Duke's Dog Pound News

Zigomanis Assigned to Marlies

2010-11-02T11:15:00.000-04:00

November 1, 2010

Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Monday that forward Mike Zigomanis has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

Zigomanis has played in eight games for the Leafs this season, collecting one assist and four penalty minutes.

The Toronto Marlies begin a 10-game road trip on Wednesday when they travel to San Antonio to play the Rampage. The Marlies next home game will take place on Saturday, November 20 at 3 p.m. when they host the Hamilton Bulldogs at Ricoh Coliseum. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and priority seating, visit www.marlies.ca or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

Griffins Swoop Down on Ricoh for 6-3 Win Against Marlies

2010-10-24T21:31:00.002-04:00

Filppula, Raedeke, Mursak Score 2 Each as Griffins Double Marlies 6-3
Canadian Press
October 24, 2010
TORONTO - Iiari Filppula, Brent Raedeke and Jan Mursak each scored twice for the Grand Rapids Griffins in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Marlies in American Hockey League action Sunday.

Justin Hodgman had two goals and Darryl Boyce had the other for the Marlies (1-4), who were just 1-for-11 on the power play.

It was a great night for the Griffins special teams. They went 2-for-4 with the man advantage and added two short-handed goals.

Grand Rapids' Thomas McCollum made 25 saves for the win, while Jussi Rynnas looked shaky in goal for the Marlies, stopping just 19 of 25 shots for the Marlies. The Finnish netminder has lost all three of his starts this season.

The Griffins got off to a great start scoring the first four goals of the game.

The Griffins (4-2-1) got it going on the power play less than three minutes into the first period. Filppula took a cross-ice pass from Francis Pare and one-timed the puck past Rynnas before he could get over to make the save.

Filppula then got his second of the game at 6:24. He picked up the puck inside the Marlies' blue-line on a partial breakaway and slipped it through Rynnas' legs.The Griffins made it 3-0 at 11:30 with the teams playing 4-on-4. Raedeke screened Rynnas in front and tipped in a point shot from Derek Meech.Raedeke made it 4-0 with the Griffins shorthanded. He blocked a point shot, went in alone on Rynnas and deked him through his legs for his second of the night, bringing jeers from the sparse crowd of 2,294 at Ricoh Coliseum.

Hodgman finally got the Marlies (2-4-0) on the board with a power-play goal at 14:34, snapping a wrist shot up high past McCollum who was making his second straight start.The Griffins made it 5-1 at 5:07 of the second period. With Jay Rosehill off on a double minor for high sticking, Mursak took a pass from Filppula in the slot and beat Rynnas high glove side.Hodgman cut the lead to 5-2 at the end of a power play. Ryan Hamilton made a pass from the corner to Hodgman who drifted into the slot uncovered and backhanded the puck high over McCollum's right shoulder.Mursak got his second of the night shorthanded midway through the third period. Marlies coach Dallas Eakins pulled Rynnas to get a 6-on-4 power play, but the gamble didn't pay off as Mursak scored into the empty net.

Boyce got a short-handed marker for Toronto at 14:10 to make it a three-goal game.The Marlies next play in Hamilton on Friday where they won their only road game of the season. They then host Lake Erie on Saturday before embarking on a 10-game road trip Nov. 3 to 19.

Notes: Marlies' Matt Lashoff and brother Brian on the Griffins played against each other for the first time in their professional careers. . . Rosehill returned to the Marlies' lineup after missing three games to injury. . . Brayden Irwin and Nazem Kadri are ranked among the top five in AHL rookie scoring leaders with six and seven points respectively. . . The Marlies were 2-3-1 against the Griffins last season.

Marlies Bury Barons 5-2

2010-10-24T10:02:00.002-04:00

Nazem Kadri Scores Twice as Toronto Marlies Beat Oklahoma City Barons 5-2
Canadian Press

October 23, 2010

TORONTO - Nazem Kadri re-discovered his scoring touch with two goals, including one for the highlight reels, in the Toronto Marlies' 5-2 win over the Oklahoma City Barons in American Hockey League play Saturday.

Kadri, a former star in the Ontario Hockey League and the Maple Leafs' highly-touted prospect, added two assists in Toronto's (2-3-0) first home win of the season.

James Reimer was solid in net making 31 saves for his second win of the year. Bryan Pitton stopped 28 in just his second start for the Barons (3-4-1).

Joey Crabb also had two goals and Justin Hodgman added a single for the Marlies, but it was the Kadri show Saturday night. He was moved to left wing with Brayden Irwin and Crabb, and the line showed chemistry all game.

After Liam Reddox opened the scoring for the Barons in the first period, Kadri tied the game on a slick solo effort. Kadri took a pass from Irwin inside the Barons' blue-line, slipped the puck through defenceman Jeff Petry's legs, deked goalie Bryan Pitton to his glove side and backhanded it past him up high.

Kadri made it 2-1 for the Marlies early in the second on a play off a faceoff. Irwin won the draw and got it back to Kadri who snapped a wrist shot over Pitton's right shoulder.Kadri was in on Toronto's third goal as well midway through the period. The 20-year-old slipped a backhand pass from behind the net to Crabb who quickly snapped it past Pitton from the top of the crease.

The Barons cut the lead to 3-2 when Linus Omark snapped a wrist shot past Reimer less than two minutes into the third. But Hodgman restored the lead just over a minute later with his first of the season on a nice pass from Alex Foster.Crabb finished off the scoring with his second of the game at 16:24 after Kadri fed him a nice cross-ice pass.

Kadri's four points give him seven in five games with the Marlies.

The game saw Ben Ondrus make his return to Toronto after signing with Oklahoma in the off-season. The former captain remains the Marlies all-time leader in games played (254) and is ranked third all-time in penalty minutes (316).

The Marlies started the year without naming a captain before giving the 'C' to Alex Foster on Friday.

Both teams are in action Sunday. Toronto host the Grand Rapids Griffins, while Oklahoma travels to Hamilton to take on the Bulldogs for their third game in three days.

Notes: Oklahoma's Shawn Belle went into the game tied for second among defencemen in points with seven. . . The Marlies are 21 for 24 on the penalty kill for the season. . . Reimer has been in goal for both Marlies wins this season. . . The announced attendance was 2,046

Marlies Bury Barons 5-2

2010-10-24T10:02:00.001-04:00

Nazem Kadri Scores Twice as Toronto Marlies Beat Oklahoma City Barons 5-2
Canadian Press

October 23, 2010

Kadri, a former star in the Ontario Hockey League and the Maple Leafs' highly-touted prospect, added two assists in Toronto's (2-3-0) first home win of the season.

