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AHL Toronto Marlies

Marlies Play Three Critical Games This Week

March 30, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Toronto Marlies News Release


Opponents This Week:

(April 1): The Marlies travel to Hamilton on Thursday night to take on the Bulldogs, AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 p.m. at Copps Coliseum. The game will mark the 11th of 12 meetings between the two clubs. The Marlies snapped a three-game losing skid against the Bulldogs in their most recent matchup on March 20 with a 4-3 shootout win. Joey MacDonald made 42 saves, including all four in the shootout to help lead the Marlies to victory. Tim Brent had a goal and an assist in the win. The Marlies hold an all-time record of 31-23-4 against their QEW rivals. Hamilton currently leads the North Division and the Western Conference with a 49-16-3-6 record for 107 points. Their 49th victory of the season on Saturday against the Heat tied a franchise record. Hamilton's 107 points are currently eight more than any other team in the conference and 24 more than any team in their division. The Bulldogs enter the week on a three-game winning streak and have gone 7-2-0-1 over their past 10 games. The Bulldogs have clinched the North Division title for the season. It is the third division title in franchise history for the Bulldogs. Forwards Brock Trotter and David Desharnais are currently tied for seventh in the league for leading scorers. Trotter has 34 goals and 39 assists for 73 points; while Desharnais has posted 24 goals and 49 assists for 73 points. Both players are only four points shy of the Bulldogs franchise record for most points in a season. Defenceman P.K. Subban set a new franchise record for power play goals by a Bulldogs defenceman in a single season. Subban's 11th tally on the man-advantage on Saturday passed the previous mark of 10 set by teammate Yannick Weber last season. Subban has recorded 18 goals and 35 assists this season, to go along with his plus-43 rating which ranks tied for first in the American Hockey League. The goaltending tandem of Cedrick Desjardins and Curtis Sanford has been solid for Hamilton this season, resulting in a league best 2.23 goals-against average. Desjardins' 1.93 goals- against average paces the entire AHL; while Sanford's mark of 2.13 ranks third.

(April 2 & 3): The Marlies play back-to-back games against the Manitoba Moose, AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum. The Marlies sit five points behind the Moose for the final playoff spot in the division. The last time these two clubs met was on February 20 with the Marlies shutting out Manitoba 2-0 at Ricoh Coliseum. James Reimer made 31 saves for the shutout and Viktor Stalberg's first period goal held up to be the winner. Manitoba currently ranks fourth in the North Division with a 36-31-5-1 record for 78 points through 73 games. The Marlies met the Moose in the first round of the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs, where they fell to the Moose in six games. Toronto led the series 2-1 but then lost three straight. The Marlies hold an all-time regular season record of 14-19-2-2 against the Moose. Forward Marco Rosa paces the Moose in scoring this season with 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists) and also has a team-high seven power play markers. Right-Winger Sergei Shirokov ranks second in points with 41 (21 goals, 20 assists). Shirokov was selected in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Canucks. He played the 2008-09 season in the KHL for CSKA Moscow where he totaled 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 56 games. Goaltender Cory Schneider has posted a record of 31-21-1 with a 2.65 goals-against average and 0.913 save percentage. Schneider ranks second in wins in the AHL and third in minutes played (3188). The Moose netminder paces the league with five shootout victories.

MARLIES HEADLINES:

What Happened Last Week: The Marlies went 2-2-0-0 in their four games last week. The Marlies used four power play goals to down the Senators 5-2 in Binghamton on Wednesday. Kyle Calder led the way with a goal and two assists. On Friday night in Syracuse, the Marlies couldn't beat goalie Kevin Lalande, as the Crunch snapped Toronto's five-game winning streak with a 4-0 decision. The Rochester Americans downed the Marlies 7-3 on Saturday afternoon in Toronto, despite the Marlies power play scoring on their first three opportunities. On Sunday in Rochester, the Marlies erased a two-goal deficit to earn a 4-3 shootout victory. Toronto is currently in fifth place in the North Division with a 31-32-6-5 record for 73 points, sitting five points out of the final playoff spot in the division.

Another Brick in the Wall: James Reimer: Reimer has guided the Marlies to at least a point in 14 of his past 18 starts (11-4-2). Over his past 18 starts, he's recorded a 0.932 save percentage and 2.11 goals-against average. Reimer made 24 saves, including five in the shootout in the Marlies 4-3 win on Sunday afternoon in Rochester. He recorded his first career AHL shutout on February 20, making 31 saves and earning first star honours in the club's 2-0 win over Manitoba. In 21 games this season, Reimer has a record of 12-6-1 with a 2.27 goals-against average and 0.926 save percentage. He ranks second in the AHL with a 0.846 shootout save percentage.

