Game Review: Toronto Marlies 9 vs. Portland Pirates 2

It was all about hitting the reset button for the Toronto Marlies.

Five days after losing their third straight game for the first time this season, Toronto showed their intent by blitzing one of the better teams in the Atlantic Division.

Toronto have been slow out of the gates too often of late, allowing opponents to jump on top of them and take early leads.

That was not the case tonight, as Connor Brown tested Mike McKenna with a snapshot a minute in and Portland’s goaltender had to be alert shortly after to hold onto a blast from the blueline by Marlies debutant Taylor Doherty.

An error from Brendan Leipsic enabled an odd man rush for the Pirates, but Brett Olsen fired wide on the feed from Corban Knight.

The Marlies then went off for two goals in 43 seconds. Stuart Percy’s outlet pass from his own zone enabled a 3 on 2 break, where Brown combined with Josh Leivo, who teed up Arcobello for a one-timer from the bottom of the left circle — an exquisite passing move well finished off by Arcobello.

The second wasn’t quite so nice, but Tobias Lindberg, on a set-up from Rich Clune, absolutely ripped his one-timer through traffic and by McKenna.

From the restart, Tony Turgeon took a run at Clune, who did not engage his opponent. Despite dropping his gloves and clearly throwing punches, the Pirates forward only received a roughing minor — a curious call from the officials.

Another sweet passing play from the Marlies ensued as it appeared Lindberg had made it 3-0 on the powerplay. What looked a goal during real time was rightly waived off after video review. Lindberg said a little too much to the officials and was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, bringing an untimely end to the Marlie man advantage.

Toronto killed the minute or so of Portland’s powerplay and got back to playing their game. David Kolomatis and Leivo both tested McKenna before the Marlies made it three inside eleven minutes. On another odd-man rush, Kapanen cut back inside his man in the left circle before finding Colin Smith with a perfect pass to his right for Smith’s 17th of the season.

That spelled an early end to McKenna’s night, although he was certainly not the culprit for his team’s early deficit.

The red-hot Rocco Grimaldi, who has five goals in as many games, was then robbed by Antoine Bibau on a breakaway before Portland got themselves on the board at the 15-minute mark.

Wayne Simpson’s saucer pass across the crease from the right wing was finished off by an excellent tip by Wade Megan in front, giving Bibeau little chance.

Toronto’s netminder was called on to make two big saves before the period’s end, but the recently-inserted Sam Brittain was having to work harder at the opposite end of the ice  just to keep his team in the game. A late flurry on the powerplay somehow failed to bring about a fourth Marlie goal despite Brittain floundering on a save on T.J Brennan, with no Marlies player able to jump on the loose puck.

The opening 3:30 of the middle frame gave little indication of what was to follow.
Unable to score on the remainder of their powerplay, the Marlies had to kill a penalty of their own.

A minute later, it was 4-1 Toronto. Despite losing a faceoff in Portland’s zone, the Marlies won back possession and Leipsic had the last touch on what looked initially to be Sam Carrick’s goal. It took another review to decide whether this one stood.

Just 121 seconds later, Toronto tallied on the man advantage. A fine feed from Brown allowed Lindberg to wind up and blast home a one time shot, which is becoming something of a trademark during Lindberg’s short time with the Marlies.

5-1 quickly became 5-2 as Portland fought right back, with a bouncing shot from Shane Harper redirected in front by former Marlie Greg McKegg.

Leivo contrived to miss the net on another good opportunity, as did Lindberg before Toronto caught a break with Portland hitting the post at the midway mark of the game.

The Marlies then exploded for another three goals in a seven-minute span.

Justin Holl’s swift give and go play with Arcobello saw him rifle home past the blocker of Brittain.

Arcobello was denied on a backhand shortside attempt before Portland’s Rob Schremp batted the puck in with a high stick — a goal that was never going to stand.

After being frustrated in front of goal, Arcobello turned provider for Brown, setting up his winger for a booming one-timer to make it 6-2.

After having his earlier goal credited to Leipsic, Carrick got his name on the scoresheet by tipping home a long-range effort from Andrew Campbell on the Marlies second powerplay goal of the game.

Leading 8-2 heading into the final frame, there was no let up from the Marlies. A testament to what Sheldon Keefe has tried to instil in his group throughout the season, Toronto remained focused and could easily have hit double figures for the second time this year.

The Marlies continued to generate ample opportunities during the third period, with some credit going to the efforts of the rookie goaltender Brittain. He denied Leivo 90 seconds in and was dialled in on the follow-up effort. Kolomatis was also turned aside, while Arcobello and Leivo (yet again) couldn’t convert on a huge rebound off a Brennan shot.

Bibeau made just three saves of note as Portland were simply trying to hang on and get out of the game without incurring further damage.

The Marlie fourth line was getting more ice time as the game wore on, and Frederik Gauthier saw his booming effort from the left side ring off the iron.

Leipsic couldn’t find the net on a breakaway after an excellent pass from Carrick sent him alone on net, but the ninth goal finally arrived with five minutes left.

Arcobello and Brown were the architects before Leivo finally fired home from the slot — a shot which relieved a frustrating game in front of net for the recently-reassigned forward.

The scoreline finished 9-2 as Portland were simply unable to keep up with a thoroughly-dominant performance from Toronto.

Post Games Notes

– Toronto Marlies have now scored 9+ goals in a game four times this season. The other 29 AHL teams combined have scored 9+ goals in a game twice.

– The five goals scored in the second period is a seasonal high after scoring four times on two previous occasions.

– Four point games for Mark Arcobello and Connor Brown (both 1G/3A), with the former’s three assists all of the primary variety.

– A double strike for Tobias Lindberg takes him five goals in as many games. He could have easily had himself a hat-trick.

– Rich Clune’s assist takes him to 20 points for the season in just 36 games.

– T.J Brennan responded to his reassignment with a two-point game. He was unlucky not to find the net at least once as well. His points tally stands at 57 points in 60 games.

– Josh Leivo, who led all skaters with seven shots, will wonder how he only scored once. At least four of his shots were good chances and he fired the other two wide. A two point game nonetheless.

– Taylor Doherty didn’t look out of depth on his debut, even registering an assist on the seventh goal. He was paired with Stuart Percy in a partnership that looks set to remain in place for the rest of the weekend.

Sheldon Keefe Post Game

Marlies Player Stats — Toronto 9 vs. Portland 2