James Reimer was solid in net making 31 saves for his second win of the year. Bryan Pitton stopped 28 in just his second start for the Barons (3-4-1).

Kadri's four points give him seven in five games with the Marlies.

The Marlies started the year without naming a captain before giving the 'C' to Alex Foster on Friday.

Both teams are in action Sunday. Toronto host the Grand Rapids Griffins, while Oklahoma travels to Hamilton to take on the Bulldogs for their third game in three days.

Marlies Name New Captain

2010-10-24T09:57:00.000-04:00

October 22, 2010

MARLIES ANNOUNCE ALEX FOSTER AS TEAM CAPTAIN

Foster Becomes Third Player in Club History to Wear the ‘C’
A proud member of the American Hockey League, the Toronto Marlies announced today that forward Alex Foster has been selected as the new team captain.

Foster, 26, is in his sixth season as a member of the Maple Leafs organization and succeeds Ben Ondrus as the third captain in Marlies team history. The Canton, Michigan native has skated in 244 career games with the Marlies, ranking second on the club’s all-time list. Over his six seasons, Foster has amassed 117 points (49 goals, 68 assists) and 175 penalty minutes. He ranks tied for third on the Marlies all-time goals list and is fifth in points and assists.

Foster has previously served as an assistant captain with the Marlies the past two seasons.

The Marlies look for their first home win of the 2010-11 season tomorrow evening when they host former captain Ben Ondrus and the Oklahoma City Barons, AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, at 5:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum. For 2010-11 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.marlies.ca or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

Barry Brust Makes 41 Saves to Lead Senators Past Marlies 3-1 in AHL Action

2010-10-18T08:49:00.002-04:00

Canadian Press
October 17, 2010
Gallery: Marlies vs. Senators - Oct. 17th, 2010

TORONTO - Barry Brust made 41 saves to lead the visiting Binghamton Senators over the Toronto Marlies 3-1 in American Hockey League action Sunday.

Ryan Keller, Colin Greening and Erik Condra, into an empty net, provided the scoring for the Senators, who snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 2-3-0 on the season.

Rookie Brayden Irwin replied for the Marlies (1-3-0) in front of 4,816 fans at Ricoh Coliseum - plus a national television audience as the afternoon game was one of 10 AHL contests that will be broadcast on CBC this season.

The game was a lower-case "Battle of Ontario'' as the Marlies are the affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Ottawa Senators are Binghamton's parent team.

Brust was especially sharp in the opening frame when the Sens were outshot 13-6, making a handful of reflex saves, and he denied the Marlies with a couple of big stops in the third period as Binghamton clung to a one-goal lead.

The victory was the first win of the young season for the Senators goalie (1-2-0).Marlies netminder Jussi Rynnas stopped 26 of 28 shots to lose his second straight game, and remain winless in North America. The 23-year-old native of Finland was signed as a free agent in the off-season.The Senators led 1-0 after the first period and 2-1 through 40 minutes.

Binghamton opened the scoring with a late power-play goal in the first period when Keller stole the puck in the offensive zone and beat Rynnas over the shoulder with a high wrist shot at 19:10.

The Senators added to their lead when Greening one-timed a centring pass in the slot past Rynnas at 9:13 of the second period. The goal was Greening's first in the AHL as he turned pro last spring after four seasons of U.S. college hockey at Cornell.

Toronto's Irwin closed the gap less than two minutes later when he went hard to the net and whacked a rebound past Brust at 11:07. Nazem Kadri, who scored his first professional goal against Hamilton on Saturday - a game the Marlies won 5-3 - picked up an assist.

Irwin had a chance to tie the game early in the third period when he broke in all alone on the Senators net, but Brust knocked the puck off of Irwin's stick with a diving poke-check.Toronto continued to pressure Binghamton in the final frame, but Brust turned aside everything that came his way.

Condra sealed the game for the Senators with an empty-netter at 19:30 of the third period.

Notes: The Marlies are 0-3-0 at home after going 22-13-5 at Ricoh last year. ... The Marlies are off until the weekend, when they host Oklahoma City on Saturday and Grand Rapids on Sunday.

Toronto Marlies Beat Hamilton Bulldogs 5-3 in AHL Action

2010-10-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

Canadian Press

October 16, 2010

HAMILTON, Ont. - Darryl Boyce scored a controversial winner in the third Saturday as the Toronto Marlies beat the Hamilton Bulldogs 5-3 in American Hockey League action.

Boyce appeared to redirect Keith Aulie's shot past Hamilton goalie Robert Mayer with a high stick.Hamilton led 2-0 and 3-1 in the second and had multiple chances to bury the Marlies, including an empty net while Toronto's James Reimer came out of his net to play the puck.

Nazem Kadri's first goal as a professional on shot through traffic made it 3-2 late in the period and turned out to be the spark the Marlies needed.Luca Caputi added an empty netter.Toronto was slow out of the gate, lacking any rhythm through the first two periods.

Ben Maxwell, who finished with two goals on the night, put Hamilton up 3-1.

On a failed Toronto breakout, Max Pacioretty caught Reimer out of position. Handcuffed by the shot, Reimer sent the rebound right in front to Ryan White, who fed Maxwell.

Reimer, who finished with 33 saves, got a chance for redemption shortly after.David Desharnais and Ryan Russell had a 2-on-1 opportunity robbed by the outstretched right pad by Reimer, keeping the score 3-1 to set the stage for the Toronto comeback.

