AHL Toronto Marlies

Marlies Continue Nine-Game Road Trip In Iowa On Tuesday Night

Published on January 12, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Toronto Marlies News Release


Opponents This Week:

(Jan. 13): The Iowa Chops - AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks - host the Toronto Marlies for their second and final matchup of the season on Tuesday night for a 7:05 p.m. contest. The Chops rank third in the West Division with a 20-14-2-3 record for 45 points. Iowa is 8-7-1-2 at home this season. In their last meeting the Marlies defeated Iowa 6-1 at Ricoh Coliseum on Friday January 2, 2009. Bates Battaglia (two goals, one assist) and Mark Bell (two goals) led the way for Toronto. The Marlies netted a season-high, four goals in the third period to seal the victory. Justin Pogge turned aside 28 of 29 shots fired at him. Last year the Marlies went 1-0-0-1 against Iowa (formerly the Stars affiliate). The Chops are led by Josh Green who has 24 points this season (10 goals, 14 assists). Brennan Evans has a team-high 120 penalty minutes. Defenceman Brian Salcido finished second among all AHL blueliners last season with 53 points (11 goals, 42 assists). This season Salcido has four goals and 18 assists in 38 games with Iowa. Last season the Anaheim Ducks affiliate was the Portland Pirates; however, they moved to Iowa during the offseason. The Iowa Chops name was selected as a tribute to the state's agricultural heritage. An Iowa Chop - a registered trademark of the Iowa Pork Producers Association - is a thick centre-cut chop and a favourite dish among Iowans.

(Jan. 14): The Marlies face off against the Chicago Wolves - AHL affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers - on Wednesday night at the Allstate Arena. This will be the first of two meetings between the two teams this season. The Marlies host the Wolves in their next home game on January 24 at Ricoh Coliseum. The Wolves currently rank sixth in the West Division with a 19-19-2-1 record for 41 points. Chicago is 9-8-0-1 at home this season. The Wolves have only won one game over their past ten contests. Last year the Marlies went 1-1-0-0 against Chicago. The Atlanta Thrashers first round choice, third overall, Zach Bogosian was assigned for a rehab stint with Chicago after recovering from an injury earlier in the year. The NHL rules prohibit teams from sending players Bogosian's age (18) to their minor pro affiliates except for rehab stints which limits them to 14 days. Right Winger Joe Motzko leads the Wolves in points with 38 (23 goals, 15 assists) and is also tied for third in the AHL with 23 goals. In the playoffs last season Chicago ousted Milwaukee, Rockford, Toronto and finally Wilkes- Barre/Scranton to capture their second Calder Cup Championship. Toronto pushed the 2007-08 Conference finals series to a fifth game before finally being eliminated in a 4-2 loss. Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec became the seventh goaltender in AHL history to win the Calder Cup before his 21st birthday. The others are Carey Price (2007), Gord Henry (1947), Gordie Bell (1943), and Hall of Famers Patrick Roy (1985), Billy Smith (1971) and Terry Sawchuk (1950).

(Jan. 16): The Marlies faceoff against the Houston Aeros - AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild - on Friday night at the Toyota Center. The Marlies played host to the Aeros earlier in the season on October 26, 2008, Andre Deveaux recorded a hat-trick and Tim Stapleton added two assists as the Marlies edged the Aeros 5-4. Houston forward Corey Locke and goaltender Barry Brust will both be representing Canada at the AHL All-Star Classic in Worcester, Massachusetts on January 25-26. Houston posted a record of 9-6-1-3 this season at home and has more shootout losses (seven) this season than any other club in the AHL. Former Bulldogs left winger Corey Locke leads the Aeros in points with 42 (15 goals, 27 assists) and is first (tie) in goals (15). Locke was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens in the off-season which saw defenceman Shawn Belle head to the Canadiens organization. Aeros defenceman Maxim Noreau is first (tie) amongst AHL defencemen with nine goals and seven power-play goals. The Aeros have a 3-9-0-2 record against the North Division this season. Houston's 45-29-2-4 finish (96 points) in 2007-08 was good for a 32-point increase over the previous season, a franchise-high.

MARLIES HEADLINES:

On The Road: The Marlies have started their season-high, nine-game road trip with a 1-1-1-0 in their first three games. They opened their road swing with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Milwaukee Admirals. Battaglia leads all Toronto scorer's in the three games with three points (two goals, one assist) including a shorthanded tally on Friday night in Quad City. Justin Pogge and Adam Munro have a combined 1.93 goals-against average and 0.924 save percentage during the current road trip. Pogge has started two (1-1-0) and Munro has the one overtime loss (0-1-0). Maple Leafs prospect Nikolai Kulemin made his AHL debut on Thursday night in Milwaukee. The Marlies penalty kill has only allowed one goal on 11 chances (0.901 % success rate) in the past three games.

On A Roll: Since November 19, 2008 the Marlies are 16-8-1-1 and have earned a least a point in 18 of 26 games (0.692 points percentage). Toronto is 6-3-1-0 over their past 10 games and have won eight of their past 13 games. During that 13-game stretch the Marlies have out-scored their opponents 41-28. Toronto's won four out of their past five games decided by a shootout.

