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The Toronto Marlies took four from a possible six points this past week.

The road trip may have ended on a sour note, but Toronto went 5-1 during their travels, and also surpassed 30 victories and 150 goals for the season.

The shootout victory in Utica means the Marlies remain undefeated in the four times the skills competition has been required.

A franchise record was also set: Seven consecutive victories eclipsed the previous best of six, which had been achieved on three previous occasions.

Specials teams again weren’t at their best this week. The powerplay converted at just 11% on 18 opportunities. The IceCaps seemingly have Toronto’s number in this department, and that ended up proving the difference in the second game. The IceCaps were 2-4 with the man advantage while blanking the Marlies in five attempts. It was also the nature of some of the penalties that will concern Sheldon Keefe. A reckless slashing penalty (just one example) taken 180 feet from your own goal is not something the coaching staff will be pleased about.

Toronto Marlies 3 vs. Utica Comets 2

The road trip continued with a visit to “The Aud” in Utica.

Despite Utica’s lack of form entering the game, playing the Comets in their own building is never an easy task, as Toronto found out.

Utica were slightly the better team in the opening period but fell behind to a goal from Nikita Soshnikov. The home team responded to tie the game heading into the second period.

The Marlies were a much-improved outfit in the middle frame, deserved owners of a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes, with Ryan Rupert notching the Toronto goal.

Antoine Bibeau was back between the pipes and he came up big in the third period. Utica fired 16 shots in his direction, only able to solve the goaltender with a powerplay goal seven minutes from the end of regulation.

Both teams shared a pair of good chances in overtime, but both goaltenders were excellent in seeing the game to a shootout. Bibeau stopped all three Utica shooters while Soshnikov scored to secure the extra point.

Toronto Marlies 6 vs. St. John’s IceCaps 3

A pair of games in St. John’s was on tap to finish off the January road trip, and it began well for the Marlies on Saturday evening.

A crazy six-goal period had both coaches tearing their hair out, no doubt. Toronto scored inside the opening minute and doubled their lead at the 11-minute mark. They then proceeded to cough up that lead before restoring it again with a pair of powerplay goals.

Brendan Leipsic recorded three points in the opening period, scoring the first and fourth goals while providing an assist on the second. The other Marlie scorers were Rupert and Soshnikov in a period where, believe it or not, there could easily have been more goals.

In a much more disciplined middle frame, Toronto extended their lead to 5-2 as Leipsic recorded a hat-trick.

The game was pretty much killed off as the Marlies scored inside four minutes of the third period, with the IceCaps only able to draw one back before the end of the 60 minutes.

St. John’s IceCaps 6 vs. Toronto Marlies 4

Sunday’s matinee game was notable for a Marlies performance lacking in discipline and replete with error.

A scoreless first period — despite good opportunities for both teams — was followed by four goals in the middle frame. Toronto twice held the lead, but allowed St. John’s to tie on both powerplay opportunities.

It went from bad to worse to the Marlies as they allowed a shorthanded marker two minutes into the third period. Shortly after, they were down 4-2 as Sparks was beaten by a long-range effort from Morgan Ellis.

Jeremy Morin gave the Marlies hope, drawing them within one, but that flame was extinguished as quickly as it rose, as a giveaway from Rinat Valiev gifted Lucas Lessio the easiest goal he’ll score this season.

Sheldon Keefe pulled Sparks early, and T.J Brennan scored made things interesting with two minutes remaining. A tying goal for Toronto, in fairness, would not have been justified, and to St. john’s credit they rode out the storm before scoring a empty netter to seal the win.


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Garret Sparks made his return from injury but was far from his best. He made some fantastic saves on Sunday, but would also want a couple of goals back. Rustiness is to be expected after a long layoff.

Antoine Bibeau was excellent during Wednesday’s victory in Utica. A 35-save performance that was as good as he’s played this season. He’s won seven of his last eight starts, putting up a 0.926 save percentage during that span.

Nikita Soshnikov potted three goals to put himself into a tie for the team lead in goal scoring. The shootout winner was his second this season. A less disciplined effort from him on Sunday, but one I don’t expect we’ll see again soon.

Brendan Leipsic’s hat-trick was his second for the Marlies. His last was in a crucial game against Adirondack last season, whom they were fighting with for a playoff berth at the time. Helping himself to two assists, Leipsic now has 28 points this season.

T.J Brennan just keeps being T.J Brennan when he’s playing for the Toronto Marlies.
Four points this week takes him above William Nylander as the team’s leading points scorer. He’s also tied for first place in the AHL and is on pace to surpass offensive numbers he set when he was awarded the Eddie Shore Trophy.

Mark Arcobello had gone pointless for two games but responded with a pair of assists to take him to 30 points for the season.