Cam Cunning scores late goalie in Abbotsford's 3-2 win over the Marlies

2010-10-14T12:37:00.001-04:00

Canadian Press
October 11, 2010

TORONTO - The Maple Leafs and the Baby Leafs are heading in opposite directions to start the 2010-11 season.Cam Cunning beat Jussi Rynnas with 3:34 left in the third period to give the Abbotsford Heat a 3-2 win over Toronto on Monday.The Marlies are now 0-2-0 after falling to another division rival, while the Leafs are 2-0-0 to start their campaign.Leyland Irving made 34 saves for Abbotsford while Rynnas made 26 in his first start for the Marlies.Matt Keith and Greg Nemisz scored the others for the Heat (2-1-0). Matt Lashoff and Mike Brennan replied for Toronto.Rynnas was sharp in his debut. The Finnish goalie made a number of great saves, especially on the penalty kill when the Marlies had to kill off two 5-on-3 power plays for the Heat.After being sat by coach Dallas Eakins in the second period of the season opener, Nazem Kadri was moved to the wing with Alex Foster, but was held off the scoresheet. The Leafs highly touted prospect has managed just one assist in his first two games.Toronto came out strong early and dominated most of the first period. The Marlies opened the scoring on the power play at 12:05, when Lashoff's point shot beat Irving low stick side.Toronto had a chance to open the scoring earlier while short-handed. Luca Caputi took a drop pass from Joey Crabb and beat Irving cleanly, but his shot hit the post.Rynnas didn't have much work in the first but had to be good late in the frame. He made some keys saves when the Marlies had to kill a 5-on-3 Heat power play in the last minute.The Heat tied the game at 3:40 of the second period. Keith came across the crease, deked Rynnas backhand to forehand and flipped a shot over his outstretched glove.Nemisz put Abbotsford 2-1 with a short-handed goal at 8:44. He took a pass from Carter Bancks on a two-on-one break and beat Rynnas high from the slot to make it 2-1.Toronto tied it up 2-2 at 15:45 on a nice three-way scoring play. Danny Richmond fed Caputi, who then made a cross-ice pass to Mike Brennan for his first as a Marlie.Toronto had two great chances to score in the third period. Ryan Hamilton went in alone on a breakaway from his own blue-line but was stopped by Irving, and Marcel Mueller had a chance with about five minutes left to give the Marlies the lead, but his shot from the slot hit the post.The Marlies pulled their goalie to try and get the equalizer late, but couldn't beat Irving, who was solid in net for the Heat.Notes: The Marlies were 2-0-0 to start last season and haven't lost their first two games of a season in regulation since the team moved to Toronto ... The Marlies were 23-3-12 in one-goal games in 2009-10 ... Toronto has killed all 10 penalties it has taken this season ... The Heat were 5-2-1 against the Marlies last season, including a 3-0-1 record at Ricoh Coliseum ... Announced attendance was 1,765.

Bulldogs Edge Marlies 2-1

2010-02-07T08:19:00.000-05:00

February 6, 2010
Glumac’s Two-Goal Game Lifts Bulldogs Past Marlies
Deveaux’s 14th of the season not enough as Marlies drop second straight game

(TORONTO) – The Bulldogs erased a 1-0 first period deficit and defeated the Marlies 2-1 on Saturday night in front of 5,868 fans at Ricoh Coliseum.

Despite the Marlies being outplayed and outshot in the first period, they went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Andre Deveaux tipped in a point shot from Brendan Mikkelson on the power play to put the Marlies on the board on their first shot of the game. Jonas Frogren collected the assist on Deveaux’s team-leading 14th goal of the season.

Joey MacDonald stood on his head, making 14 saves in the opening stanza.

The Bulldogs kept up the tempo in the second period and it finally paid off. Mike Glumac scored twice early in the second period to put Hamilton in front 2-1. Glumac’s 12th and 13th of the season came just over two minutes apart.

Hamilton out-shot the Marlies 32-6 after 40 minutes.

The Marlies had a few chances on a power play mid-way through the third period, but couldn’t beat Bulldogs starting goalie Curtis Sanford.

Toronto’s power play went 1-for-5 in the game.

Deveaux has registered a point in three straight contests.

Toronto will play their next four games on the road, beginning with a tilt on Monday night against the Heat in Abbotsford with puck-drop scheduled for 10:30 p.m. (ET).

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Crunched in Shootout

2010-01-25T08:34:00.000-05:00

January 24, 2010
Marlies Edged in Shootout by Crunch on Sunday afternoon
Greg Scott Extends Point Streak to Five with Assist

(TORONTO) – The Marlies fought back from a 3-1 third period deficit, but eventually fell to the Syracuse Crunch in a shootout on Sunday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum. The Marlies' 4-3 loss was their first home shootout defeat of the season.

Former Marlie, Bates Battaglia, was too much for Toronto in the second period, setting up both of the Crunch’s goals.

Tomas Kana beat Joey MacDonald twice in the middle frame to give Syracuse a 2-1 advantage at the second intermission.

Derek MacKenzie scored his 10th goal of the season at the 14:03 mark of the third period to put the Crunch ahead by two goals.

Less than a minute later, Brendan Mikkelson carried the puck into the Crunch zone and made a nifty move as he fell onto his knees and slid the puck underneath Syracuse goaltender Kevin Lalande. Tim Brent and Greg Scott collected assists on Mikkelson’s fifth of the season.

With the assist, Scott extended his point streak to five games.

Andre Deveaux redirected a puck past Lalande to tie the game 20 seconds after Mikkelson’s goal.

After a scoreless overtime, Brendan Bell and Kana both beat MacDonald in the shootout, giving the Crunch the 4-3 victory.

MacDonald made 32 saves in the shootout loss and appeared in all three games over the weekend.

Toronto, who snapped their seven game losing skid on Friday night, collected five out of a possible six points over the weekend.

Toronto hosts Justin Pogge and the San Antonio Rampage on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in their second school day game of the season.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Bite Dogs

2010-01-25T08:33:00.000-05:00

January 23, 2010
Marlies Hold Onto Victory to Down Bulldogs at Ricoh Coliseum
Christian Hanson’s Three-Point Night Paces Marlies to Second Straight Win

(TORONTO) – The Marlies returned home for their first game at Ricoh Coliseum in 21 days on Saturday night and greeted their best crowd of the season with a 4-3 win over the Western Conference’s top team.

Toronto scored the game’s first three goals, with two of them coming in the opening frame.

Newly acquired forward Justin Hodgman scored his first goal of the season five minutes into the game to put Toronto up 1-0. Hodgman's goal was the first of his AHL career.

Tim Brent netted his second goal of the season on the power play four minutes later. Brent, who missed the first 42 games of the season due to injury, returned to the Marlies line-up on Friday night against Grand Rapids and also scored in that game.

Viktor Stalberg banged home his 10th goal of the season, putting the Marlies in front 3-0 one minute into the second stanza.

After Ben Maxwell made it 3-1, Christian Hanson received a pass from Kyle Calder and slid it by Bulldogs netminder Curtis Sanford.

Hanson finished the night with a goal and two assists, earning first star honours.

The Bulldogs chipped away at the Marlies lead, but a four-minute penalty to Brock Trotter late in the game spoiled their chance of a comeback. Trotter received a double-minor for attempting to butt-end.

Greg Scott added an assist in the game, pushing his point streak to four games.

The Marlies improved their record to 11-0-5-2 in games decided by one goal.

Announced attendance was a season-high 7,084.

Toronto hosts Bates Battaglia and the Syracuse Crunch on Sunday afternoon with puck-drop scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Snap Skid in Grand Rapids

2010-01-23T08:13:00.000-05:00

January 22, 2010

Tim Brent Scores In His First Game With Toronto

(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) - It was a grand welcome for Tim Brent in his first game with the Toronto Marlies.

