2/15: Marlies This Week
Aaron Voros, acquired from the Ducks today, will initially report to the Marlies (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
As the Marlies prepare for tonight’s meeting with the Moose, here’s your weekly release:
“The Marlies went 1-2-0-0 in three games last week. On Wednesday morning the Marlies dropped the Connecticut Whale, 9-2. Toronto announced their largest crowd of the year, as 7,779 school kids packed Ricoh Coliseum. Christian Hanson led the way for the Marlies with a goal and four assists. Danny Richmond added four helpers and recorded a plus-five rating. Captain Alex Foster notched two goals and two assists as well.
On Friday night in Abbotsford, the Marlies lost 4-1 to the Heat. Ryan Stone scored a hat trick for Abbotsford and Ryan Hamilton netted the Marlies lone goal. John Mitchell made his Marlies season debut in the loss.
The following night, Leland Irving made 26 saves to shutout the Marlies, 3-0. It was the third time this season that Toronto has been shutout.
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Notes:
-Brian Burke on Tuesday announced the acquisition of tough guy Aaron Voros from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional 7th round pick. The draft selection will remain with the Leafs if Voros, whose contract expires at season’s end, isn’t re-signed. Burke has expressed a desire to have Voros play with the Leafs at some point during the remainder of the season but Voros is subject to re-entry waivers if recalled. He will initially report to the Marlies.
- The Marlies will play eight straight home games beginning on Friday night when the host the Hamilton Bulldogs. Four of the eight games will be against North Division opponents.
- Toronto’s penalty killing unit has been solid through their first 54 games this season, ranking second in the AHL with an 86.8% success rate. They’ve allowed only seven power play goals over their past 19 games, going 79-for-87 during that stretch.
- The Marlies 15 road victories currently rank first in the North Division.
- Simon Gysbers has notched 10 points (two goals, eight assists) over his past eight games. Gysbers potted a goal and an assist on Wednesday in the team’s 9-2 win over the Whale.
- Justin Hodgman was recalled from Reading on Monday afternoon. In three games with the Royals, Hodgman registered one assist. Hodgman has recorded 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) with the Marlies in 31 games this season.
- The Marlies are currently 19-0-3 when leading after 40 minutes.
- Mike Zigomanis has notched points in eight of the past 13 games, recording three goals and seven assists during that span.
- Danny Richmond recorded a season-high four assists to go along with a plus-five rating on Wednesday morning against Connecticut.
- Nazem Kadri moved back into the rookie scoring race this past weekend. Kadri’s 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) currently ranks him 13th in the AHL in rookie scoring, despite only playing in 28 games with the Marlies.
- Christian Hanson was recalled by the Maple Leafs on Monday evening. Hanson ranks second on the Marlies in points with 29.
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Upcoming Opponents:
The Marlies open up their four game week with a pair of games against the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday and Wednesday night at MTS Centre. Toronto has yet to beat the Moose this season in their first three matchups against their division rivals. The Moose defeated the Marlies 3-1 on January 29 in their most recent contest. Manitoba currently leads the North Division but is 5-5-0-0 over their past 10 games.
The Marlies return from their four game road trip on Friday night when they host the Hamilton Bulldogs at Ricoh Coliseum. The Bulldogs are currently on a four game losing skid. The Marlies won 4-3 in a shootout the last time these two clubs met on December 26.
Toronto closes out their week on Saturday afternoon against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Marlies are 1-2-1 against Grand Rapids so far this season.
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Reading Report:
The Reading Royals currently rank first in the Atlantic division with a record of 31-13-2-3. Reading defeated Trenton 5-2 on Sunday afternoon. The Royals have posted a record of 7-2-0-1 over their past 10 games.”
