Another matchup with an opponent desperate for points saw Toronto outworked for 40 minutes before going down to a second consecutive defeat this weekend.
The Rochester Americans are not the most talented team, but they have been far better at home this season and have certainly received a boost from the new players in their lineup.
It takes a mentally strong team to rebound from the sound beatings Rochester have taken from Toronto this season, and to their credit they got off to the perfect start to this game.
The Marlies were caught running around in their own zone before Cole Schneider scored by redirecting a shot from Matt Donovan after just 70 seconds of play — a rough beginning for Alex Stalock, who was making his Marlies debut between the pipes.
The Marlies were firing some efforts from long range but time spent in Rochester’s zone was minimal as the Amerks won the lion’s share of the battles for loose pucks and were able to control possession.
Stalock had to be alert to deny Nick Baptiste at the five minute mark, but a second goal wasn’t long in coming. One of countless Marlie turnovers handed possession to the Amerks before they drove into Toronto’s zone. A booming shot hit up high on Stalock and he failed to keep a hold of the puck. Two Amerks players pounce on the juicy rebound in front, with William Carrier delivering the final touch. Not the best effort from Stalock, but his teammates had totally abandoned him on the play.
Down 2-0 with 7:11 on the clock, there was still plenty of time for the road team to get their feet under them. Connor Brown tried to halve the deficit with a drive down the left wing, but Linus Ullmark smothered the shot without a second opportunity.
Rochester should have made it 3-0 after nine minutes after yet another gift from Toronto. Tim Schaller failed to make a full connection with his shot alone in front of Stalock, who fought back after the second goal to make a pair of nice saves, especially one from Jean Dupuy, to keep Toronto in the game.
Mark Arcobello took the first penalty of the game, but upon its expiry he immediately set about making amends. A nice give and go ended with a shot from the high slot, but Ullmark clung onto Arcobello’s shot with 2:20 to play. A minute later, T.J Brennan also tried to go upstairs on Rochester’s goaltender to no avail.
Toronto drew a penalty late on to begin the second on the powerplay, but they trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes. The shot clock was telling a false tale as the Marlies were favoured 18-12 in that regard. Ullmark didn’t really pull off any tremendous stops, bar one on Arcobello.
Ullmark had just the one save to make on Colin Smith as Rochester killed the penalty with ease early in the middle frame.
The penalties began to piled up as the teams exchanged a couple in quick succession, but no real chances were forthcoming for either team during four-on-four play.
The Marlies carved out an opportunity nine minutes in, but Stuart Percy fanned on his attempt from the slot. The puck was quickly moved up the ice, and with time and space to measure his shot, Rochester’s Justin Bailey struck the iron as Toronto caught a break.
It was short lived as another defensive error saw Rochester tally for the third time. Toronto’s captain Andrew Campbell was the man at fault has he turned the puck over on the left boards to Carrier. His confidence high after scoring already, Carrier made Rinat Valiev look silly with a move around the rookie defenseman before sliding the puck past Stalock, who was guilty perhaps of going down a little too early.
It was hard to blame the goaltending, though, when Toronto were giving up possession in their own zone all too easily.
Joey Mormina and Rich Clune then dropped the gloves after Clune got a little physical with Ullmark. The Toronto man was taken down by the 6’6 defensive giant as Rochester won yet another battle.
It really should have been 4-0 as the Amerks couldn’t capitalize on a 4-on-2 break before failing to convert on yet another powerplay opportunity. The shot clock in the second period better told the story, with the Amerks favoured 17-8.
It wasn’t so much about a comeback as it was showing any sign of life for a Marlies team that appeared to be flatlining at this stage of the game.
Whatever was said by Sheldon Keefe at the intermission had its desired effect as Toronto began to take control of the game, firing the first twelve shots of the third period.
Arcobello set the tone with a wicked shot that only just missed the net before Rochester were forced to ice the puck. If any player and his linemates have been less at fault than the others of late, it’s Frederik Gauthier’s unit. Paired with Clune and Faille on this occasion, Gauthier led the way as his line pinned the Amerks in their own zone but couldn’t force a goal. The momentum put in place paid dividends four minutes in for his team, however.
Percy glided past his man and into the zone, teeing up Arcobello, and on hand was Brown to stuff the rebound by Ullmark. It was Toronto’s first goal in over 114 minutes of hockey.
Two minutes later, it was Gauthier once again with the shot, but Ullmark completely robbed him after hard work from Faille along the backboards followed by a feed from Clune.
Toronto’s penchant for taking penalties was not at all helpful to their third period pushback. Stalock was forced into fine save on the Marlies fourth penalty kill.
In fact, Stuart Percy took two penalties just four minutes apart as Toronto’s attempts to climb within a goal looked to be faltering.
Toronto desperately needed a boost and it came via a short-handed goal. Valiev’s outlet pass to Brown sent the Marlies off on an odd man rush. Choosing to shoot, Brown’s effort beat Ullmark shortside.
Stalock was coming up big when needed for his new teammates in the third period, making nine saves including one with his mask with five minutes to play.
There were chances for Toronto to score a third and tying goal. Ullmark once again stepped to the fore as he robbed Leivo with a tremendous glove save on a point blank shot after a great feed from Arcobello. On a powerplay opportunity to tie the game, Tobias Lindberg failed to get all of his one timer from the slot and Ullmark easily stopped the effort. Brett Findlay was then called for high sticking, curtailing the man advantage.
Stalock was yanked for the extra attacker for the remaining 1:40 of the game, but the Marlies failed to really test Ullmark. Former Marlie and known empty-net specialist Jerry D’Amigo sent the puck into the yawning cage, sealing a well-deserved 4-2 victory for Rochester.
Post Game Notes
– Alex Stalock would want the second goal back, but otherwise he did all he could on his Marlies debut with a 34-save performance.
– A pair of goals for Connor Brown gives him his second double of the season, taking his goals total to eight in 24 games.
– He’s not alone in making mistakes, but a pair of penalties taken by Stuart Percy mean he’s been in the box five times in the last three games.
– The third period saw a better effort, but score effects were at play as Rochester sat back a little trying to protect their lead.
– Toronto will look to avoid a weekend sweep when facing Utica back in Toronto Sunday afternoon. The Leafs have loaned Kasperi Kapanen and Brendan Leipsic to the Marlies for this afternoon’s game.
Game Highlights
Sheldon Keefe Post Game
Marlies Player Stats — Rochester 4 vs. Toronto 2
| PLAYERS | Position | G | A | +/- | SH | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell, Andrew | D | 0 | 0 | -1 | 1 | 2 |
| Brennan, T.J. | D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Faille, Eric | F | 0 | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 |
| Percy, Stuart | D | 0 | 1 | -1 | 2 | 4 |
| Leivo, Josh | RW | 0 | 0 | -1 | 2 | 0 |
| Carrick, Sam | C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Clune, Richard | LW | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 | 5 |
| Lindberg, Tobias | RW | 0 | 0 | -1 | 2 | 0 |
| Gauthier, Frederik | C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Arcobello, Mark | C | 0 | 1 | -1 | 4 | 2 |
| Brown, Connor | RW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Findlay, Brett | LW | 0 | 0 | -1 | 2 | 0 |
| Smith, Colin | C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kurtz, John | LW | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Frattin, Matt | RW | 0 | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 |
| Holl, Justin | D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Loov, Viktor | D | 0 | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 |
| Valiev, Rinat | D | 0 | 1 | -1 | 4 | 0 |
