Toronto Marlies
With the quirky best-of-five quarterfinal arrangement in the AHL playoffs, holding serve at home puts the higher [more…]
Short post, as a supplement to Anthony Petrielli and his fine Marlies roundup from Game 1, here is a downloadable .pdf depicting the Toronto Marlies players [more…]
In case you haven't heard, the Toronto Marlies beat the Rochester Americans last night 4-3 to take a 1-0 lead in their first round best of five playoff series.
The game story and video highlights can be found here on the Marlies website. The readers digest version goes like this: the Marlies took the play to Rochester in the first, yet it was Rochester who finished the first period with a 1-0 lead. The Americans' goalie, David Leggio, was peppered with shots throughout the game and the Marlies D'Amigo finally broke through in the second period as the two teams went into the third period tied at one. The Marlies then scored two goals to take what looked like a commanding lead, only for Rochester to storm back and tie the game. D'Amigo scored once again with under five minutes to take a final 4-3 lead as the Marlies held on for the win.
I linked the game story because I don't plan on writing them. Below I have some game notes, interesting tidbits and takeaways from conversations I was lucky to have with the players. I want to supplement the standard game stories that can be found on numerous websites rather than duplicate them. So here it goes: [more…]
Professional playoff hockey is back in Toronto for the first time since 2009 as the Toronto Marlies begin their Calder Cup bid tonight with Game 1 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the  Rochester Americans.
The Marlies will have Jake Gardiner and Matt Frattin in the lineup tonight, but those NHL additions are matched by the Amerks' inclusion of Marcus Foligno, Brayden McNabb and T.J. Brennan, who all finished the season with the Buffalo Sabres. The Marlies have also added St. Michael's Majors defenceman and first round selection of 2011 Stuart Percy to the blueline for the playoffs.
The feisty Foligno put up an incredible six goals and seven assists in his first 14 games as an NHL'er and could be a physical and offensive force to be reckoned with for the Marlies in this series. Meanwhile, the NHL's best rookie defenceman this season, Jake Gardiner, will be expected to be a two-way stud for the Marlies throughout these playoffs.
The North Division rivals have played each other tight all season. The Marlies took seven of the ten regular season meetings, but each game was decided by just a goal as the Marlies outscored Rochester by a 27-23 margin. A low scoring season series suggests the goaltending battle between Ben Scrivens, who posted the AHL's best goals against average this season, and Amerks netminder David Leggio will be an especially key matchup in the series. [more…]
A three-part video series to get you ready for the Marlies' playoff bid. It all begins tonight at 7 p.m.
Courtesy of the Marlies:
"The Toronto Marlies have clinched the Sam Pollock Trophy, which is handed out annually to the North Division’s top team during the regular season. Last night, they became the fourth team in the AHL to clinch their division. The Marlies also won the Sam Pollock Trophy in 2007-08, making it to the Western Conference Finals that year before losing to the eventual Calder Cup champion, Chicago Wolves.
The Marlies currently sit second in the AHL’s Western Conference with 89 points and own a 41-23-4-3 record. Over their past 10 games the Marlies have posted a record of 8-2-0-0 and are on a three-game winning streak. They trail only the Oklahoma City Barons, AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, by six points for first place overall in the Conference.
The Marlies success this season has not been limited to the action on the ice. The home attendance at Ricoh Coliseum is averaging more than 5,400 fans per game, which is up 22-percent from last season. Toronto owns a record of 22-10-3-1 on home ice this season. Their 22 home victories rank first in the Western Conference and is tied for second in the league. [more…]
We're going to try to post regular Marlies updates as they embark on their Calder Cup bid. Here's this week's release from the Marlies:
"The Marlies collected a pair of victories over their three games last week. On Wednesday morning the Marlies skated to a 2-1 shootout victory against the Lake Erie Monsters. Greg Scott opened the scoring early in the first. Ben Scrivens made 18 saves, and stopped all four Lake Erie shootout attempts, earning first star honors. Ryan Hamilton and Joe Colborne both scored for the Marlies in the shootout.
