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While they took five of the last six available points entering the break, the All Star Game probably came at the right time for the Toronto Marlies.

They’ve been playing some sloppy hockey of late, which is likely a combination of tiredness due to a hectic schedule and an over-reliance on — or perhaps a cockiness in — their offensive abilities, which have often dug them out of holes.

Special team were a real issue this week, as evidenced by surrendering two shorthanded goals. The ten shorthanded goals the Marlies have allowed this season is a league worst.

The penalty kill may have remained rock solid against the Griffins, but the powerplay failed to click.

The reverse was then true in the Binghamton game, as the penalty kill gave up two goals on six opportunities while the powerplay went 20%.

Toronto still remains firmly on the top of the AHL standings. Their challengers for the top spot may now come from the West as the Ontario Reign and Rockford IceHogs have surpassed Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins in points percentage.

Toronto Marlies 4 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins 0

A double header in Grand Rapids began with an 11 a.m. school day game last Wednesday.
It was the Griffins who held sway for the vast majority of this game, but Garret Sparks was a brick wall for the Marlies.

Toronto’s goaltender made 39 saves — 18 of those in the third period — as he weathered the home team’s surge almost singlehandedly at times. Grand Rapids could consider themselves unfortunate to strike iron a couple of times, but you could argue Sparks earned the luck.

Toronto’s best spell in the opening period saw them jump out to a two-goal lead in the span of 95 seconds. Mark Arcobello and Matt Frattin provided the goals before a strike from Connor Brown made it 3-0 six minutes into the second period. An empty netter from Frattin sealed the 4-0 win in the third period, but these two points were attributable to the brilliance of Sparks.

Toronto Marlies 4 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins 2

Friday’s rematch saw Grand Rapids finally break the goose egg against Toronto, but a late comeback from the Marlies garnered them a somewhat-undeserved victory on the balance of play.

The Griffins opened their account with a shorthanded goal from Andy Miele in an opening 20 wherein they outshot Toronto 16-7. In a more even middle frame, T.J Brennan tied the game up on a beautiful pass from the returning William Nylander.

The Griffins regained the lead six minutes into the third period but coughed it up again ten minutes later. Justin Holl drove to the net and slid the puck home after a patient spell of puck possession from Toronto.

With under two minutes remaining, Zach Hyman put home a rebound for the game winner before Leipsic secured the win with an empty netter. Once again, though, Toronto was indebted to stellar goaltending — this time via Antoine Bibeau, who made 38 saves and had no chance on the two Grand Rapids goals.

Binghamton Senators 6 vs. Toronto Marlies 5 (OT)

A return to home ice on Saturday afternoon proved to be a torrid affair for a Marlies team that contrived to throw away the lead but still grabbed a point despite trailing twice in the third period.

Binghamton started well before Toronto took the lead through the “on loan” Josh Leivo. In the first of many mental letdowns, the Marlies allowed the visitors to tie the game up in the space of 85 seconds.

Leivo’s second goal inside a minute of the second period was followed by a powerplay marker from Arcobello with just under five to play.

Binghamton responded through a powerplay goal of their own 34 seconds later. A second goal on the man advantage 56 seconds into the third period drew the visitors level before they took the lead five minutes later with a shorthanded tally.

Toronto responded promptly with a shorthanded goal of their own courtesy of Zach Hyman.

Binghamton thought they had won the game on a goal from Colin Greening at 16:22, but Connor Brown replied 20 seconds later, sending the game to overtime.

Brennan came closest to claiming the extra point for Toronto, but his effort rang off the post.

Fitting that the referees had the final say in this curiously-officiated game. Valiev was clearly hauled down but no whistle came, allowing Tobias Lindberg to break away all alone on Sparks and score the 6-5 OT winner.

Upcoming Games
Thursday, February 4 — Toronto at Manitoba, 8:00 p.m. EST
Saturday, February 6 — Toronto at Manitoba, 3:00 p.m. EST


Player News

– Yet another stellar week for Mark Arcobello offensively. Two goals and three assists extended his points streak to seven games. He could well challenge for the scoring title if he remains in the AHL past the trade deadline.

T.J Brennan continues to lead the scoring race with five points this week, extending his streak to eight games. January was an incredible month for Brennan as he racked up six goals and twelve assists.

Connor Brown looks as good as new. Scratch that — he looks better than before the injury, and there’s probably more left in the tank. A four-point week for Brown, who has rediscovered his goal scoring touch from last season after going dry in his first eight games of the season pre-injury.

