 2011 year, Smith rallied his team from behind five times, including four away games, as the Niners went 6-2 on the road. His 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with 9 seconds remaining in the NFC division playoffs lifted the 49ers to a 36-32 victory against the favoured Saints.And Smith was rewarded with a new three-year contract in March 2012 with the idea he would carry the offence again. A concussion and a strong-armed guy named Colin changed all that.Colin Kaepernick took over for good in November and Smiith never regained his job even when healthy.dddddddddddd He was stung, angry at times, and didnt agree with the decision. But he kept his mouth shut.One of the classiest people Ive ever been around, just an all-around great guy. I dont think anyone could have handled it any better than he did, Kaepernick said Wednesday. He definitely made things go a lot smoother. The way he handled things, he didnt turn it into a controversy in the locker room. That just shows the character he has not just as a player but as a man.Smith finds it funny this week to be watching 49ers defensive stars Justin Smith and Patrick Willis on tape.Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula was among Smiths supporters. It was Tomsula who started him over Troy Smith, which made him a winner in a one-game stint as interim head coach to end the 2010 season after Mike Singletary was fired.I have a tremendous amount of respect for Alex Smith a€” as a man, a father, a husband, a person, and a football player, Tomsula said. I think hes extremely intelligent, extremely gifted, I think hes a winner. I dont have a negative about Alex Smith, I just really think the world of him.In 2011, Smith thrived under 15-year quarterback-turned-first-year NFL head coach Jim Harbaugh and helped lead the franchise to its first post-season berth and winning record in nine years.Largely because of Smiths leadership then, the 49ers have emerged as a regular contender again. He threw for 3,150 yards and 17 touchdowns with only five interceptions in 2011 as arguably the biggest surprise in San Franciscos 13-3 run to its first division title since 2002.We have great respect for his game. Ive never seen Alex Smith not be good, Harbaugh said. Im sure that adds to it, adds to the competitiveness the fact Alex did play here. Very happy for his success, not rooting for success for him this week.Andy Reid, who returned to Philadelphia in his first season coaching the Chiefs last year, offered his own insight to Smith.What I did was I just ordered a cheesesteak and went and coached, Reid said. You eliminate the clutter. You focus in on what you do. All that stuff, going home, that doesnt mean anything.___AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City contributed to this report.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '