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AHL Toronto Marlies

Marlies Take Three-Game Winning Streak into the Steel City

December 29, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Toronto Marlies News Release


Opponents This Week: (Dec. 30): The Marlies play their sixth of 12 meetings against their provincial-rival, the Hamilton Bulldogs - AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens - on Tuesday night at Copps Coliseum. The Marlies are 2-2-0-1 against the Bulldogs this season, losing their most recent matchup on December 14, 2-1 at Ricoh Coliseum. Ben Ondrus scored the lone goal for Toronto in the game. The Marlies last visit to Copps Coliseum resulted in a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory. Toronto fought back from two, three-goal deficits and Darryl Boyce scored the game-winning goal on a penalty shot. The Bulldogs currently rank third in the North Division with a 19-11-2-0 record for 40 points this season. They own an 8-6-1-0 record at Copps Coliseum. Their 115 goals for rank first in the Western Conference. Bulldogs starting goalie Marc Denis ranks fifth in the AHL with 13 wins. Denis returned to the Bulldogs line-up on Saturday after a short call-up stint with the Montreal Canadiens, and lost 5-4 to Syracuse. Kyle Chipchura was chosen in the first round (18th overall) by Montreal in the 2004 Entry Draft. He played alongside Justin Pogge as the captain of the Gold Medal 2006 Canadian World Junior team. Olivier Latendresse is currently on a four-game assist streak. Yanick Lehoux currently ranks first on the Bulldogs with 31 points. Greg Stewart's 116 penalty minutes is fifth best in the AHL this season. The Marlies hold a 24-14-0-3 all-time advantage over their QEW-rival.

(Jan. 2): The Iowa Chops - AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks - come to Toronto for their only visit of the season on Friday night for a 7:00 p.m. contest. The Chops rank fifth in the West Division with a 17-11-1-2 record for 37 points. Iowa is 9-5-0-1 on the road this season.

Last year the Marlies went 1-0-0-1 against Iowa, losing their most recent matchup in a shootout, 5-4 at Ricoh Coliseum on March 1, 2008. The Chops are led by Drew Miller who has 25 points this season (14 goals, 11 assists). Brennan Evans has a team-high 95 penalty minutes. Defenceman Brian Salcido finished second among all AHL blueliners last season with 53 points (11 goals, 42 assists. This season Salcido has two goals and 14 assists in 30 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. 3): The Marlies host the Philadelphia Phantoms - AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers - on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum. The first 5,000 fans at the game will receive an Anton Stralman bobblehead. The Phantoms own a record of 19-13-0-1, ranking fifth in the East Division. Philadelphia is 7-2-0-1 over their past 10 games. The Phantoms game on Saturday will kick-off their longest road trip of the season, a nine-day, five-game road swing.

The Phantoms power play has registered only one goal over their past six games (3.7%). Defenceman Ryan Parent, who has missed the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery, was activated from injured reserve by the Flyers and was assigned to the Phantoms on Friday. Danny Syvret ranks tied for first in the AHL with 15 power play assists. Rookie Matt Clackson is fourth in the league with 122 penalty minutes. Jared Ross ranks first on his team and second in the AHL with three shorthanded goals. Goaltender Scott Munroe is tied for second in the league with 14 wins on the season, including three shutouts. The Marlies own a 3-2-1 all-time record against Philadelphia. The two clubs will meet again on Friday, March 27 in Philadelphia.

MARLIES HEADLINES:

What A Weekend: The Marlies won all three games this past weekend, using three different goalies in the process. Adam Munro, James Reimer and Justin Pogge each played one game for Toronto in three games. They only allowed four goals against all weekend, with three goals coming on the power play. Combined the trio went 3-0-0 with a 1.29 goals-against average and 0.955 save percentage. Staffan Kronwall was named the game's first star on both Friday and Sunday night. Kronwall, Alex Foster and Bates Battaglia each tallied three points apiece this weekend.

Reim Time: Maple Leafs prospect, James Reimer made his AHL debut on Saturday night and kicked out 25 saves, including four in the shootout to earn his first career AHL victory. Reimer was named the game's first star of the night. Prior to his recall, he played in 11 games with the Reading Royals (ECHL), registering a record of 5-3-1 and a 0.905 save percentage. Reimer was selected in the fourth round, 99th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Jiri Powering It Up: Jiri Tlusty has recorded at least a point in four of his past seven games (seven assists). He notched the game-winning shootout goal on Saturday night against the Manitoba Moose and now has all three of Toronto's shootout winners. On Wednesday, December 17 against the Monsters, Tlusty registered a season-high three assists. In his past 18 games, Tlusty has registered 15 points (five goals, 10 assists). In 26 games this season, the Slany, CZE native has collected 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) with 12 of those points coming on the man-advantage. He ranks third on the Marlies in points and assists. Tlusty has also appeared in nine games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Tim Becoming a Staple: Tim Stapleton has recorded at least a point in 14 of his past 20 games (five goals, 15 assists). In that span, Stapleton has notched five multi-point games. The Oak Park, Illinois native ranks first on the Marlies and first in the AHL (tie) with 15 power play assists. Stapleton ranks first in the AHL with six shootout goals. In 33 games this season, Stapleton has 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) including one game-winning tally. Stapleton ranks first on the Marlies in points and assists.

