Turning Penalty Kills into power plays since 2011

Author: Jeff Veillette

Marlies Take Over First Place

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By on Apr 8th, 2012

Well, it’s certainly been a fun 38 games, but all good things must come to an end. The team played hard throughout the season, occasionally disappointing but more often exciting the fans, but that all came to an end today. As the buzzer hit zero against the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Toronto Marlies are now about to head Abbotsford to close out the season against the Heat. As such, hockey is done at Ricoh Coliseum until Octo…

Oh, right. The team is in the playoffs by a solid margin, and they’ll be back in town in less than two weeks. I’m sorry, I’m from Toronto. This post-season hockey thing is still a bit hard to grasp. That said – the regular season is done, and when everybody returns to Ricoh later this month, a fresh slate will be cast upon everyone. The standings won’t matter anymore – the 76 game marathon has been replaced by a 4 to 7 game sprint. The atmosphere will be of a different breed. The microscope from the eyes paying attention will be ever more focused. In short, everything changes. In the meantime, today’s game was the focus, and they did exactly what they wanted to, winning 3-1.

The first period started in a way that surprised the crowd – a Bulldogs goal. This one went to Brian Willsie at the midway point in the period. With a goal in place, the game became as chippy as it tends to be when these two teams play – except in a way that saw a pair of game misconducts handed out. It looked like just another fight when Kelsey Wilson dropped the gloves with Zack Fitzgerald, but before the Bulldogs defenceman could get to the bench, he was already getting into it with Colton Orr. As a result, both Fitzgerald and Orr were tossed. Shortly after, the Marlies put their first dent in the stat sheet, courtesy of a Nicolas Deschamps goal to tie things up at one. As well, Mark Fraser dropped the mitts with Alex Henry before all was said and done.

The second period saw nothing in the goal department, but tons of physical play and opportunities came for both sides. Phil DiSimone was awarded a penalty shot, but he was no match for Ben Scrivens, who made the save to keep the game tied. Joe Colborne dropped the gloves in response to a knee by Gabriel Dumont, though it wasn’t actually counted as a fighting major due to Dumonts submissiveness.

The third period, often the best for the Marlies, did not disappoint. Ryan Hamilton scored his 25th goal of the year, which included Jake Gardiner’s second point of the season, an assist. The Marlies, while outshot for the rest of the game, held on and even added Greg Scott’s 21st of the season on an empty net goal to win the game and take the first place spot in the Western Conference.

Other Notes

Ben Scrivens looked like he never left. 26 saves on 27 shots, including a penalty shot attempt. A stellar game for the starter.

Jake Gardiner looked a little out of place at times, but we’ll chalk that up to chemistry. An assist in his first game down in months is nothing to scoff at, considering it’s his second with the team period this year.

Matt Frattin will probably play one or both of the games against Abbotsford, but was off tonight.

The special teams weren’t really needed – most penalties saw both teams heading to the box. That said, 1 for 1 on the powerplay and 1 for 1 on the penalty kill is exactly what you want during a game like this.

The attendance was a lower than usual 4800. With it being Easter, and people gearing up for the playoffs, I’m not surprised that much. The Marlies are now averaging 5479 a game for their attendance, and will likely stay anywhere between 12th and 14th for the remainder of the year.

The next game sees the Marlies face the Abbotsford Heat, in Abbotsford, on Friday at 10PM.

Marlies Rally To Beat Griffins In OT

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By on Apr 7th, 2012

Going into today’s game, the Marlies were able to look at the standings with a ton of excitement. Now that the worry of making the playoffs is long gone, the next step was to focus on where exactly they’ll line up in the Western Conference standings. This is a team guaranteed to reach no lower than 3rd, with the North Division title locked up, but they’re now in a territory that nobody expected. With just four more points, Toronto could leapfrog the Oklahoma City Barons for first in the conference and second in the AHL. The Norfolk Admirals, who have clearly lowered the difficulty settings, are now untouchable in the standings as a result of their 24 game (and counting!) win streak, but second place would be far from anything to scoff at. Today, the Marlies had an opportunity to bring that even closer, facing the Grand Rapids Griffins for the third game in a row. And they didn’t disappoint, ending the season series with an overtime victory.

The first period started off just as the Marlies wanted it to – with heavy possessional control. Toronto continuously peppered Thomas McColloum throughout the frame, taking 15 shots. The one that mattered was Jerry D’Amigo’s midway through the period, as he scored his 15th of the season on a shot from the hash marks.  The blue and white had the period’s lone powerplay shortly after, but couldn’t convert.