After missing the first 42 games of the season injured, Brent made his season debut by scoring the opening goal of the game, as Toronto snapped its seven game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Griffins in Grand Rapids on Friday night.

Jonas Frogren, Andre Deveaux and Viktor Stalberg also scored for the Marlies, who went 1-5-2-0 on their road trip. John Vigilante had the lone Griffins goal.

With just over a minute to go in the first period, Josh Engel sent a puck in front of the goal, and it bounced to Brent who had the wide open goal, to tap the puck in behind Daniel Larsson, and gave a joyous celebration.

Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the second period as Christian Hanson led a 2 on 1 rush down the wing and sent a pass across to Frogren, who fired the puck in. 3:19 later, Deveaux's snap shot from the top of the circle eluded Larsson for a 3-0 lead.

Vigilante would get Grand Rapids on the board in the third with a weird shot from the corner that got caught up in the skates of Joey MacDonald and found its way into the net. It would break the shutout bid for MacDonald, who made his first start in Van Andel Arena since being a member of the Griffins, the team in which he holds the franchise record for career shutouts with 16.

Stalberg added the empty net goal, on a pass from Greg Scott to seal the win.

MacDonald made 24 saves for the win and was named first star, while Larsson stopped 18 shots in the loss.

Toronto returns home after their 8 game road trip on Saturday night against the Hamilton Bulldogs at Ricoh Coliseum. Puck drop is 7pm.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Acquire Hodgman

2010-01-22T08:26:00.000-05:00

January 21, 2010
Marlies Acquire Hodgman from Rockford

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has acquired forward Justin Hodgman from the Rockford IceHogs in exchange for future considerations.

Hodgeman, 21, has played in 33 games this season with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, totaling nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points. The Brampton, Ontario native ranks sixth (tie) on the Walleye in goals and eighth (tie) in points.

The 6’1, 196-pound centre played in 254 career games with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League over four seasons. Hodgman tallied 87 goals and 130 assists for 217 points with the Otters.

The Marlies end their eight-game road trip on Friday night with a matchup against the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, at 7:00 p.m. at Van Andel Arena. Toronto returns to Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday when they take on the Hamilton Bulldogs, AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, on Saturday with puck-drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Canadians Prove Hockey is OUR Game in All-Star Game Victory

2010-01-20T08:23:00.001-05:00

January 19, 2010
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PORTLAND, Maine … After an 18-12 win in Monday’s Skills Competition, the Canadian AHL All-Stars completed a sweep of the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic tonight with a come-from-behind 10-9 shootout win over PlanetUSA in the 2010 AHL All-Star Game at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Rookie Tyler Ennis of the hometown Portland Pirates was selected the game’s most valuable player, notching a goal and two assists for the Canadians.

The Canadians were down by four goals when the Worcester Sharks’ Logan Couture began the comeback at 7:48 of the third period. The Binghamton Senators’ Ryan Keller collected his second goal of the night at 12:30 and Dustin Jeffrey of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins cut the deficit to 9-8 at the 14:41 mark. Then, with their goaltender pulled for an extra attacker, the Canadian squad evened the score when reigning league MVP Alexandre Giroux of the Hershey Bears banged home a shot with 18.0 seconds remaining.

Couture and Hamilton Bulldogs rookie P.K. Subban scored in the shootout while Hamilton’s Cedrick Desjardins stopped four of five PlanetUSA attempts to seal the win, establishing the largest third-period comeback in AHL All-Star Game history.

PlanetUSA’s offense was led by Brett Sterling of the Chicago Wolves, Mikko Lehtonen of the Providence Bruins and Sergei Shirokov of the Manitoba Moose with two goals apiece. Corey Locke of the Hartford Wolf Pack picked up an assist for the Canadian side to set a league record with his ninth career All-Star point. The road to the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs continues when the American Hockey League’s 74th season resumes on Friday.

SOURCE: theahl.com

Canadians take win in Skills Competition

2010-01-19T08:20:00.002-05:00

January 18, 2010
PORTLAND, Maine

The Canadian AHL All-Stars opened the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic with an 18-12 victory over their PlanetUSA counterparts in the 2010 Ducks Unlimited AHL All-Star Skills Competition at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Monday evening.

Skills Scoresheet

Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Cedrick Desjardins claimed the Reebok Top Goaltender award by stopping 16 of 19 shots for the Canadian side. Desjardins, a second-year pro, entered the league’s midseason showcase ranking second in the AHL in goals-against average (1.81), tied for fifth in save percentage (.929), and first in shutouts (5) in 26 games for the North Division-leading Bulldogs.

PlanetUSA defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti set an event record by completing the Reebok Fastest Skater competition in 13.677 seconds. A first-round draft pick (21st overall) by the New York Rangers in 2006, the 21-year-old Sanguinetti hit the All-Star break with 26 points (6-20-26) in 38 games as a second-year pro for Hartford.

Canadian forward Blair Jones of the Norfolk Admirals claimed the Reebok Hardest Shot contest with a blast clocked at 100.7 miles per hour, becoming just the fourth AHL player in the event’s history to top the century mark. Jon Matsumoto from the Adirondack Phantoms recorded the best mark in the Ducks Unlimited Accuracy Shooting event by hitting four of five targets.

Desjardins combined with Albany’s Justin Peters (12 saves) and Manchester’s Jonathan Bernier (12 saves) to help the Canadian AHL All-Stars halt a three-year losing streak in the Skills Competition.

The Canadian squad will go for the sweep when the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic continues on Tuesday night (8:00 p.m. ET) with the annual AHL All-Star Game. Check theahl.com for air times and channels along the AHL All-Star Classic television network.

SOURCE: theahl.com

Marlies Rampaged in San Antonio

2010-01-18T17:07:00.001-05:00

January 17, 2010
Greg Scott Scores Shorthanded Goal Late In Third, But Not Enough To Avoid Seventh Straight Loss

(SAN ANTONIO, TX) - The AHL All-Star break is upon the Marlies and it's not a moment too soon.

Justin Pogge made 29 saves and Sean Zimmerman's second period goal would stand as the winner, as the Marlies suffered a 5-2 loss to the Rampage in San Antonio on Sunday.
Ryan Hollweg, Chad Kolarik, Sean Sullivan and Mikkel Boedker had the other Rampage goals. Ashton Rome and Greg Scott scored for Toronto.

Andrew Engelage made 39 saves in goal for Toronto.

Rome opened the scoring just over six minutes into the game as Richard Greenop tried a wrap around on Pogge that went off his stick and into the slot, where Rome snapped the shot into the top of the net. Hollweg replied later in the period on the power play, when he tipped a MacGregor Sharp point shot past Engelage to make it 1-1 after twenty minutes.

