GDT: Toronto Marlies vs Hamilton Bulldogs

by Declan Kerin on January 2, 2013 in Toronto Marlies - 520 Comments

Photo: KARA WILSON / BRANTFORD EXPOSITOR / QMI AGENCY

The Toronto Marlies look to continue their strong play of late (1st in the Western Conference) as they face-off against the slumping Hamilton Bulldogs. Toronto leads the season series 4-2 over Hamilton.

From Marlies.ca

The Toronto Marlies earned three out of a possible four points this past week. On Friday night in Michigan, the Marlies fell to the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, by a score of 3-2 in a shootout. Will Acton and Matt Frattin recorded goals for Toronto in regulation and Ben Scrivens stopped 24 of 26 shots. The Griffins managed two goals in the shootout, while Joe Colborne registered the only tally for Toronto. Saturday night marked the second half of a back-to-back between the two teams. Toronto defeated Grand Rapids by a score of 3-1 at the Van Andel arena. Ryan Hamilton had his third multi-goal game of the season and Carter Ashton added the other tally for Toronto. Jussi Rynnas made 27 saves to earn his fifth victory of the year.

• Head Coach Dallas Eakins will return to the AHL AllStar game for the second time in as many seasons. He was an assistant coach for Oklahoma City’s Todd Nelson last year
• The Marlies have won 10 of their last 13 games and are currently on an eight game point streak
• Paul Ranger ranks seventh (tie) in AHL plus/minus (+14)
• Captain Ryan Hamilton ranks eighth (tie) in AHL goals (14). Hamilton has nine goals in his last 11 games
• Keith Aucoin ranks sixth (tie) in AHL points (32) and second (tie) in AHL assists (25)
• Mike Kostka ranks third in AHL powerplay assists (12)
• Toronto has not lost back-to-back games since November 25

Toronto plays host to the Hamilton Bulldogs, AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, tonight at Ricoh Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Toronto has posted a record of 4-2-0-0 against Hamilton so far this season. Gabriel Dumont and Brendan Gallagher lead the Bulldogs in points with 18 in 31 games. On Saturday afternoon, Toronto will play host to the Rockford IceHogs, AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, at 3 p.m.

Martin St. Pierre leads the IceHogs in points with 30 in 33 games. Rockford currently ranks eighth in the Western Conference with 36 points.

In their last game of the week, the Marlies travel to Hamilton for a Tuesday night game with the Bulldogs. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. The game will mark the eighth of 12 meetings between the two teams this season.

Tags: Dallas Eakins, Hamilton Bulldogs, Toronto Marlies Print article