The second period didn’t fare as well. The tables turned on the Marlies, with Grand Rapids taking 15 shots on Jussi Rynnas, and ultimately being more successful in that regard. Doug Janik led the way, scoring the tying goal just thirty seconds in. Five minutes later, Fabian Brunnstrom, a former Marlies forward himself, gave the Griffins a 2-1 lead that they would keep through the period.

The third period featured a lot of effort by the two teams, both being equally opportunistic. Ryan Hamilton was perhaps the best forward on the ice, but he wasn’t able to convert. With five minutes to go, though, Marcel Mueller tied things up, adding a celebration as big as the goal. The Marlies carried the 2-2 scores into overtime.

Overtime was solved quickly, in a way that left the crowd happy. Phil Dupuis was the hero, striking just fourty seconds into the extra frame.

Other Notes

Jussi Rynnas made 3 saves, and played another relatively consistent game. He seems calmer between the pipes, which has helped him out a lot. Another fantastic start for the Finnish netminder.

Nazem Kadri was a scratch today, as was Mike Zigomanis. Both have minor injuries. Kadri is a rib or back injury, Zigomanis a hyperextended elbow. One can’t help but think that they both could’ve played, but it was probably wise that he didn’t.

Carter Ashton returned to the lineup today, after fulfilling his emergency call up with the Maple Leafs. There wasn’t much to be seen on his part, though. Barely noticeable on the ice, but considering the fact it was his first game back, that isn’t a big deal.

The special teams were Toronto typical – a heavily armoured penalty kill, and a finger-gun powered powerplay.

The attendance continues its upward trend. Today’s announced total of 5868 brings their average to 5599, leaving the Marlies at 12th in the league. One can hope this momentum can carry itself into the playoffs. I remain slightly pessimistic in this regard, but I’d like nothing more but to be proven wrong.

The next game, which is the last home game of the regular season, is tomorrow afternoon against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Can the Marlies continue their push to #1? Find out at 3PM, using your choice of LeafsTV, AM640, or coming by Ricoh Coliseum and seeing for yourself in person.

Marlies Defeat Griffins 4-2

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By on Apr 6th, 2012

While the Toronto Marlies had their division lead locked in on Tuesday night, that by no means is an excuse for mailing in the final five games of the year. Teams still need momentum come playoff time, and the Marlies could still end up anywhere between first and third in the conference. Getting the right opponent, after all, is important for any playoff run. Right now, though, the Marlies have a current opponent to focus on, one that could become a playoff opponent if they push themselves, in the Grand Rapids Griffins. Yet another game against the division rival, but looking at this in a positive note, the second last that they’ll likely have against them this season. One question was left to be asked – could Toronto take the same momentum from late in last their last matchup and repeat it?

The first period gave a very early indication that this wasn’t going to be the case. Just fourty seconds into the game, Chris Minard scored the game’s opening goal, beating Jussi Rynnas. Thankfully for the blue and white, indications can sometimes be wrong, and the team rebounded well. Nazem Kadri responded less than four minutes later with his 18th of the year, which was a fantastic drag and snipe effort.  At the half way point in the period, Ryan Hamilton changed that tie game into one where the Marlies had a lead, taking advantage of Brendan Smith being in the penalty box to score his 24th goal of the season. The next shift saw a fight, David Broll’s first of his professional career, though it would be hard to say he won it. The period ended with an unsuccessful Marlies powerplay.

The second period saw the opposite result of the opening frame, with Philippe Dupuis scoring his 13th less than a minute in. Tomas Tatar brought the game back within one five minutes later, but Grand Rapids was unable to bring it in closer. Jerry D’Amigo had an opportunity to widen the gap to 4-2 with a penalty shot, but hit the post.

The third and final period was all Grand Rapids, who heavily outshot the Marlies, 11-5. Though, with that said, the Marlies fought through it, and ended up coming out of the period in better shape. Nicolas Deschamps made the game 4-2 at the seven minute mark, and the score stood still until the final buzzer. There was some doubt as the Marlies, who got penalty happy in the final minutes, were shorthanded as much as 6-on-3 with the Griffin’s net empty, but the team persevered.

Other Notes

Jussi Rynnas made 32 saves on 34 shots. An impressive showing for him, making some big saves when necessary.

Nazem Kadri now has goals in his past 5 games, and points in his last 6. If there’s a time to heat up in the season, this is certainly it.

Marcel Mueller lead the team in assists, with 3. He was also a +2.

Joe Colborne was a team worst -2.

Nicolas Deschamps was the first star of the game, with a goal, two assists, two penalty minutes, and five shots.

Josh Leivo made his Marlies debut tonight, with Mike Zigomanis taking the night off. He was held pointless, and shotless, and was a -1. For those curious, Leivo is wearing #32.

The Marlies play their final two home games of the season on Saturday and Sunday. Tomorrow’s game is a rematch against Grand Rapids, and starts at 3PM.

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