AHL Toronto Marlies

Marlies welcome Griffins, Bears

Published on October 10, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Toronto Marlies News Release


THE OPPONENTS:

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

The Grand Rapids Griffins - AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings -make their first of four visits to Toronto this season as the Marlies play their penultimate Friday night home game of the campaign on Friday, October 13th. The first meeting between the clubs this season also marks the first time the teams have met since Game 5 of the 2005-06 North Division semifinal series. Griffins' captain Matt Ellis scored his second goal of the game at 20:11 of overtime on April 28th as Grand Rapids eliminated Toronto in five games. After falling 3-1 in the first-ever meeting between the clubs last November 20th in Toronto, the Marlies won the next three contests between the clubs and finished the season-series with a record of 3-2-1-0 versus the Griffins last season. Grand Rapids comes into the game with a record of 1-0-1-0 on the young season. They opened the year with a 5-4 overtime setback last Friday evening in San Antonio before defeating Houston 3-1 at the Toyota Center on Saturday. Toronto went 1-1 last weekend in defeating Syracuse on Friday and falling to Manitoba on Saturday. On Ricoh Coliseum ice, the Marlies are 1-1-0-0 this season, 1-1-0-0 versus North Division opponents, and 0-0-0 versus Grand Rapids. Leading the Griffins in scoring through 2 games are: (C) Brendan Brooks (2g-1a=3pts), (C) Krystofer Kolanos (1g-2a=3pts). Stefan Liv has the team's lone victory in goal after recording 33 saves in last Saturday's game against the Aeros. Notables: The Griffins play their home-opener on Saturday evening against Omaha. Former Marlie John Pohl led the team in scoring versus Grand Rapids last season with eight points (four goals, four assists) and appeared in all six games between the clubs. Grand Rapids' Tomas Kopecky led the Griffins in scoring with seven points (two goals, five assists) and also appeared in all six games. The Marlies will play Grand Rapids eight times this season. The teams will meet in Michigan for the first time on October 27th.

HERSHEY BEARS

The Marlies battle the defending Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears - AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals - in the first of two meetings between the clubs on Sunday afternoon in Toronto. The teams split last season's series with both clubs winning on home-ice. The Marlies won 4-3 in a shootout on October 29th at Ricoh before falling 4-1 in Chocolatetown on March 1st. Kris Newbury had the lone goal for the Marlies in front of a sellout crowd of 10,639 at Giant Center. Brad Leeb had the shootout-winning goal in addition to one goal in regulation in the Marlies win over the Bears earlier in the season. Hershey played only one game on opening weekend and emerged as 7-4 winners at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Former Sarnia Sting forward Joey Tenute was the game's first star with two goals on the evening. On Ricoh Coliseum ice, the Marlies are 0-0-0-0 versus East Division opponents, and 0-0-0 versus Hershey. Leading the Bears in scoring through 1 game is: (D) Lawrence Nycholat (0g-3a=3pts). Frederic Cassivi has the team's lone victory in goal after recording 33 saves in last Saturday's game against the Penguins. Notables: Tenute played 258 games in a four year Ontario Hockey League career with Barrie and Sarnia. The Hamilton native registered 271 points (95 goals, 176 assists) including a 112 point campaign with Sarnia in 2002-03. He made his NHL debut by appearing in one game with Washington last season. Brad Leeb, Andy Wozniewski and Jay Harrison shared the team lead with two points versus the Bears last season. Leeb was the lone player to appear in both games. Hershey's Boyd Kane had two goals and an assist and appeared in both games. The team's will conclude the season-series on Saturday, December 16th in Pennsylvania.

CCM/VECTOR AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE
For the week ending October 8th, 2006, the Toronto Marlies have nominated goaltender Jean-Francois Racine for consideration as the CCM/Vector AHL Player of the Week. Racine earned his first shutout as a Marlie in helping the team defeat the Syracuse Crunch by a 6-0 score last Friday evening. Racine turned aside 20 Crunch shots and is now the all-time leader in franchise victories with 20. This week's award was ultimately won by Iowa's Junior Lessard.

MARLIES ON THE WEB Follow the Marlies all season long on their official web site, torontomarlies.com

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Friday, October 6
Toronto Marlies defeat Syracuse Crunch 6-0
Marlies Goals: Westrum (GWG, 1a), Engelhardt, Tlusty (PP), Newbury (PP), Fussey, D'Amour (PP, 1a) Crunch Goals: None Shots on Goal: Marlies 32, Crunch 20 Penalty Minutes: Marlies 27, Crunch 39 Goaltender (saves): Marlies - Racine (20 sv, 0 ga)
Crunch - Popperle (26 sv, 6 ga) Three Stars: Erik Westrum TOR (1), J-F Racine TOR (2), Dominic D'Amour TOR (3) Attendance: (4,218 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto)
Saturday, October 7

Manitoba Moose defeat the Toronto Marlies 5-2
Marlies Goals: Earl (1g), Westrum (1g)
Moose Goals: Shultz (1g,1a), Hansen (PP, 1a), Jaffray (2 PPG, GW), Moran (PP)
Shots on Goal: Marlies 32, Moose 30
Penalty Minutes: Marlies 31, Moose 36
Goaltender (saves): Marlies - Pogge (25 sv, 5 ga)

Moose - MacIntyre (30 sv, 2 ga) Three Stars: Brad Moran MAN (1) Jason Jaffray MAN (2), Jesse Schultz MAN (3) Attendance: (3,650 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto)

MARLIES NOTES

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First year Marlie Erik Westrum is the early leader in team scoring after having notched two goals and one assist on opening weekend. Westrum was Friday's first-star following his one goal, one assist performance versus Syracuse. He also tallied a goal on Saturday afternoon in an eventual loss to Manitoba. Westrum finished second in AHL scoring last season when he recorded 98 points with Houston. The Marlies were led in scoring by fellow Minnesotan John Pohl last season. Pohl recorded his first point of the young NHL season last Thursday evening in a 6-0 Maple Leafs' win at Ottawa.

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Defenceman Tyson Marsh skated in the team's opening-night victory over Syracuse on Friday night at Ricoh Coliseum. Marsh, who missed the team's first 68 games of last season with a groin injury, recorded an assist after being held pointless in 12 games at the end of last year.

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Forward Robbie Earl scored his first professional goal in Saturday's 5-2 loss versus Manitoba. The Californian recorded his first pro point in Friday's shutout win over the Crunch when he assisted on Brett Engelhardt's first period tally. After starring at the University of Wisconsin for three seasons, Earl made his AHL debut by playing one game for the Marlies late last season. He was held pointless in a 5-4 SO loss to Syracuse on April 16.

COMING THIS WEEK
Fri., Oct. 13 Grand Rapids Griffins @ Toronto Marlies
Sun., Oct. 15 Hershey Bears @ Toronto Marlies

BOX OFFICE REPORT
7:30 p.m. Ricoh Coliseum TICKETS 416-597-7825
4:00 p.m. Ricoh Coliseum TICKETS 416-597-7825
All start times are listed in Eastern Time Marlies' home & away games broadcast on AM 640 Toronto Radio or torontomarlies.com

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American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2006


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