ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Robbie Earl had a hat trick and the Toronto Marlies rode three short-handed goals to a 4-2 victory over the struggling Rochester Americans in American Hockey League action Friday.

Earl opened the scoring with a short-handed goal 16:30 into the first period, and added a power-play goal 15:02 into the second to give the Marlies a 2-1 lead. He completed the hat trick with 20 seconds left in regulation, as Toronto found itself two men down thanks to a minor penalty and a Rochester extra attacker.

Simon Gamache also scored a short-handed goal for the Marlies (19-5-0-4), who have points in four straight games (3-0-0-1).

Mark Mancari and Clarke MacArthur replied with power-play goals for the Americans (10-18-1-2), who have dropped eight in a row. The teams combined for 20 man-advantage opportunities in the penalty-filled affair.

Scott Clemmensen stopped 27 shots in the Toronto victory.

Rochester's Tyler Plante made 26 saves in relief.