Kolarik and Zimmerman would score in the second to give the Rampage a 3-1 lead after two periods.

Toronto battled back and Viktor Stalberg, who celebrated his birthday today, set-up Scott for a shorthanded break. He snapped a shot through the pads of Pogge to make it a 3-2 game with just under four minutes left in the third. But 35 seconds later, Sullivan took a pass from Pogge and went end to end on the power play, and finshed with a snap shot through the legs of Engelage to make it 4-2. Boedker added an empty net goal.

Toronto will resume it's 8 game road trip after the All-Star break on Friday night for their final stop on the trip in Grand Rapids.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Aeros Ground Marlies in Houston

2010-01-17T12:30:00.001-05:00

January 16, 2010

Toronto Drops Sixth Straight Game On Road Trip

(HOUSTON, TX) - There is a marathon in Houston tomorrow morning, but for the Marlies, their road trip is already feeling like one.

Nathan Smith had a pair of goals for the Aeros as Toronto dropped it's sixth straight game with a 5-2 loss in Houston on Saturday night.

Jean-Michel Daoust, Matt Kassian and J.P. Testwuide had the other Houston goals. Greg Scott and Kyle Calder netted the Marlies goals, both in the third period.

Daoust put the Aeros out front late in the first period on the power play beating Joey MacDonald with a chip shot in fron the net, that flipped over the goaltender off the crossbar and in for a 1-0 lead.

Houston opened up the game early in the second period when Kassian beat MacDonald through the legs from the wing on a 2-on-1 rush two minutes into the period. Smith then scored three minutes later to make it 3-0 at the five minute mark. Andrew Engelage came in to replace MacDonald, who finished with 7 saves on the night. Just over two minutes later, Smith pounced on a rebound off the pad of Engelage and slipped the puck under his arm to make it 4-0.

Scott put Toronto on the board 32 seconds into the third period when his shot from the left boards, went off the arm of Wade Dubielewicz and rolled over the goal line. Toronto cut the lead in half with five minutes to go as Andre Deveaux took the puck into the Houston zone and went around behind the goal and centered the pass for Calder, who tapped home his second goal as a Marlie.

The Marlies had a chance on the power play with three minutes left in the third, but Danny Irmen led a shorthanded 2 on 1 rush, and fed Testwuide for the goal to make it 5-2.

Toronto finished 0 for 6 on the power play, while holding Houston to just one goal on 10 power play opportunities.

The Marlies play their final game ahead of the All-Star break in San Antonio on Sunday afternoon at 4pm ET.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Stars Shined as Marlies Drop Game in Texas

2010-01-16T13:34:00.001-05:00

January 15, 2010

Greenop Scores First AHL Goal In Loss To Texas

(CEDAR PARK, TX) - Nothing seems to be coming easy these days for the Marlies.

Texas scored three goals in the second period as Toronto dropped their fifth straight game by a 5-1 score to the Stars in Cedar Park, just outside of Austin on Friday night.

Warren Peters, Travis Morin, Greg Rallo, Aaron Gagnon and Francis Wathier all had goals for the Stars, who lead the West division.

Richard Greenop scored his first AHL goal for Toronto, who have yet to earn a victory on their 8 game road trip.

Matt Climie made 23 saves for the win, while Joey MacDonald stopped 15 shots in the loss.

Kyle Calder was awarded a penalty shot just over two minutes into a scoreless second period, but was stopped by Climie. Peters then scored 1:32 later to give the Stars a 1-0, followed by Morin's goal just over 90 seconds later for the 2-0 lead. Rallo would make it 3-0 before the end of the period.

In the third period, Greenop and Robert Slaney lead a rush into the Stars zone as Slaney set-up Greenop in front for his first goal.

Toronto travels to Houston to face the Aeros on Saturday night.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Wolves Bite Marlies in 3-2 OT Loss

2010-01-11T08:54:00.002-05:00

January 10, 2010
Toronto Earns Point In The Windy City

ROSEMONT, IL) – The Marlies and Wolves couldn’t have played much closer of a game then they did on Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena.

Joey Crabb’s goal at the 2:30 mark of overtime lifted the Chicago Wolves to a 3-2 win over the Marlies.

Andrew Kozek and Nathan Oystrick scored the other goals for Chicago, who won their first overtime game against the Marlies in the all-time stats.
Stefano Giliati had his second of the year with Ben Simon adding his first goal for the Marlies.
Giliati struck early for Toronto just 38 seconds into the game, beating Drew MacIntyre to give the Marlies a 1-0 lead.

The Wolves tied the game on Kozek’s goal early in the second period, when he was able to find a rebound behind Joey MacDonald during a scramble in the crease and bat the puck into the empty net. Simon regained the lead for Toronto with 1:05 left in the second period to make it 2-1 after 40 minutes.

In the third, Oystrick tied the game on the power play, jumping on a rebound from Johnny Pohl to make it 2-2.

In overtime, Pohl led the puck into the Marlies zone over the blueline along the boards, then handed it off to Crabb, who rushed the puck through the high slot and scored the winner with a high shot under the crossbar.

Chicago out shot Toronto 31-20 in the game, while going 1 for 6 on the power play. The Marlies were 1 for 4.

Toronto will head south to Texas where they’ll continue their road trip on Friday night in Austin against the Stars.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Admirals Drop Anchor on Marlies

2010-01-10T10:18:00.001-05:00

January 9, 2010
MacDonald Makes 34 Saves, Rogers Scores For Second Straight Game In Loss

(MILWAUKEE, WI) - When it comes to west division opponents, Milwaukee is not one the Marlies enjoy.

Jonathon Blum had the game winning goal in the second period as the Marlies dropped a close 3-1 game to the Admirals in Milwaukee on Saturday. The Admirals are now 9-2-0-2 all-time against Toronto.

Dave Scatchard had the opening goal of the game 3:25 into the first period while Mike Santorelli scored into an empty net with a minute left in the third period.

Kyle Rogers scored the only Marlies goal for the second straight game.

Joey MacDonald returned to the net and was stellar making 34 saves, and holding the Marlies in the game all night long. Mark Dekanich ended with 16 stops for the win in the Admirals goal.
Both teams had three chances on the power play, with Blum's goal being the only power play marker.

The Marlies will continue their 8 game road trip in Chicago on Sunday when they face the Wolves at 4pm ET.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Rivermen Sink Marlies 5-1

2010-01-09T14:01:00.000-05:00

January 8, 2010
Teams Share Five Power Play Goals In Contest

(PEORIA, IL) - The only thing the Marlies didn't throw at Hannu Toivenen and the Peoria goal in the third period was the kitchen sink.