On Saturday, the Marlies blanked the Monsters 1-0 in a shootout at Quicken Loans Arena. It was their second straight shootout win against the Monsters. Joe Colborne and Josh Engel both scored in the shootout. Ben Scrivens stopped all 36 shots for his fourth shutout of the season and was named the game’s second star.
Toronto dropped a 4-2 decision to the Texas Stars on Sunday at Ricoh Coliseum. Marcel Mueller and Greg Scott netted the two Marlies goals in the contest. [more…]
The Marlies are set to drop the puck against Rochester, Toronto's closest competition in the North Division (four points back of the Marlies), at the Ricoh (11 a.m. start). A good time for your weekly update from the Marlies:
"The Marlies dropped the Syracuse Crunch 5-2 on Friday night at the Oncenter. Simon Gysbers’ goal early in the second period held up to be the game-winner. Philippe Dupuis notched three points, including his first goal of the season. Mike Zigomanis had a goal and a helper. Ryan Hamilton also had two assists, while Ben Scrivens made 37 saves on 39 shots. Marcel Mueller and Will Acton were the other two Marlie goal scorers. [more…]
The Marlies are in Syracuse tonight for a Friday night matchup against the Crunch (7:30 p.m. puck drop) before returning home for a ten-game home stretch. Your weekly release from the Marlies:
"The Marlies went 1-2-0-0 in their three games last week. Toronto opened the week on Thursday night with a 6-2 win over the Lake Erie Monsters. The Marlies scored five times in the first period, with Joe Colborne’s goal holding up to be the game-winner. Matt Frattin scored twice in the game and was the game’s first star. Korbinian Holzer and Jesse Blacker both recorded +4 ratings in the win. Jerry D’Amigo and Mike Zigomanis both scored shorthanded tallies.
The following night in Hamilton, the Marlies dropped a 4-1 decision to the Bulldogs at Copps Coliseum. Matt Frattin was the lone Marlie goal scorer. Mark Owuya got the start, making 24 saves in a losing effort. [more…]
"The Marlies scored seven times to drop the Hamilton Bulldogs 7-2 at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Saturday afternoon. After the Bulldogs went ahead 1-0 just 27 seconds into the game, the Marlies responded with three first period goals. Marcel Mueller pushed the Marlies lead to 4-1 mid-way through the second period. Hamilton made it a two-goal game going into the second intermission. [more…]
Your weekly AHL update courtesy of the Toronto Marlies:
"The Marlies went 2-2-0-0 over their past four games on the road. Toronto played a two game series against the St. Johns IceCaps to begin the week. Toronto won the first game on Tuesday night, 4-2 behind Ryan Hamilton’s two-point evening. The Marlies scored three first period goals to help propel them past the IceCaps. Jussi Rynnas made 20 saves on 21 shots for the win. Mike Zigomanis chipped in with a goal and a helper. [more…]
The Marlies have been slowing down as of late but still own top spot in the North Division. Your weekly release from the Marlies:
"The Marlies dropped a 6-3 contest to the Hamilton Bulldogs in front of 13,238 fans at Air Canada Centre on Monday. Toronto scored three goals in the first five minutes of the game, but then the Bulldogs responded with six unanswered goals. Jerry D’Amigo, Joe Colborne and Ryan Hamilton scored the goals for the Marlies. Mike Zigomanis led all Marlie skaters with two points, both assists. Olivier Fortier scored twice for Hamilton and Robert Mayer made all 29 shots he faced in a relief effort.
Toronto defeated the Rockford IceHogs last Wednesday night. After a scoreless first two periods, D’Amigo netted his seventh goal of the season to put the Marlies on the board first. Marcel Mueller’s goal late in the period held up to be the game-winner in a 4-1 Marlies win. Ben Scrivens made 30 saves and was the game’s second star. [more…]
