1/26: Marlies This Week
Your weekly Marlies release:
“Last Week:
The Marlies went 2-2-0-0 in four games last week. Toronto lost a pair of games against the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday and Wednesday at MTS Centre. Bill Sweatt scored the game’s winning goals in both contests. On Saturday at Ricoh Coliseum, the Marlies played their first home game since December 30. James Reimer made 29 saves for his fourth career shutout and third of the season. Nazem Kadri potted three assists and Christian Hanson’s first period tally held up to be the game-winner.
The Marlies dropped the Houston Aeros on Sunday evening, 4-2, after allowing the game’s first two goals. It was only the second time this season the Marlies have won after trailing through two periods. Simon Gysbers scored the game winner in the third period and also chipped in with two assists.
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Notes:
- The Marlies returned home on Saturday after going 3-4-0-2 on their nine game, 21-day road trip. Toronto blanked the Peoria Rivermen 4-0 on Saturday and then defeated the Houston Aeros, 4-2 on Sunday.
- Mike Zigomanis notched four points last week (one goal, three assists). Zigomanis set up two Marlie goals on Sunday in the team’s 4-2 win over Houston.
- The Marlies improved to 8-2-0-4 against the West Division this season with a pair of wins over the weekend against Peoria and Houston.
- Ben Scrivens has posted a record of 2-1-2 with a 1.80 goals against average and 0.939 save percentage.
- On Tuesday the American Hockey League announced that defenceman Keith Aulie has been added to the Western Conference roster for the AHL All-Star Classic.
- The Marlies penalty killing unit currently ranks second in the AHL with an 86.4% success rate. Toronto has only allowed four power play goals over their last 12 games (53-for-57).
- The Marlies begin a stretch where they will play seven of their next nine games on the road. Toronto holds a record of 13-10-0-5 away from Ricoh Coliseum. Their 13 road victories ranks first in the North Division and tied for third in the Western Conference.
- Nazem Kadri tallied three assists on Saturday in the Marlies 4-0 win over Peoria. He continues about a point-a-game pace, now sitting with 7 goals and 14 assists for 21 points in as many games.
- James Reimer made 29 saves on Saturday for his third shutout of the season. The following day Reimer was recalled by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Points Leaders:
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts |
| Mike Zigomanis | 39 | 8 | 22 | 30 |
| Fabian Brunnstrom | 43 | 11 | 13 | 24 |
| Christian Hanson | 37 | 11 | 12 | 23 |
| Matt Lashoff | 47 | 5 | 18 | 23 |
| Marcel Mueller | 41 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
| Justin Hodgman | 31 | 8 | 13 | 21 |
| Nazem Kadri | 21 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
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North Division Standings:
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts |
| Hamilton | 44 | 26 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 57 |
| Manitoba | 43 | 25 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 56 |
| Toronto | 47 | 22 | 18 | 0 | 7 | 51 |
| Lake Erie | 49 | 21 | 21 | 3 | 4 | 49 |
| Abbotsford | 46 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 4 | 48 |
| Grand Rapids | 46 | 20 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 45 |
| Rochester | 46 | 18 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 41 |
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Upcoming Opponents:
The Marlies travel to Cleveland to play the Lake Erie Monsters on Wednesday
night. Toronto holds a record of 1- 2-0-0 against their division rivals this season. The matchup will mark the third time the two teams have faced off against each other at Quicken Loans Arena. The Monsters are currently two points behind Toronto in the North Division standings.
The Syracuse Crunch host the Marlies on Friday night at the Oncenter. The Crunch sit seventh in the East Division with a record of 16-24-1-4 for 37 points. The Marlies beat the Crunch 2-1 on November 27 with Josh Engel scoring the game-winning tally.
The Marlies return home on Saturday afternoon to host the Manitoba Moose. It will mark the first of four times the Moose come to Toronto this season. The Marlies lost back-to-back games against Manitoba last week at the MTS Centre.
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Reading Report:
The Reading Royals currently rank first in the Atlantic division with a record of 24-11-2-2. The Royals defeated the Everblades, 5-4 in Florida on Saturday night, snapping a four game winless skid. Reading has only lost two games in regulation over their past 10. This week is the ECHL All-Star game.”