The second best power play in the AHL scored four goals as the Marlies dropped a 5-1 decision to the Rivermen in Peoria on Friday night.

Toivenen made 29 saves on the night, with 18 in the third period alone for the win. Adam Munro made 24 saves for Toronto, who dropped their second game of the road trip.

Nicholas Drazenovic, Barry Tallackson, Steve Wagner, Pascal Pelletier and Tyson Strachan scored the Rivermen goals, while Kyle Rogers scored his second of the season for Toronto.

The Rivermen opened the scoring midway through the first period when Drazenovic tipped a Jonas Junland point shot on Munro, who made the save, but Drazenovic was able to bat the rebound into the net on the power play. Just over three minutes later, Rogers tied the game on the man advantage when he defelcted a Josh Engel point shot. Tallackson put Peoria ahead 2-1 with a late period power play goal.

The Rivermen held a 12-4 shot advantage in the second period, as Wagner fired a one-timer over the shoulder of Munro on the power play with 4.9 seconds left in the period for a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Toronto came out strong in the third period and had several good scoring chances, but were thwarted by Toivenen on several occasssions. Pelletier scored the only non-power play goal of the game into the empty net with 1:02 left in the third, before Strachan added another power play marker with 25 seconds left in the game.

Peoria was 4 for 5 on the man advantage, while Toronto was 1 for 4.

The Marlies continue their 8 game road trip in Milwaukee against the Admirals on Saturday night.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

AHL Announces New "AHL Authentic" Program

2010-01-07T16:53:00.002-05:00

January 7, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... The American Hockey League today announced the launch of AHL Authentic, a new program that will offer fans the opportunity to own authentic game-worn AHL jerseys and other game-used league collectibles.

Beginning with the 2010 AHL All-Star Game on January 19, AHL Authentic will auction off a complete set of All-Star Game-worn jerseys. Subsequent auctions will feature All-Star warm-up jerseys and jerseys worn during the Skills Competition as part of the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic.

Pucks and other collectibles will also be available in future auctions, and later in the 2009-10 season AHL Authentic will be offering a variety of game-worn AHL team jerseys and jerseys from the 2010 Calder Cup Finals.

All jerseys in the program will be branded with an AHL Authentic patch and all auctions will include letters verifying the items’ authenticity.

In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 85 percent of today’s NHL players are AHL graduates, and for the eighth year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2008-09.

SOURCE: theahl.com

Marlies Drop OT Heartbreaker

2010-01-07T16:51:00.000-05:00

January 7, 2010
OT Winner Sinks Marlies With 0.1 Seconds Left In Extra Period
(ROCKFORD, IL) – The Marlies opened up their 8 game road trip with a hard fought point and a heartbreaking loss.

Jake Dowell scored the overtime winner with one tenth of a second left on the clock as the Marlies dropped a 4-3 decision to the Ice Hogs in Rockford.

Kyle Greentree had a pair of goals for Rockford while Matt Keith added a solo in the win.

Kyle Calder scored his first goal with the Marlies, with Andre Deveaux and Tyler Bozak adding the Toronto markers.

The game was a close game from start to finish, with neither team recording double digit shots on goal in any period. There were only four penalties in the game as well.

Greentree had the only goal of the first period, while Calder tapped home a rebound with less than a minute remaining in the second period to make it a 1-1 after 40 minutes.

Both teams swapped goals in the opening 2:04 of the third period, when Deveaux scored his tenth of the season just 45 seconds into the period. Keith replied 1:19 later to make it a 3-2 game.

It stayed that way until late in the third, when Greg Scott fed Bozak a pass across the zone, and Bozak snapped the shot over the shoulder of Joe Fallon to tie the game 3-3.

It remained a back and forth affair in overtime and looked bound for the shootout, until former Marlie Richard Petiot led a rush into the Toronto zone in the final seconds and worked the puck to the corner, where Dowell grabbed the puck, and threw it towards the goal. The puck bounced on its edge and kicked off the skate of MacDonald and into the back of the net just before the final buzzer.

MacDonald made 24 saves to keep Toronto in the game and help earn the point, while Fallon stopped 17.

Toronto continues the road trip in Peoria on Friday night against the Rivermen.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Leave Admirals Up the Creek Without a Paddle

2010-01-03T09:07:00.000-05:00

January 2, 2010

Marlies Sink Admirals with 3-2 Shootout Win
Marlies Start 2010 with Comeback Win Over Milwaukee

(TORONTO) – Andre Deveaux’s third period goal tied the game, and Greg Scott’s shootout winner guided the Marlies to their second straight win on Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 victory at Ricoh Coliseum.

Mark Santorelli gave Milwaukee the lead 13 minutes into the game with a wrist shot that beat Marlies starting goalie Joey MacDonald.

Five minutes later at the end of the first frame Brendan Mikkelson’s point shot on the power play tied the game at 1-1. Stefano Giliati and Tyler Bozak collected assists on Mikkelson’s fourth of the season.

In the second stanza, Cal O’Reilly burned MacDonald with a wrist shot that went just under the crossbar, giving the Admirals a 2-1 lead at the second intermission.

The Marlies entered the game with a 3-15-1 record when trailing after two periods.

Deveaux scored the Marlies fourth power play goal over the past two games to knot the contest at 2-2. Ben Gordon, playing in his third game as a Marlie, picked up his fourth point with an assist.

After a scoreless overtime period, Tyler Bozak and Greg Scott netted goals in the shootout and MacDonald made four saves on five shooters to secure the win for Toronto.

Kyle Calder and Ben Simon both made their Marlie debuts in the game on Saturday.

The win improved the Marlies home record to an impressive 11-5-3.

The Marlies begin their eight-game road trip on Wednesday night with a game against the IceHogs in Rockford at 8:05 p.m. (ET).

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Sink Rivermen 3-2

2009-12-31T08:13:00.001-05:00

December 30, 2009
Marlies End Losing Streak with 3-2 Win over Peoria Rivermen
Greg Scott and Ben Gordon’s Two-Point Nights Propel Marlies to Victory

(TORONTO) – The Marlies ended the 2009 calendar year with a 3-2 victory over the Peoria Rivermen on Wednesday night. Joey MacDonald snapped a seven-game losing streak in the win and was named the game’s third star.

After shutting out the Rivermen through two periods, MacDonald allowed a pair of goals late in the third period, but then made key saves in the final minutes of the game for Toronto.

“MacDonald had a big game for us tonight and made some massive saves to keep us in the game,” head coach Dallas Eakins said after the game. “He deserves a lot of the credit in the win we got tonight.”

