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. Christian McCaffrey Youth Jersey .com) - SirDominic Pointer posted career highs of 24 points and seven steals to lead No. Will Grier Panthers Jersey . Vonn had another scary moment at Saturdays World Cup downhill in Val dIsere, ending up clutching her knee in pain after losing her balance and missing a gate. But she gave a reassuring answer shortly afterward, saying no new damage had been done to the surgically repaired knee, and that her plans for the Sochi Olympics were still intact. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panther...il-blue-jersey/. 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DETROIT LIONS AT CHICAGO BEARS, 1:00 PM (ET) Detroit - G Rodney Austin, WR Ryan Broyles, DT Nick Fairley, QB Kellen Moore, DT Caraun Reid, CB Mohammed Seisay, DE Larry Webster Chicago - S Chris Conte, DT Brandon Dunn, QB David Fales, K Robbie Gould, CB Terrance Mitchell, OT Michael Ola, DE Trevor Scott GREEN BAY PACKERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 1:00 PM (ET) Green Bay - LB Carl Bradford, DT Bruce Gaston, C Garth Gerhart, CB Davon House, WR Jeff Janis, TE Justin Perillo, QB Scott Tolzien Tampa Bay - OT Anthony Collins, CB Isaiah Frey, WR Robert Herron, RB Mike James, WR Solomon Patton, FB/TE Evan Rodriguez, LB Lawrence Sidbury KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 1:00 PM (ET) Kansas City - WR Donnie Avery, CB Marcus Cooper, OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OL Eric Kush, QB Aaron Murray, RB Charcandrick West, DT Nick Williams Pittsburgh - WR Justin Brown, DE Clifton Geathers, G Chris Hubbard, QB Landry Jones, S Troy Polamalu, TE Matt Spaeth, CB Ike Taylor MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS, 1:00 PM (ET) Minnesota - LB Anthony Barr, OT Carter Bykowski, DB Ahmad Dixon, OT Charlie Johnson, FB Zach Line, CB Shaun Prater, TE Kyle Rudolph Miami - G Nate Garner, WR Matt Hazel, S Don Jones, WR Rishard Matthews, LB Chris McCain, G Dallas Thomas, RB Daniel Thomas NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT NEW YORK JETS, 1:00 PM (ET) New England - CB Kyle Arrington, RB LeGarrette Blount, OL Dan Connolly, CB Alfonzo Dennard, OT Jordan Devey, WR Julian Edelman, RB James White NY Jets - DT T. Luke Kuechly Panthers Jersey . Three days after falling to Hamilton, Abbotsford scored three goals in 53 seconds en route to a convincing 5-1 win over the Bulldogs Saturday in American Hockey League play.Joe Root starred for England this winter as his side beat South Africa in a Test series and reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20. The batsman will return to the cricket field on Sunday, May 1 for Yorkshires County Championship clash at Nottinghamshire, live on Sky Sports 2. Joe Root will don his Yorkshire kit at Trent Bridge from May 1 Root prepared for the match by taking on Enggland team-mates Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes in long-hitting contest at Woburn Golf Club.dddddddddddd.Hit the video above to see Root reveal which of the three powered the ball furthest, as well as hear his views on Englands winter, the ECBs helmet regulations and more. Then catch Root in action for Yorkshire against Nottinghamshire from 10.30am, Sunday, May 1 on Sky Sports 2. Also See: WATCH: Root bowls out Stokes! Live cricket on Sky Yorkshire fixtures/results Bumbles Blog ' ' '