Captain Benny: Ben Ondrus has scored six goals over his past nine games. On Saturday, December 13 in Syracuse the Marlies captain scored a season-high two goals in Toronto's 4-2 win. Ondrus appeared in the first 30 games this season for the Marlies and has collected nine points (seven goals, two assists) and 40 penalty minutes.

Tim Becoming a Staple: Tim Stapleton has recorded at least a point in 17 of his past 24 games (five goals, 20 assists). In that span, Stapleton has notched seven multi-point games. He's recorded five assists in his past three games. The Oak Park, Illinois native ranks first on the Marlies and fourth in the AHL with 17 power play assists. Stapleton ranks first in the AHL with seven shootout goals. In 37 games this season, Stapleton has 34 points (six goals, 28 assists) including one game-winning tally. Stapleton ranks first on the Marlies in points and assists.

Bates On The Board: Bates Battaglia has registered almost a point-per-game so far this season. In 18 games he's tallied eight goals and eight assists. Battaglia has three points (two goals, one assist) in his past three games. On Thursday night against the Milwaukee Admirals he was named the game's first star, recording one goal and the shootout winning tally in the Marlies 3-2 win. Battaglia's scored at least a point in seven of his past 10 games and has 13 points in his last 12. Special Teams:

Power Play: The Toronto Marlies power play has clicked for 22 goals in their past 25 games. Over their past five games they've scored four goals on 12 power play chances. The Marlies have registered seven, multi-power play goal games so far this season. Toronto's power play currently ranks seventh (tie) in the AHL with a 19.6% success rate. Their power play on the road ranks third overall at 22.1%. They've scored at least one power play goal in 14 of 20 road games. Tim Stapleton leads all Marlie skaters with 18 power play points. Jeremy Williams paces the club with nine power play tallies.

Home Ice Advantage: The Marlies have won their last five home games at Ricoh Coliseum. Toronto has out-scored their opponents at Ricoh Coliseum, 24-9 during their five-game home winning streak. Toronto defeated Iowa and Philadelphia by identical 6-1 scores last Friday and Saturday night. Both wins tied season-highs for their largest margins of victory.

Multi-Point Games: Tim Stapleton leads the team with nine multi-point games this season. This past week, Bates Battaglia was the lone Marlie to record a multi-point game, coming on Thursday night (one goal, one assist). Battaglia has three multi-point games over his past seven contests. The only players to record three-points or more in a game are Stefano Giliati, Andre Deveaux, Jeremy Williams, Jiri Tlusty, Bates Battaglia and Tim Stapleton.

Multi-Point Games

Stapleton 9

Newbury 6

Williams 5

Battaglia 4

Bell 3

Foster 3

Kronwall 3

Tlusty 3

Boyce 3

Giliati 2

Taylor 2

Aubin 2

Sifers 1

Deveaux 1

Petiot 1

Devereaux 1

Boumedienne 1

Ondrus 1

Schneider 1

Making Their Debut: The Marlies have dressed 11 new players through their first 39 games this season. Nikolai Kulemin made his AHL debut on Thursday night in Milwaukee becoming the 11th new player to dress for the club. Defencemen Richard Petiot, Andy Schneider, Joey Ryan, Juha Uotila and Josef Boumedienne; forwards Andre Deveaux, Tim Stapleton and Mark Bell have all seen action in at least one game for the Marlies. Newcomer, Tim Stapleton scored the Marlies first goal of the 2008-09 season in the third period and also scored in the shootout on Friday night against the Binghamton Senators.

Reading Report: The Toronto Maple Leafs ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals currently rank seventh in the American Division with an 11-25-0-2 record for 24 points. Tyler Doig leads the Royals with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists). Doig has recorded 12 points in his past eight games (five goals, seven assists). Dan Rudisuela has seven goals and nine assists in 38 games. Maple Leafs prospect, Michael Ouzas who is currently playing for the Royals, has a record of 12-9-1 with a 2.82 goals-against average and 0.908 save percentage, including two shutouts.

Unveiling the Banner: The Marlies opened up the 2008-09 season by unveiling their North Division championship banner from the year before. The Marlies won their division with a 50-21-3-6 record for 109 points, nine more points then next closest Syracuse (100 points). Toronto has 15 players that helped them to their title berth on the opening day roster.

MARLIES QUICK HITS:

- Tim Stapleton leads the team with 33 points and Darryl Boyce is the Marlies active goal scoring leader with nine tallies.

- The Marlies have scored four power play goals in their past 12 chances.

- Justin Pogge has a 2-1-0 record over his past three games and a 1.30 goals-against average and 0.947 save percentage during that span.

- The Marlies own a 3-3-1-0 record against the West Division this season.

- Anton Stralman scored his first career AHL goal on Friday night in Toronto's 3-2 overtime loss in Quad City.

- On Thursday night in Milwaukee, Maple Leafs prospect Nikolai Kulemin made his AHL debut. Kulemin appeared in three games for the Marlies before being recalled by the Maple Leafs on Sunday.