MacDonald’s last win came on October 30 against Adirondack.

Greg Scott opened the scoring early in the first period on a power play goal. Ben Gordon had the puck behind Peoria’s net and fed a pass to Scott who beat Rivermen starting goalie Hannu Toivonen glove-side. Ashton Rome, who signed with the Marlies earlier in the day, registered an assist on Scott’s second goal of the season.

Ben Gordon netted his second goal of the season with a wrist shot that went top shelf on Toivonen’s glove-side. Boyce carried the puck down the ice from the Marlies zone and passed it to Gordon who was streaking down the wing. scoring the game's second goal.

Juraj Mikus made it a 3-0 game in the second period with a phantom goal from the red-line. Mikus dumped the puck into Peoria’s zone on a power play and it hit the partition with Toivonen out of position and it bounced into the empty net.

The Rivermen scored two late goals but the Marlies held on and improved their record to 8-0-2 when taking a lead into the third period.

The Marlies open the 2010 year with a home game on Saturday afternoon against the Milwaukee Admirals at 4:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Mauled 5-2 By Bulldogs

2009-12-30T09:58:00.002-05:00

December 28, 2009
QEW Series Now Even After Four Games

(HAMILTON, ON) - The Marlies and Bulldogs took the intensity level up another notch in the QEW rivalry series on Monday night at Copps Coliseum.

David Desharnais had two goals to help pace the Bulldogs to a 5-2 win over the Marlies. P.K. Subban, Andrew Conboy and Yannick Weber had the other markers as Hamilton scored three times on the man advantage.

Stefano Giliati had his first of the season while Ben Gordon netted his first career AHL goal for Toronto.

After a close first period, which ended 1-1, Hamilton was able to take advantage of the power play as Weber fired a one-timer past Adam Munro midway through the second period to make it a 3-2 game.

Desharnais would add two more in the third to seal the game.

Cederick Desjardins made 20 saves for the win. Munro was solid with 36 stops in the losing cause. There was a heated battle that boiled over in the third period where 46 minutes in penalties were handed out.

The Marlies will return to action for their final game of 2009 on Wednesday night against the Peoria Rivermen at Ricoh Coliseum. Game time is 7:00pm

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Monster Slay Marlies 7-0

2009-12-28T10:06:00.003-05:00

Lake Erie matched a season high with seven goals and rolled to a 7-0 road win over Toronto on Sunday at Ricoh Coliseum, giving the Monsters a sweep of the teams’ home-and-home set this weekend.

The suddenly surging Monsters have won four straight games overall, outscoring opponents 20-6 over that span. Lake Erie’s winning streak is its longest since a five-game run from Feb. 20-28, 2009.

Darren Haydar paced the Monsters’ offense with two goals, an assist, and seven shots on goal. Ryan Stoa (1-2-3) and T.J. Hensick (0-3-3) joined Haydar with three points on the day, Cedric McNicoll also scored twice, while defenseman Ray Macias and captain Brian Willsie rounded out the offense.

Defenseman Tom Preissing chipped in two assists, and Lake Erie goaltender Tyler Weiman made 32 saves to earn his second shutout of the season.

The Marlies dropped their third straight game and fell to 1-5-1-0 in their last seven outings.

SOURCE: theahl.com

Marlies Sign Ben Gordon to PTO

2009-12-28T10:04:00.000-05:00

December 27, 2009
Marlies Sign Forward Ben Gordon to PTO Contract

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has signed forward Ben Gordon to a professional try-out contract.

Gordon, 24, skated in 28 games this season with the Reading Royals, registering a team-high 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) and 25 penalty minutes. The International Falls, MN native ranks first on the Royals in points, goals and assists.

Gordon was named the Sher-wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week for December 14-20.

The Marlies host the Lake Erie Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, today at 4:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Best Wolves 5-4 in Big Shootout Win

2009-12-12T09:31:00.003-05:00

December 11, 2009
Marlies Win 5-4 in Shootout Over Chicago
Toronto Wins Second Straight Game in Thrilling Fashion at Ricoh Coliseum

(TORONTO) – The Marlies downed the Chicago Wolves in the 10th of the shootout on Friday night, 5-4 to push their winning streak to two games and improving their home record to 9-3-2-0.

After allowing a soft goal which tied the game at 4-4 mid-way through the third period, Andrew Engelage redeemed himself in the shootout. Engelage, appearing in his first AHL shootout, made plenty key saves to give the Marlies a chance for the win. Toronto’s rookie goalie made 18 saves, including eight in the shootout, for his second consecutive win.

“It was really good to see Andrew play so well for us in the shootout,” Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins said after the game. “You don’t realize how big of a goalie he is until you are coming down on him one-on-one.”

After a scoreless first period, the two teams combined for seven goals in the second period.

Tyler Bozak, Josh Engel, Viktor Stalberg and Jonas Frogren all netted goals for the Marlies in a four-goal second frame.

Engel’s goal, which came on a Toronto power play ,was his first of the season and second of his AHL career.

Anthony Stewart tied the game at 4-4 for the Wolves with a shot from the side boards at the 11:55 mark of the third period.

The Marlies had two 5-on-3 advantages in the extra frame, but failed to score on Chicago’s starting goalie Drew MacIntyre.

Juraj Mikus netted the shootout winner in the 10th round.

Bozak finished the night with a goal and an assist for his second multi-point game of the season.

Chicago has now dropped five of their past six games overall.

The Marlies are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host the Grand Rapids Griffins at 5:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Viktor-y For Marlies in OT

2009-12-07T08:29:00.001-05:00

December 5, 2009
Marlies End Three-Game Losing Streak by Downing Bulldogs 6-5 in OT
Stalberg’s Big Night Helps Pave Way for Marlies Win

(TORONTO) – Viktor Stalberg’s second goal of the night at the 4:39 mark of overtime lifted the Marlies to a 6-5 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum. The win ended Toronto’s three-game losing streak, which saw them score only one goal during that span.

The Marlies got on the board early in the first period with a goal by Andre Deveaux on the power play. Viktor Stalberg carried the puck into the Bulldogs zone and past the puck back to Juraj Mikus, who fired the shot on goal. Deveaux redirected it past Hamilton’s starting goalie Curtis Sanford.

Stalberg added to the Marlies lead while shorthanded when he stole the puck and beat Sanford on a breakaway.

After the Bulldogs made it 2-1 early in the second period, Troy Bodie ripped a wrist shot just under the cross bar to extend the Marlies lead to 3-1. Ben Ondrus collected an assist on the goal.

The Bulldogs tied the game with goals from David Desharnais and Michael Glumac.

