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.
The following night, the IceCaps dropped the Marlies 3-2. Kyle Neuber scored his first career AHL/pro goal in the loss. Greg Scott scored the other Marlie goal. Mark Owuya made 35 saves in his first AHL action since December 3.
On Friday night, Matt Frattin scored the overtime winner to beat the Rochester Americans, 2-1. Ben Scrivens made 25 saves in the win.
The Bulldogs handed Toronto a 2-1 loss on Sunday afternoon at Copps Coliseum. Marcel Mueller was the lone goal scorer for the Marlies.
***
Notes:
– The Marlies are currently first in the North Division and third in the Western Conference with a record of 21-15-3-2 for 47 points. The Marlies will play their next three games on the road and return to Ricoh Coliseum on January 28 against Rochester.
– Ryan Hamilton scored his team-leading 17th goal of the season on Tuesday versus the IceCaps. The Marlies captain ranks ninth in the AHL in goals.
– Mike Zigomanis has notched 10 points (three goals, seven assists) over his last nine games. He leads all Marlie skaters with 36 points. Zigomanis is fourth in the AHL in power play assists and 11th in points.
– The Marlies penalty killing unit ranks second overall in the AHL with an 87.0% success rate. Toronto has only allowed three power play goals over their past eight games.
– Jussi Rynnas has posted a 4-0-0 record with a 0.56 goals against average and 0.981 save percentage in the month of January.
– The Marlies are 15-0-0-0 when leading after 40 minutes.
– Jerry D—Amigo ranks first on the Marlies with three game-winning goals.
-Toronto will play 10 straight home contests from February 4 to February 26.
– The AHL announced on Wednesday that Dallas Eakins was named to the coaching staff for the Western Conference 2012 AHL All-Star Classic.
– The Outdoor Classic between the Marlies and Bulldogs on Saturday will be aired live on Sportsnet.
***
What’s Next:
On Saturday, the Marlies travel to face off against their division rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Outdoor Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium. The two clubs have met four times this season, with the Bulldogs holding a 3-1-0-0 advantage over Toronto, including winning three straight times. The Bulldogs have out-scored the Marlies 13-9 so far this season. Hamilton currently ranks third in the North Division with a record of 17-16-1-4 for 39 points. The Bulldogs have only lost three times in regulation time over their past 10 contests. Aaron Palushaj leads all Bulldog skaters with 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 24 games. The Marlies power play is 23.1 % against their division rivals through the first four games. Toronto—s penalty kill on the road enters the week ranked third at 87.4%. The Marlies and Bulldogs will meet again the following week on January 27 at Copps Coliseum.
***
Reading Report:
The Reading Royals rank third in the Atlantic Division with a 15-16-3-3 record. The Royals are 5-4-0-1 in their last 10 games. Dale Mitchell has recorded 14 points (10 goals, four assists) in 15 games.”