Joey MacDonald: MacDonald made 37 saves on Wednesday night in the club's 5-2 win in Binghamton. He's won three of his past four starts (3-1-0) while posting a 2.54 goals-against average and a 0.925 save percentage. On March 12 in Chicago, he made 40 saves for his second shutout of the season. MacDonald has only allowed 12 goals over his past five games.

Home Sweet Home: The Marlies have played their best hockey on home ice this season, holding a 20-11-3-2 advantage at Ricoh Coliseum. Despite their loss on Saturday against Rochester, the Marlies have won three of their past four games and have earned at least a point in 13 of their last 19 home contests. The Marlies two home games over the March 20-21 weekend drew a total of 13,954 fans at Ricoh Coliseum. Toronto has four more home dates on their 2009-10 regular season schedule, all against division opponents.

Hammer Time: Ryan Hamilton has scored a goal in each of his past four home games. He had his four-game goal scoring streak snapped last Wednesday in Binghamton but has goals in each of his last two games. Hamilton scored the tying and game-winning goals in the Marlies 2-1 overtime victory on March 21. The Oshawa, Ontario native has posted a point in six of his last seven games (six goals, one assist). In 41 games this season, Hamilton has tallied 21 points (15 goals, six assists) to go along with 37 penalty minutes. He ranks tied for first on the club in goals. We're Going Streaking: Kyle Calder posted a three point night (one goal, two assists) on Wednesday evening in Toronto's 5-2 victory. Calder notched a goal and two assists, all on the power play, to earn first star honours. He has posted points in five of his past eight games for the Marlies. Calder has tallied 11 points (five goals, six assists) over his past 10 games. Alex Foster has recorded back-to-back two assist games. Ryan Hamilton has posted a point in six of his last seven games (six goals, one assist). Tim Brent has recorded a point in four of his past six contests (two goals, four assists). Josh Engel has registered a point in three of his previous four games (four assists).

Keeping It Close: The Marlies have a very impressive record this season when the game is decided by one goal, marking a record of 21-2-6-5. 21 of their 31 victories this season have come in one-goal contests. Greg Scott's shootout game-winning goal on Sunday was his second of the season, which ranks first on the club in that category. The Marlies own a 20-0-3-2 record when taking the lead into the third period. Toronto holds a 20-8-6 record when scoring the game's opening goal and are 25-7-6 when they score three or more goals in a game.

Multi-Point Games: The Marlies had six players post multi-point games last week. Kyle Calder's three point night led the way to the Marlies 5-2 victory on Wednesday. Tim Brent, Greg Scott, Alex Foster, Juraj Mikus and Josh Engel each registered two point games as well. Christian Hanson paces the club with nine multi-point games this season. Multi-Point Games
1. Hanson 9
2. Stalberg 8
3. Brent 7
4. Deveaux 6
Calder 6

Reading Report: The Toronto Maple Leafs ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals currently rank second in the East Division with a 35-28-1-5 record for 76 points. The Royals have dropped their past two games, after winning the previous four. Todd Perry was re-assigned to the Royals last Tuesday. Perry has skated in four games so far with the club. Goaltender Andrew Engelage has compiled a record of 7-3-0 in 11 games with the Royals. Stefano Giliati has notched 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) in 43 games with Reading, ranking fourth on the club in points. The Royals are back in action on Wednesday when they take on Elmira at 7:05 p.m.

MARLIES QUICK HITS:

- Juraj Mikus has posted points in three of his past four games (one goal, three assists).

- Alex Foster has posted four assists over his past two games.

- Andre Deveaux currently leads the team in goals (15; tie), points (38), power play goals (six) and penalty minutes (207).

- The Marlies scored a season-high four power play goals on Wednesday night in their 5-2 win at Binghamton. Kyle Calder's three points (one goal, two assists) all came on the power play.

- Defenceman Brendan Mikkelson has skated in the last two games for the Anaheim Ducks, posting a plus-two rating during that span. Last night versus Dallas, he recorded over 16 minutes of ice time. In 48 games with the Marlies this season, Mikkelson has posted seven goals and 15 assists.

- Brennan Evans' 190 penalty minutes currently ranks second in the AHL for defencemen and 11th overall.