Bates On The Board: In 12 games, Bates Battaglia has tallied four goals and six assists, including two assists on Sunday versus Manitoba. On Wednesday, December 17, he had a season-high three points (two goals, one assist) and was named the game's first star. Battaglia's scored a point in four of his past five games and has eight points in his last seven games.

Special Teams: Power Play: The Toronto Marlies power play has clicked for 18 goals in their past 19 games. The Marlies have registered six, multi-power play goal games so far this season. Toronto's power play currently ranks sixth (tie) in the AHL with a 19.3% success rate. Their power play on the road ranks first overall at 24.1%. They've scored at least one power play goal in 13 of 17 road games. Tim Stapleton leads all Marlie skaters with 16 power play points. Jeremy Williams paces the club with nine power play tallies.

Munny In The Bank: Adam Munro picked up his fifth win of the season on Friday night against the Lake Erie Monsters. He turned aside 31 shots in the Marlies 3-1 win and was named the game's second star. He currently has a record of 5-4-0 and has a 2.55 goals-against average and 0.912 save percentage. Munro shutout the Binghamton Senators on Friday, November 21 for his first shutout in a Marlies uniform, making 25 saves in the victory. He is the first Marlies goalie to earn a shutout on the road since Justin Pogge on October 27, 2006 in Grand Rapids.

Max Is Back: The Marlies recalled Max Taylor on December 17 from Reading. On Sunday versus Manitoba he registered his first multi-point game of the season (one goal, one assist). In his second game back with the Marlies, he scored his first goal of the season. In seven games with Toronto, he has two goals and a plus-five rating. The Ottawa, Ont. native recorded five goals in just four games while he was with the Reading Royals. On Friday, December 12, Taylor registered a hat trick in the Royals 3-2 win over Elmira. Multi-Point Games: Tim Stapleton leads the team with seven multi-point games this season. Last week, Jiri Tlusty notched two multi-point games. Kris Newbury has tallied five, three-point games so far this season. The only other players to record three-point nights are Andre Deveaux, Jeremy Williams, Jiri Tlusty, Bates Battaglia and Tim Stapleton.

Multi-Point Games

Stapleton 7

Newbury 6

Williams 5

Kronwall 3

Tlusty 3

Boyce 3

Battaglia 2

Aubin 2

Bell 2

Foster 2

Sifers 1

Deveaux 1

Giliati 1

Taylor 1

Petiot 1

Devereaux 1

Boumedienne 1

Ondrus 1

Schneider 1

Making Their Debut: The Marlies have dressed 10 new players through their first 33 games this season. James Reimer made his AHL debut on Saturday night, becoming the 10th new player to dress for the club. Joey Ryan made his AHL debut on Saturday, December 13 against the Syracuse Crunch. Defencemen Richard Petiot, Andy Schneider, 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.

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.

All-Time Leader: Kris Newbury has potted 23 points over his past 18 games for the Marlies. During that stretch, he's scored six goals and added 17 assists. Newbury currently ranks second on the team in points (23) and second in assists (17). 13 of his 17 assists have come on the man-advantage, ranking fourth (tie) in the AHL. Newbury is the Marlies alltime leader in points (162), assists (106), penalty minutes (429) and shorthanded goals (tie) with five.

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.

Reading Report: The Toronto Maple Leafs ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals currently rank seventh in the American Division with a 9-21-0-2 record for 20 points. Tyler Doig leads the Royals with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists). Doig has recorded six points in his past three games (two goals, four assists). Dan Rudisuela has seven goals and eight assists in 32 games. Maple Leafs prospect, Michael Ouzas who is currently playing for the Royals, has a record of 11-7-1 with a 2.84 goals-against average and 0.903 save percentage, including two shutouts.

MARLIES QUICK HITS:

- Tim Stapleton leads the team with 29 points and Ben Ondrus, Alex Foster and Darryl Boyce are the Marlies active goal scoring leaders with seven tallies apiece.