Ryan Rupert proved himself to be a valuable player last season. He’s received fewer opportunities so far in 2015-16, but given the chance he really stepped up in producing three points this week. Forming a good partnership with Leipsic and Frattin, the centreman has four points in his last five games.

Brett Findlay continues to give himself a shot at staying with the Marlies when bodies start returning to the roster. Another two points this weekend, including a goal, keeps him at PPG through his last four outings.

Kasperi Kapanen showed some of the confidence he found while winning a Gold medal with Finland at the World Juniors. Two assists for him and both were fantastic pieces of play, showcasing his speed and precision of pass.

– The Toronto Marlies continue to be hit by injuries and absentees.

Justin Holl and Stuart Percy were the latest to go down, on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Scott Harrington and Sam Carrick did not feature, while Josh Leivo and Rich Clune are still with the Maple Leafs.

William Nylander was reactivated to the Marlies roster, which is positive news, but indications are we should not be expect an immediate return to action.

– With the Marlies back on home ice, Connor Brown should make his return at some point this week, perhaps playing two of three beginning on Wednesday.

– There were two PTO signings made on Monday, with both players joining from Orlando Solar Bears. The first is 27-year-old defenseman Eric Baier. The Solar Bears captain has played for five different teams in the AHL, accumulating 44 games. This season for Orlando, the Rhode Island native has 22 points in 37 games.

It’s of no surprise that Toronto also signed a centreman, with so many injuries that that position right now. Rylan Schwartz has only been with Orlando since December 27 of 2015, but has already racked up seven goals and 14 points in 11 games. Curiously, Schwartz hadn’t signed for a team before that point, but he’s spent time with the Worcester Sharks in previous years. In 123 AHL games, the 26 year old has 11 goals and 37 points.

Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, January 20 — Syracuse at Toronto, 7:00 p.m. EST
Saturday, January 23 — Utica at Toronto, 3:00 p.m. EST
Sunday, January 24 — Utica at Toronto, 3:00 p.m. EST


Marlies Player Stats — January 19

PlayerPosGPGAPTS+/-PIMPPSHGSOGSH%
T.J. BrennanD40152338935609316.1
William NylanderC2714203476308616.3
Mark ArcobelloC27121830514518713.8
Josh Leivo (X)RW351119301010509511.6
Brendan LeipsicLW391117281224409811.2
Jeremy Morin (total)LW33111526828218912.4
Jeremy Morin (TOR)LW522414101513.3
Richard Panik (X)RW3391625534006613.6
Zach HymanRW3971421172001897.9
Nikita SoshnikovLW3514620138128516.5
Matt FrattinRW397111844120779.1
Sam CarrickC335111687800647.8
Andrew CampbellD3887152622005016
Richard Clune (X)LW295101512102122718.5
Casey BaileyRW30410140800458.9
Stuart PercyD3341014217003810.5
Kasperi KapanenRW20571242202520
Rinat ValievD353912232001339.1
Frederik GauthierC31381198002910.3
Ryan RupertC226410126102623.1
Justin HollD30369191300446.8
Viktor LoovD3808822200370
Brett FindlayLW171671200185.6
Connor BrownRW80440200220
Byron Froese (X)C4303-10101323.1
Scott HarringtonD1712341400205
Frank Corrado (X)D7033320070
James MartinD10033-1600100
Eric FailleF21121000333.3
Jack RodewaldRW7011140070
Justin JohnsonRW80110360050

Marlies Goalie Stats — January 19

GoaliesGPMinsWLSOLSOGAGAASVSSV%
Ryan Massa159:56:00100011160.941
Rob Madore4240:00:00400151.25990.952
Jonathan Bernier4239:43:00300351.25910.948
Garret Sparks12690:38:008302252.173310.93
Ray Emery6360:25:0032001831420.888
Antoine Bibeau181069:29:0013400543.034660.896

AHL Eastern Conference Standings — January 19

TeamGPWLOTLSOLPTSPCTGFGAP10PIM
Toronto Marlies4131820640.781581007-3-0-0568
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins3828901570.75129837-3-0-0472
Albany Devils3723950510.689107817-1-2-0590
Portland Pirates37231310470.635119948-2-0-0517
Hershey Bears41211325490.5981261265-4-1-0608
Utica Comets39181533420.5381121093-5-1-1575
St. John's IceCaps39171453420.5381171303-6-0-1606
Syracuse Crunch40181561430.5371031115-3-2-0691
Providence Bruins40171571420.5251121176-2-2-0456
Bridgeport Sound Tigers41191921410.51021133-7-0-0692
Hartford Wolf Pack40191920400.5961147-3-0-0438
Rochester Americans40181921390.487951274-5-1-0493
Lehigh Valley Phantoms42182121390.4641141153-5-1-1485
Springfield Falcons39152013340.436961243-5-0-2483
Binghamton Senators38152030330.4341091236-3-1-0770