Reebok/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

For the week ending March 28, 2010, the Toronto Marlies nominated forward Alex Foster for consideration as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week. Foster closed out the week with two assists in each of his past two games. On Saturday against the Amerks, he notched two assists, both coming on the power play. The following day in Rochester, Foster set up two goals, including the game-tying score in the Marlies 4-3 shootout victory. Foster was named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 22. 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, April 10 vs. Hamilton Bulldogs - Bring Your Dog to the Game Day

Sunday, April 11 vs. Abbotsford Heat - Fan Appreciation Day

MARLIES RECAP:

Wednesday, March 24 at Binghamton Senators

Marlies Extend Streak with 5-2 Win

Marlies Goals: Scott (10), Ondrus (6), Brent (10), Calder (12), Rogers (5)

Senators Goals: Keller (31), Tifu (2)

Three Stars: 1. Calder (TOR), 2. Brent (TOR), 3. Scott (TOR)

Recap: The Marlies capitalized on a five minute penalty, scoring twice, as Toronto won their fifth straight game on Wednesday night, 5-2 against Binghamton. Greg Scott opened the scoring on the power play with his 10th tally of the season. After Binghamton went ahead 2-1 mid-way through the second period, Jonathon Cheechoo was given a five minute boarding penalty. Ben Ondrus and Tim Brent both scored while on the five minute man-advantage. Kyle Calder notched his third point of the night with an early third period goal. Kyle Rogers closed out the game with an empty netter. Joey MacDonald made 37 saves in the victory. The Marlies power play clicked a season-high four times.

Friday, March 26 at Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Shutout Marlies with 4-0 Win

Marlies Goals: None

Crunch Goals: Moore 2 (19), McGrath (11), Kolarik (24)

Three Stars: 1. Lalande (SYR), 2. Moore (SYR), 3. Kolarik (SYR)

Recap: The Marlies had their five game winning streak snapped on Friday night by the Crunch in Syracuse. Despite the Marlies out-shooting the Crunch 17-7 after 20 minutes, it was Syracuse that led 1-0 at the first intermission. Greg Moore scored his first of two goals on the night on the power play at the 9:48 mark of the opening frame. Evan McGrath made it 2-0 late in the second period with his 11th of the season. Syracuse added two third period tallies to close out the game. Tim Brent and Alex Foster each recorded a team-high five shots on goal. James Reimer made 27 saves on 30 shots in the loss.

Saturday, March 27 vs. Rochester Americans

Amerks Drop Marlies in First Game of Home-and-Home

Marlies Goals: Hodgman (7), Mikus (5), Hamilton (14)

Americans Goals: York 2 (13), Oreskovich (6), Brine (12), Wilson 2 (14), Johnson (24)

Three Stars: 1. Wilson (RCH), 2. York (RCH), 3. Johnson (RCH)

Recap: The Americans scored six goals through the first two periods and didn't look back as they dropped the Marlies 7-3 on Saturday afternoon. The Marlies got on the board first when Justin Hodgman scored on a power play three minutes into the game. Rochester responded with three goals to close out the period to give them a 3-1 advantage after 20 minutes. After Clay Wilson made it 4-1, Juraj Mikus' fifth goal of the season on the power play cut into the lead. The Americans responded three minutes later to increase their lead. Ryan Hamilton made it 5-3 with his 14th tally of the season on a power play. Toronto scored on their first three power play opportunities. The Americans tacked on two more goals to seal their 7-3 win.

Sunday, March 28 at Rochester Americans

Marlies Erase Two-Goal Deficit, Win in Shootout

Marlies Goals: Hamilton (15), Calder (13), Deveaux (15), Scott (SOW)

Americans Goals: Taylor (15), Sweetland (5), Taffe (26)

Three Stars: 1. Foster (TOR), 2. Repik (RCH), 3. Deveaux (TOR)

Recap: The Marlies fell behind by two goals, but fought back to pick up the 4-3 shootout win over the Americans on Sunday afternoon in Rochester. The Amerks jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead, but Ryan Hamilton's goal in the second period cut the lead in half. With the score 3-1, Kyle Calder notched his 13th goal of the season late in the middle frame. Andre Deveaux knotted the game at 3-3 on a Marlies power play at the 11:03 mark of the third period. Toronto out-shot the Americans 19-6 in the final period. After a scoreless overtime, Greg Scott was the lone player to score in the shootout to give the Marlies the win. James Reimer made 24 saves, including five in the shootout for his 12th win of the season.

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