- Phil Oreskovic scored his first goal of the season, and second of his AHL career on Saturday night in the Marlies 3-2 shootout win over the Manitoba Moose.

- Todd Perry scored his first career AHL goal on Friday night in the Marlies 3-1 win over the Lake Erie Monsters.

- Three of the Marlies past eight games have been decided by a shootout. Overall the Marlies have won three of their past four games that have been decided in a shootout.

- Darryl Boyce ranks first on the team with 76 penalty minutes and Phil Oreskovic has the team lead with a pluseight rating.

- The Marlies are 11-0-0-0 when taking a lead into the third period this season and are 13-3-0-0 when they record the game's first goal. When Toronto scores three or more goals, the own a record of 16-2-0-1.

- Justin Pogge earned his first career NHL win in his first start last Monday night with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pogge made 19 saves in the Leafs 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. The last Leaf goaltender to start in his NHL debut and win: Damian Rhodes on March 22, 1991 at Detroit (3-1 W)

- Andre Deveaux recorded his first career NHL point (assist) in the Maple Leafs, 8-2 loss on Tuesday, December 23 against the Dallas Stars.

- The Marlies currently rank fourth in the North Division with a 17-13-0-3 record for 37 points through 33 games.

- The Marlies won the North Division last season with a record of 50-21-3-6 for 109 points. The 109 points set a Maple Leafs affiliate record.

Reebok/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

For the week ending December 28, 2008, the Toronto Marlies nominated defenceman Staffan Kronwall for consideration as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week. In three games this past weekend, the Jarfalla, Sweden native registered two goals and one assist, including the game-winning goal on Friday night against the Lake Erie Monsters. He was named the game's first star on both Friday and Sunday night. The 6'4, 210-pound rearguard registered a goal and an assist last night in Toronto's 4-1 win over the Manitoba Moose and had a plus-two rating.

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: Friday, January 2 vs. Iowa Chops - Pay Day Friday's presented by Ricoh

Saturday, January 3 vs. Philadelphia Phantoms - Anton Stralman Bobblehead Day

MARLIES RECAP:

Friday, December 26 at Lake Erie Marlies Tackle Monsters, 3-1

Marlies Goals: Rogers (2), Kronwall (5), Perry (1)

Monsters Goal: Cumiskey (4)

Three Stars: 1. Kronwall (TOR), 2. Munro (TOR), 3. Cumiskey (LEM)

Recap: The Marlies came off their holiday break defeating the Lake Erie Monsters, 3-1 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Toronto struck first in the opening period, when Mark Bell came down the wing and centered a pass that Kyle Rogers fired home. The Monsters responded while shorthanded in the second period to tie the game at 1-1. Staffan Kronwall scored the game-winning goal at the 6:29 mark of the third period with a wrist shot that beat Tyler Weiman on the short side. Todd Perry scored his first career AHL goal mid-way through the third period to seal the Marlies victory. Adam Munro picked up his fifth win, turning aside 31 shots.

Saturday, December 27 vs. Manitoba Marlies Shoot Down Moose, 3-2

Marlies Goals: Boyce (7), Oreskovic (1)

Moose Goals: Sawada 2 (2)

Three Stars:

1. Reimer (TOR),

2. Sawada (MTB),

3. Oreskovic (TOR)

Recap: James Reimer made his AHL debut for the Marlies and recorded his first career AHL victory, making 22 saves as Toronto downed the Moose 3-2. Darryl Boyce opened the scoring with his seventh of the season on the power play. After the Moose tied the game in the second period, Phil Oreskovic took advantage of a Manitoba turnover and fired home his first goal of the season from the point. Raymond Sawada scored his second goal of the night tying the game at 2-2 mid-way through the third period. After a scoreless overtime, Jiri Tlusty netted the game-winning shootout goal and Reimer made four saves to give the Marlies a 3-2 win on home ice.

Sunday, December 28 vs. Manitoba Marlies Top Moose, 4-1

Marlies Goals: Aubin (4), Foster (7), Kronwall (6), Taylor (2)

Moose Goal: Ouellet (8)

Three Stars:

1. Kronwall (TOR),

2. Battaglia (TOR),

3. Taylor (TOR)

Recap: The Marlies extended their winning streak to three games with their impressive 4-1 victory over the Moose on Sunday afternoon. Brent Aubin opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game with his fourth of the season. After the Moose tied the game at 1-1, Alex Foster received a pass from Mark Bell and fired in his seventh of the season. Staffan Kronwall and Max Taylor each scored in the third period, sealing the victory for the Marlies. Kronwall, Taylor and Bates Battaglia each had two-point nights for Toronto. Justin Pogge made his first start after his stint with the Maple Leafs, making 28 saves in the win.

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