After months and months of deliberation, and passing several preliminary release dates, yesterday the AHL finally bestowed upon us their layout of the 2010/2011 season. And with that, we can finally review the Marlies schedule with our red pens and key in those long home stands, major matchups and make-or-break points of the season.
Oh, that’s not how everybody spent last night? Then please, allow me to break down the Toronto Marlies upcoming season for you – at least how it appears on paper.
Like every team in the AHL, the Toronto Marlies will compete in a total of 80 contests, 40 at home and the remainder on the road. Without the same balance that is found in the NHL schedule, the Western conference, North division Marlies will face only six of the 15 Eastern conference teams; five from the East division and only one (Hartford) from the AHL’s Atlantic division.
The Marlies will open the season at home against divisional opponent Rochester on October 9th and will play five of the remaining seven October games on home ice. Collecting early season wins will be important for the Toronto AHL club as the following three months will offer far more road contests than home. With two gigantic road trips, 10 games in November and then another nine spanning late December and early January, the Marlies will spend nearly 2/3 (28) of their opening 45 games on the road.
Now please pull out your day-planner and put a big red circle around January 29th, 2011. This Saturday afternoon home match against the divisional rival Moose, the 50th Marlies game of the season, stands as Toronto’s tipping point. If by this weekend match the Marlies have earned themselves 20 wins on the season, Toronto will see playoff hockey once again at Ricoh coliseum. With 20 wins behind them, the Marlies can saunter at a .500 pace through their home-heavy spring schedule and be mentally and physically prepared for a deep post-season run.
20 of their final 24 games will be played on home ice, with their only travel being to nearby Hamilton, Rochester, Grand Rapids and Lake Erie. Though not completely void of hardship, with visits from the 2010 Calder-Cup winning Hershey Bears, runner-up Texas Stars and Western conference finalist Hamilton Bulldogs, the Marlies should be able to pull out an even record with ease.
April features four home dates, all against divisional rivals. If a late-season push is needed from the boys in blue (and white), a lot of ground can be made up in these final matches. The most exciting – and pivotal – of the four will likely be April 3rd against Manitoba and the season finale vs. Abbotsford.
If you’re having trouble deciding on which games to attend, here is my top-five “Can’t Miss” list:
#5 January 29th, 2011 – Manitoba Moose – 1:00pm
As Canadian rivals the Moose and the Marlies have always battled hard, but the ousting of the Marlies by the Moose during the 2009 Calder Cup playoffs have definitely left a sour taste in the mouths of players and fans alike. Mix that with the fact that Jan 29th is that crucial 20-win tipping-point game for the baby buds, moves this match onto my top-five list.
#4 February 23rd, 2011 – Hershey Bears – 7:00
The rarity of an evening match in this season’s Marlies schedule makes this a special occasion in and of itself. But much like how all eyes will be on the Leafs/Hawks match this season, so should they be with the visit from the back-to-back Calder Cup winning Hershey Bears. If you’re in the area and are in need of some mid-February puck, this contest will be worth the $20 ticket.
#3 October 23rd, 2010 – Oklahoma City Barons – 5:00pm
The newly formed OKC team will make their first appearance at the Ricoh Coliseum early in the season, but far more plot lines run through this mid-October matchup. The Marlies three-year captain, Ben Ondrus, signed with the Edmonton/Oklahoma City organization over the summer and may very-well make his very first appearance in the visitor’s dressing room on this night. Ondrus will have a lot to prove in front of the familiar crowd, and the Marlies will be determined to show that they can succeed without him.
#2 April 10th, 2010 – Abbotsford Heat – 5:00pm
The tension always runs high between these two clubs, who set season-high penalty minute records during their first two meetings of the 2009/2010 schedule. Though already removed from the playoff picture, the Marlies put up a stellar performance against the Heat during their final game last season. Guaranteed to be a competitive match, I strongly suggest all try to be in attendance for this final matchup of the upcoming season.
#1 March 6th, 2010 – Hamilton Bulldogs – 1:00pm
Want to see all the action of a Leafs/Habs match for a fraction of the cost? A meeting of their AHL affiliates never disappoints. As each other’s closest opponents, the Hamilton/Toronto games always bring out a mixture of fans. With the added benefit of being a nationally broadcast CBC game, this match should be the loudest of the season. Despite their standings, the competitive level of both teams peak during these contests and provide an excitingly high level of hockey.
