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TORONTO – On Wednesday morning, the Toronto Marlies took to the ice at Ricoh Coliseum as they prepare to head to Chicago on Thursday for their 2nd round matchup against the Wolves. Here’s what you need to know:
- Spencer Abbott and Peter Holland were cleared for contact and traded their red non-contact uniforms for white ones. Abbott, who’s been out since March 31st with an upper body injury, looked great on the ice.
- Abbott and Holland were re-united with Carter Ashton to form the team’s top line
- Towards the end of practice, Steve Spott had the 5 on 3 and 5 on 4 powerplay units working. Spencer Abbott was back on the blue line on the first powerplay unit which made his partner T.J. Brennan quite happy. “It’s definitely nice to have him (Abbott) and ‘holly’ (Peter Holland) back there, two really skilled guys who are going to be big for us.” Said Brennan. “Me and ‘abber’ (Spencer Abbott) have a good connection this year, and to have him back is huge.”
- The powerplay struggled in round 1, going 3/19, but Steve Spott said he isn’t concerned. “We scored timely powerplay goals,” Said Spott. “I think you have to give Milwaukee a lot of credit, they did a nice job on us, but with Holland and Abbott coming in, I’m hoping that helps the powerplay out, but we did score timely powerplay goals so I’ll take those.”
- Steve Spott said his team needs to avoid getting into ‘track meet’ type games with Chicago, saying his team isn’t the type of team to play that style effectively.
- Before main practice began around 10:30, goaltending coach Piero Greco was on the ice with Christopher Gibson doing some work. Fabrice Herzog, Zach Yuen, Carter Verhaeghe, Frederik Gauthier and Connor Brown were on the ice taking shots. It’s unlikely that any of them draw into game action unless the injury bug strikes.
LINES:
Ashton – Holland – Abbott
Leivo – McKegg – Carrick
D’Amigo – Smith – Kozun
Broll/Devane – Smithson – Ryan
Extra’s – Staubitz, Biggs, McLaren and Ross
Defence:
Marshall – Brennan
Holzer – MacWilliam
Percy – Granberg
Yeo – Knodel
