It’s a third consecutive 3-in-3 weekend for the Toronto Marlies in what’s been a jam packed March schedule.
A slightly easier task awaits the Marlies, however, with a pair of home games to begin the weekend before they hit the road to face Lake Erie in Sunday’s matinee game.
Having won just one of their last six games, Toronto needs to get back to a winning formula with the season fast winding down. This weekend, the Marlies should claim a playoff berth that has been within their grasp for most of March, with the magic number now down to just three.
Other possible milestones this weekend include the 250-goal mark, a 25th road win and 45 overall victories.
Friday March 18 — Lehigh Valley at Toronto, 7:00 pm EST
Home ice has been kind to the Toronto Marlies, having won eleven of their last 14 at Ricoh Coliseum.
This will be the second and final meeting between the two teams, with the last encounter a 3-1 Toronto victory on the road in October.
It’s do or die time for Lehigh, who need to go on a long winning streak to have a chance of sneaking into the post-season. They’ve struggled to attain results of late, taking just one point during a four-game road trip and four of their last 18 overall. Scoring has been their biggest issue in recent defeats, but Toronto will need to be wary after losing to similarly-desperate teams.
The Phantoms will lean heavily on leading goal scorers Taylor Leier, Petr Straka and rookie Danick Martel to turn things around offensively. Veteran Chris Connor is the team’s leading points producer after a remarkable stretch that saw him record 25 points in 18 games through January and February, but he’s been quiet in March.
Former Toronto Maple Leaf Tim Brent has 20 points in 39 outings for Lehigh.
Anthony Stolarz (19-15-6 record) is expected to take the start between the pipes.
Saturday, March 19 — Providence at Toronto 3:00 pm EST
Saturday’s matinee game at the Ricoh offers the opportunity for some swift revenge against the Providence Bruins.
The two teams did battle last weekend with the Marlies on top 2-0 after the opening 30 minutes. Providence came roaring back to tie the game up early in the third period before deservedly claiming the extra point in overtime.
The Bruins’ push for a playoff berth has been spurred on by their impressive home form, while they continue to struggle away from Providence. Consecutive wins on the road still leaves their away record three games under .500 this season.
Keeping the Bruins’ top offensive players quiet will be key for Toronto as Seth Griffith, Alexander Khokhlachev, Austin Czarnik and Frank Vatrano continue to produce seemingly at will.
Good discipline will be a must as the Bruins continue to own a dominant powerplay, although it’s less of a force on the road this season, as is their penalty kill.
After impressing last weekend, it’s feasible that Zane McIntyre will receive the start in net for Providence. He made several big saves to keep Toronto’s lead down to two before the come back.
Sunday, March 20 — Toronto at Lake Erie 3:00 pm EST
Toronto has seen far less of Lake Erie due to the league realignment, and this will be just the third time these former divisional rivals have met this season. The points have been shared with a pair of one goal victories.
The Monsters strength is on the defensive side of the game. Owning the third best goals against record in the Western Conference, Lake Erie also boast the third-ranked penalty kill despite giving up 261 opportunities for opponents.
Despite losing two of their better offensive players in leading scorer Michael Chaput and Oliver Bjorkstrand, John Ramage and Justin Faulk have returned to bolster the blue line.
The Monsters look a lock at this stage to make the post season having won 33 of 62 games. Strong home form has helped to cement their position, as they’re unbeaten in regulation through their last nine outings (7-0-0-2).
Scoring by committee is Lake Erie’s strength offensively, although they will be a little more reliant on the like of T.J. Tynan, Daniel Zaar, Josh Anderson and Alex Broadhurst with the aforementioned absentees.
Anton Forsberg and rookie Joonas Korpisalo are currently holding the fort between the pipes with Brad Thiessen recently sent down to the ECHL. Forsberg is 17-9-4 this season while Korpisalo took the win in his last start after dropping the four previous encounters.
Player News:
– With Connor Brown the latest emergency recall, Toronto have just 13 healthy forwards assuming Mark Arcobello has recovered from illness.
– Alex Stalock is still looking for his first win as a Marlie after losing his two starts since the trade.
– James Martin has returned from Orlando to provide defensive cover.
– Matt Frattin and Brendan Leipsic are both riding four-game point streaks entering the weekend.
– T. J Brennan is two points shy of recording 60 for the second time in his AHL career.
