Marlies Take 1-0 Series Lead
Just when you thought that ten games was enough times to see two hockey teams face each other, the Toronto Marlies and Rochester Americans have set themselves up for another few attempts at it all. The crazy part though? This time, it means something. Something more. You see, the first ten were just bragging rights. These three to five games? They’ll decide who’s season continues and who’s fades into obscurity.
Tonight, the Marlies had an opportunity to make a huge first statement, one that would also clear away the sour endings of the regular season. The crowd was pumped, eager to see playoff hockey in Toronto for the first time in recent memory. The players knew what they had to do, and opened the series with a 4-3 victory.
The first period started strong for the Marlies, and really, they consistently peppered their opponents. The shot count after 20 was 12-6, and this would be fantastic for them if David Leggio syndrome wasn’t quick to kick in. The Rochester netminder rose to the occasion again and again and again, even when the Marlies headed to the powerplay four minutes into the game. No other penalties were given to either team, but what did happen was a goal. Phil Varone opened the scoring in the series, tipping a point shot past Ben Scrivens and leaving the Marlies trailing with 5 minutes left in the first. It stayed that way going into the intermission.
The second period was more of the same. Toronto absolutely littered the Rochester net with shots, but Leggio hit the 15 save mark. And then the 20. Just for good measure, 25 came next. Penalties came and went. Rochester forward Corey Tropp took his second penalty of the game, but Toronto couldn’t capitalized. Mark Fraser went to the box, but the penalty kill stayed solid. Yet pucks kept getting stopped. Enter Nicolas Deschamps, who dropped a pass to Jerry D’Amigo, who then converted it into the equalizer for the blue and white. The period ended at 1-1, with a shot count of 30-13.
The third period started with a bang. Just a minute in, on the period’s first shot, Matt Frattin turned a Joe Colborne feed into a one timer go ahead goal. Colborne headed to the box to the box, but once he came out, the Marlies had their own man advantage to work with seconds later. Unlike their previous attempts, the Marlies would find themselves successful, courtesy of a Mike Zigomanis wrist shot. Of course, knowing this season series, a two goal lead wasn’t going to last long. Marcus Foligno brought the game within one on a Rochester powerplay, and T.J Brennan was quick to tie it up just four minutes later. Just when it looked like things would get worse thanks to a Mark Fraser interference call, the Marlies turned a positive into a negative. Fraser grabbed the puck coming out of the box, rushed towards the net, and fed Jerry D’Amigo for his second goal of the game. The Amerks pulled Leggio in the last seconds of the game, but the score stayed at 4-3.
Other Notes
Ben Scrivens looked decent. statistically far from amazing, but made a few good saves, and ultimately got the job done. Not a massive thumbs up to him, but you certainly keep him in for game two.
Jake Gardiner’s skating ability is on such another world from the rest of his peers, that you would think he had activated some form of video game cheat code. He was a help to the powerplay, earning an assist on the Zigomanis goal. You have to think the Marlies are hoping this is a sign of things to come throughout these playoffs.
Matt Frattin was in just the right place at the right time for his goal, and that’s something he’s very good at, showing it many times tonight with a team leading six shots.
Joe Colborne had two assists, a change of pace for the slumping centre. If this is a sign of October Joe coming back, I doubt you’ll hear many complaints.
The powerplay went one for five, and looked a lot better with Gardiner quarterbacking it.
The penalty kill was four for five. Foligno’s goal wasn’t a typical powerplay goal, and perhaps preventable, but they looked solid in a way that they usually do nonetheless.
The crowd was the loudest I’ve ever seen at Ricoh Coliseum, even with 1600 empty seats. The combination of the noise and the flags that the crowd recieved were a nice touch.
Game 2 is on Saturday at 3PM. Like the crowd tonight, you should come support the blue and white as they try to widen the series gap to two. As an incentive, the team is giving away Rally Towels to those who show up. A whiteout in Ricoh would look insane, so it would be nice to get a crowd that could pull that off. Tickets are nearly sold out, so I’d pick them up quick if I were you.
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Adam says:
As someone who's been dying for playoff action for years now..
Pent_House says:
Slipping up buddy, very disappointing.
Nathalie says:
Great interview, thanks for doing it Jeffler. He seems to be...
Sara says:
I love how honest he is. He is a great guy.
Troy Oakley says:
great Write Up