Josh Leivo was loaned back to the Marlies and played just once. What an impact, though, with four points in a losing effort against Binghamton. Leivo enjoyed his time in Syracuse in the All-Star event, netting two of the North Divisions’ three goals during the main competition on the second day.

Justin Holl made his return from injury as a game-time replacement for Stuart Percy on Wednesday. Holl has shown himself to have some offensive ability and recorded another three points this past week. His goal was something you might not have expected to be in his toolkit, but he’s proven to be the best find of training camp so far.

– It was a mixed week for Garret Sparks. Outstanding in the shutout posted on Wednesday, Sparks was average back in Toronto and would want at least one of those goals back versus the B-Sens. Antoine Bibeau’s statistics have been skewed by the infamous 9-8 game and his poor form after sitting cold with the Leafs. Just one outing this week, but a fine performance, more fitting of what we’ve seen this month. January statistics for Bibeau: 2.28 GAA and a .931 save percentage.

Stuart Percy, Justin Holl and William Nylander all made their return from injury. William Nylander took part in the AHL All-Star game and enjoyed the occasion as well as the extra ice time despite not registering a point in the Challenge event on Monday.

Kasperi Kapanen failed to make an appearance through an undisclosed ailment, as did James MartinSam Carrick is still out, and with that being the case it was a little strange to see Rylan Schwartz reassigned to Orlando. Eric Faille was reassigned before being recalled Saturday and is currently on the Marlies roster.


Toronto Marlies Player Stats — February 2

PlayerPosGPGAPTS+/-PIMPPSHGSOGSH%
T.J. BrennanD4618294720356010716.8
Mark ArcobelloC3318244215167110916.5
William NylanderC2814213566308815.9
Josh LeivoRW3613213412105010013
Brendan LeipsicLW4514183213284111512.2
Jeremy Morin (total)LW391117287322110110.9
Jeremy Morin (TOR)LW112460810277.4
Zach HymanRW451016262420021029.8
Richard Panik (X)RW3391625534006613.6
Nikita SoshnikovLW41158231810229715.5
Matt FrattinRW4591322541208910.1
Casey BaileyRW364131731600547.4
Andrew CampbellD4488163144005514.5
Sam CarrickC335111687800647.8
Rinat ValievD4131316272201378.1
Kasperi KapanenRW23691552303020
Richard CluneLW295101512102122718.5
Stuart PercyD3741115119003910.3
Frederik GauthierC363101312800319.7
Ryan RupertC2866121214103020
Justin HollD334812221300508
Connor BrownRW12461064003511.4
Brett FindlayLW2319106200273.7
Viktor LoovD44191083600581.7
Byron FroeseC4303-10101323.1
Scott HarringtonD1712341400205
Frank CorradoD7033320070
James MartinD12033-1600110
Eric FailleF41121000616.7
David KolomatisD210140001100
Rylan SchwartzC2101-1000425
Eric BaierD1011000030
Jack RodewaldRW7011140070

Toronto Marlies Goalie Stats — February 2

GoaliesGPMinsWLSOLSOGAGAASVSSV%
Ryan Massa159:56:00100011160.941
Rob Madore4240:00:00400151.25990.952
Jonathan Bernier4239:43:00300351.25910.948
Garret Sparks15873:49:0010303332.274240.928
Antoine Bibeau211250:51:0016400612.935650.903
Ray Emery6360:25:0032001831420.888

AHL Eastern Conference Standings — February 2

TeamGPWLOTLSOLPTSPCTGFGAL10PIM
Toronto Marlies4736830750.7981871158-1-1-0644
WBS Penguins44291311600.6821441024-5-1-0554
Albany Devils43241270550.641191002-4-4-0665
Hershey Bears46241336570.621471396-1-2-1659
Portland Pirates43261610530.6161321137-3-0-0574
Providence Bruins44201581490.5571331267-0-3-0509
Bridgeport Sound Tigers45231921490.5441141174-6-0-0747
Utica Comets43201733460.5351231254-5-0-1628
Hartford Wolf Pack45232020480.5331111239-1-0-0469
Syracuse Crunch45191781470.5221191344-3-3-0756
St. John's IceCaps45191763470.5221291483-6-1-0683
Lehigh Valley Phantoms46222121470.5111351295-5-0-0573
Rochester Americans45212121450.51121444-6-0-0543
Springfield Falcons44172223390.4431091433-4-1-2542
Binghamton Senators43172330370.431251435-5-0-0861