- The Marlies have won four of their past five games that have been decided in a shootout.

- Darryl Boyce ranks first on the team with 82 penalty minutes and Phil Oreskovic and Stefano Giliati share the team lead with a plus-nine rating.

- The Marlies are 15-0-1-0 when taking a lead into the third period this season and are 14-4-1-0 when they record the game's first goal. When Toronto scores three or more goals, they own a record of 20-2-0-1.

- The Marlies currently rank fourth in the North Division with a 20-15-1-3 record for 44 points through 39 games.

Reebok/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

For the week ending January 12, 2009, the Toronto Marlies nominated forward Bates Battaglia for consideration as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week. In Toronto's 3-2 shootout victory over the Milwaukee Admirals on Thursday night, the Chicago, Illinois native registered a goal, an assist and the game-winning shootout goal. He was also a plus-two in the game and was named the game's first star of the night. On Friday night, Battaglia scored the game's first goal (shorthanded) and had a plus-one rating. In 18 games this season, he's collected 16 points (eight goals, eight assists).

IN THE BOOTH:

The Marlies and Rogers Cable TV announced their 29 game broadcast schedule, which will comprise of Friday, Saturday and Sunday home dates. The television play-by-play duties will be handled by the voice of the Marlies, John Bartlett, who returns for his fourth season with the organization. Former NHLer and Toronto Maple Leaf, Bob McGill, will join Bartlett in the booth for all 29 games.

The Marlies announced on Friday, October 10 in conjunction with the FAN 590, that all 80 regular season games will be live on the FAN 590. Marlies play-by-play announcer John Bartlett, along with colour commentator, Bob McGill will provide the live action for Marlies fans this season. Fans can also tune into all of the action on the Marlies official website, torontomarlies.com

MARLIES ON THE WEB

Follow the Marlies all season long for the latest, most up-to-date information on their official web site, torontomarlies.com

MARLIES UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Saturday, January 24 vs. Chicago Wolves - Medieval Times Night

Friday, January 30 vs. Hamilton Bulldogs - Pay Day Friday's presented by Ricoh

Saturday, January 31 vs. Rockford IceHogs - Doug Gilmour Bobblehead Day

MARLIES RECAP:

Thursday, January 8 at Milwaukee

Marlies Snap Admirals Home Streak in Shootout

Marlies Goals: Tlusty (7), Battaglia (7), Battaglia (SOW)

Admirals Goals: Thuresson (7), Spaling (9)

Three Stars: 1. Battaglia (TOR), 2. Dekanich (MIL), 3. Spaling (MIL)

Recap: The Marlies ended the Milwaukee Admirals home winning streak on Thursday night, winning 3-2 at the Bradley Center in a shootout. After the Admirals made it 1-0 five minutes into the second period, Jiri Tlusty tied the game with his seventh of the season. Before the end of the second frame, Bates Battaglia gave the Marlies a 2-1 lead with his seventh on the year. Battaglia recorded his fourth multi-point game of the season, collecting an assist on Tlusty's goal. Milwaukee pulled their goalie late in the third period and Nick Spaling tied the game at 2-2 with only 55 seconds remaining in regulation. Tim Stapleton and Battaglia each scored in the shootout and Justin Pogge made four saves for the victory.

Friday, January 9 at Quad City

Marlies Earn Point in OT Loss

Marlies Goals: Battaglia (8), Stralman (1)

Flames Goal: Greentree (17), Van der Gulik (10), Lundmark (11)

Three Stars: 1. Lundmark (QC), 2. Greentree (QC), 3. Keetley (QC)

Recap: The Marlies scored the game's first two goals, but couldn't hold on as they fell 3-2 in overtime in Quad City on Friday night. Bates Battaglia got the Marlies on the board 9:42 into the first period while the Marlies were on the penalty kill. Jiri Tlusty collected an assist on the goal. Anton Stralman registered his first career AHL goal on a Marlies power play. Darryl Boyce took the initial shot, and Stralman picked up the rebound and fired it home. Staffan Kronwall ninth power play assist on the play. The Flames scored a goal both the second and third periods to tie the game at 2-2. While Quad City was on a power play in overtime, Jamie Lundmark beat Adam Munro to give the Flames the 3-2 victory. Munro made 30 saves in the loss.

Saturday, January 10 at Rockford

Marlies Shutout By IceHogs, 1-0

Marlies Goals: None

IceHogs Goal: Brophey (9)

Three Stars: 1. Crawford (RFD), 2. Brophey (RFD), 3. Skille (RFD)

Recap: The Marlies couldn't solve Cory Crawford on Saturday night, dropping their second consecutive game, 1-0. Evan Brophey opened the scoring with a wrist shot that beat Marlies starting goalie Justin Pogge to give Rockford the lead just 5:20 into the game. The Marlies had five power play opportunities but couldn't connect on them; however, they successfully killed off six IceHogs power plays. Nikolai Kulemin had a great chance late in the game but was turned aside by Crawford. Pogge made 21 saves in the loss.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2009


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