12/29: Marlies This Week
Marlies.ca
As the Marlies lead the Chicago Wolves 2-0 in the second period (goals from Christian Hanson and Darrly Boyce), here is your weekly Marlies release:
“Last Week:
The Marlies won two of their three games last week. On Tuesday night in Peoria, the Marlies snapped the Rivermen’s 13-game unbeaten streak with a 6-3 victory. Mike Zigomanis led the charge with three assists. Jeff Cowan scored his first goal as a Marlie in the win as well.
The following night in Grand Rapids, the Marlies erased a two-goal, third period deficit but fell 4-3 to the Griffins. Ilari Filppula score two goals for Grand Rapids, including the game-winner. Darryl Boyce finished the night with a goal and a helper. Ben Scrivens suffered his first regulation loss of the season.
On Sunday afternoon the Marlies dropped the Hamilton Bulldogs, 4-3 in a shootout. Keith Aulie scored twice and Jussi Rynnas didn’t allow a goal on six shooters in the shootout. Joey Crabb netted the shootout winner.
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Notes:
-Nazem Kadri has been reassigned to the Marlies but will spend two games on the sidelines due to suspension. His point per game over 14 appearances (5 goals, 9 assists) with the Marlies puts him seventh in team scoring, five back of second and seven back of team-leader Justin Hodgman (8 goals, 13 assists, 21 points).
- The Marlies host two home games this week and then will embark on a nine game, 21-day road trip that begins on December 31 in Grand Rapids.
- Toronto posts a record of 10-6-0-3 away from Ricoh Coliseum so far this season. Their 10 road victories rank fourth in the AHL. Last season the Marlies finished with an 11-22-3-4 road record.
- The Marlies penalty killing continues to be strong, ranking eighth in the AHL with an 84.3% success rate.
- Mike Zigomanis has posted five points (one goal, four assists) over his past four games. On Sunday against Hamilton, Zigomanis tallied his fifth goal of the season.
- The Marlies hold a record of 14-6-0-2 when being out-shot by their opponents this season.
- Danny Richmond had his three-game point streak snapped on Sunday.
- The Marlies leading scorer, Joey Crabb was recalled by the Maple Leafs on Tuesday morning. Crabb has 18 points (11 goals, seven assists) in 34 games with the Marlies.
- Jussi Rynnas has won his last two starts, making 58 saves on 64 shots.
- Christian Hanson took the Marlies first penalty shot of the season last Wednesday night in Grand Rapids. Hanson was unsuccessful in his attempt against former Marlies goaltender, Joey MacDonald.
- Mike Brennan paces the Marlies with a plus-10 rating; while Jay Rosehill leads the team with 79 penalty minutes.
- Toronto has a record of 15-2-0-2 when they score three or more goals in a game.
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Upcoming Opponents:
The Marlies kick off their three game week on Wednesday night when they host
the Chicago Wolves at Ricoh Coliseum. It will be the second of four meetings between the two clubs. The Wolves defeated the Marlies 5-1 on December 5 in Toronto. The Wolves currently rank sixth in the West Division with a 17-15-2-1 record.
On Thursday night the Marlies welcome the Rochester Americans for a 7:00 p.m. contest. Toronto has won only one game against the Amerks in four meetings so far this season. It will be the Marlies final home game of 2010 before hitting the
road for nine straight games.
The Marlies finish their 2010 calendar year on Friday night in Grand Rapids. The Griffins rank fifth in the North Division with a record of 15-15-1-4. Tomas Tatar paces the Griffins with 29 points this season (nine goals, 20 assists).
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Points Leaders:
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts |
| Justin Hodgman | 30 | 8 | 13 | 21 |
| Mike Zigomanis | 26 | 5 | 14 | 19 |
| Joey Crabb | 34 | 11 | 7 | 18 |
| Christian Hanson | 27 | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| Matt Lashoff | 34 | 3 | 13 | 16 |
| Darryl Boyce | 34 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
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North Division Standings:
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts |
| Hamilton | 33 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 43 |
| Toronto | 34 | 17 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 38 |
| Manitoba | 30 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 36 |
| Abbotsford | 34 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 36 |
| Grand Rapids | 35 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 35 | |
| Rochester | 33 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 33 |
| Lake Erie | 34 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 33 |
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Reading Report:
The Reading Royals currently rank first in the Atlantic division with a record of 19-9-0. The Royals have won 16 of their past 20 games, including three straight. Their 19 wins this season rank second (tie) in the entire ECHL. The Royals are back in action tonight when they host the Florida Everblades.“