Greg Scott scored his first career American Hockey League goal mid-way through the third period. Scott banged home a loose puck in front of the Bulldogs goal for his first of his career. Bodie picked up his second point of the night with an assist on the goal.

The Bulldogs outshot the Marlies 17-7 in the second frame, but Toronto took a 4-3 advantage into the third period.

Hamilton tied the game seven minutes into the third period, but Deveaux netted his second of the night when he fired a shot past Sanford.

Ryan Russell tied the game at 5-5 at the 14:04 mark of the third period.

In overtime, Stalberg, who had just finished serving a two minute penalty, ripped a wrist shot past Sanford to give Toronto the 6-5 victory.

Andrew Engelage won his first career AHL game, making 42 saves.

The Marlies continue their four-game homestand on Friday night when they host Chris Chelios and the Chicago Wolves at Ricoh Coliseum at 7:00 p.m.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Heat Sends Shivers Down the Marlies' Spines

2009-12-02T08:48:00.000-05:00

December 1, 2009
Abbotsford Halts Marlies Points Streak at Four Games
Colin Stuart’s Two-Goal Performance Too Much for Marlies

(TORONTO) – The Marlies dropped their second straight game on Tuesday night, 3-0, to the Abbotsford Heat at Ricoh Coliseum. The loss snapped the Marlies four-game points streak, as they went 3-0-1-0 during that stretch.

Colin Stuart scored his first of two goals in the game five minutes into the opening frame with a wrist shot that beat Marlies starting goaltender Andrew Engelage.

Stuart was briefly part of the Maple Leafs organization over the summer before being traded to Calgary.

Engelage made his first start at home for the Marlies after being recalled from the Reading Royals of the ECHL over the weekend. The 6’5, 206-pound goaltender won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires last season.

Abbotsford added to their lead mid-way through the second period with a goal from Garth Murray.

Stuart banged home a loose puck in front of the Marlie net for his second goal of the night on a Heat power play. Abbotsford’s leading point scorer, Jason Jaffray, collected an assist on Stuart’s seventh of the season.

Despite the Marlies out-shooting the Heat, 9-3, Toronto failed to beat Abbotsford’s starting goalie Matt Keetley who earned his first shutout of the season.

Toronto’s power play went 0-for-4; while their penalty killing unit was 6-for-7.

The Marlies had only been shutout once entering tonight's game this season.

The Marlies travel down the QEW to face their division rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday evening for a 7:30 p.m. contest. On Saturday, the two teams play each other again at 4:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

TeamUp Foundation Launched by MLSE

2009-12-02T08:44:00.005-05:00

Four Teams - One Focus
December 1, 2009

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) officially launched its new charitable arm, the MLSE Team Up Foundation on Tuesday. Building on the past success of the Raptors Foundation and the Leafs Fund, the MLSE Team Up Foundation will combine the philanthropic activities of all four MLSE-owned teams — the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Marlies — into one organization committed to making an even greater difference for disadvantaged youth across Ontario.The MLSE Team Up Foundation helps disadvantaged youth in priority neighbourhoods. By giving, building, teaching and growing, everyone wins. “Being leaders in our community is one of our core values at MLSE. Our vision is for a city where kids are more active, healthier and have the ability to participate in sports and in turn help foster their development as future leaders,” said Richard Peddie, president and chief executive officer, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

The MLSE Team Up Foundation’s mandate is to BUILD by restoring and refurbishing community and recreational facilities in Ontario, as well as to GIVE resources to other charitable organizations in the Province that administer programs supporting disadvantaged youth. Through these activities, it will provide community leaders with safe, modern facilities where they can TEACH, coach and mentor their youth and provide them with opportunities to GROW and develop.

“We have a unique situation that allows us to put the power of four professional sports teams into making a real difference in the lives of kids in our province,” said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “For close to two decades the Raptors Foundation and Leafs Fund did some amazing work, but our organization has grown (to include two more teams) and the city’s needs have evolved and we feel this is the right move at the right time.”

It was also announced on Tuesday that Canadian Sports Hall of Famer and Lou Marsh winner Dr. Bruce Kidd will lead the Foundation. Kidd, currently the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health at the University of Toronto, will lead the foundation on a volunteer basis.

“I consider myself lucky to have lived a life in sport and over the years I have seen time and time again how sport can make a difference in the lives of all Canadians regardless of your socio-economic background,” said Kidd.

“We will raise the bar on our fundraising efforts, to grow the funds that can be devoted to facility renewal and grants. And we will say to everyone—the teams' loyal fans, players, governments, other foundations and agencies—that the status quo is unacceptable. It is simply not good enough for so many children and youth to go without safe places to learn and play.”

Dr. Kidd will report to a volunteer board that includes General Rick Hillier, former chief of defence staff, Aris Kaplanis, who will serve as vice chair of the Team Up Foundation, Joe Halstead, former Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Joel Rose, partner, Aird and Berlis, LLP, Vijay Kanwar, president, KMH Cardiology and Diagnostic Centres and Leafs Legend Wendel Clark. Maple Leafs Hall of Famer, Darryl Sittler will join the board in 2010. Former Raptors Foundation chairman, The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, will serve as Chair Emeritus.

In the last 15 years, the Leafs Fund and Raptors Foundation have raised close to $30 million for disadvantaged kids. Over the past four years alone, MLSE has invested approximately $1.6 million in building and refurbishing 13 rinks, six courts and three soccer pitches through its legacy program.

The Team Up Foundation will be at work Tuesday, December 8 at the Ramsden Park rink in Toronto. The refurbishment, funded by the MLSE Team Up Foundation and Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation department, will include the installation of new rink boards, renovated dressing rooms, new benches and a fresh coat of paint for many areas of the facility.

For more information, visit http://www.mlseteamupfoundation.org/.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Slaney and Scott Recalled

2009-12-02T08:44:00.001-05:00

December 1, 2009
Marlies Host Abbotsford Heat Tonight at Ricoh Coliseum

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that forwards Robert Slaney and Greg Scott have been recalled to the Marlies from assignment to the Reading Royals.

Slaney, 21, appeared in four games with the Royals, totaling one assist and two penalty minutes. The 6’2, 203-pound forward skated in 11 games with the Marlies this season, registering three assists and seven penalty minutes. The Upper Island Cove, NF native made his American Hockey League debut on October 16 at Rochester.

Scott, 21, recorded one goal and two penalty minutes in four games with Reading. The 6’0, 188-pound forward played in 14 games with the Marlies this season and collected one assist and 15 penalty minutes. He made his AHL debut in the Marlies home opener on October 4 versus Hamilton.

The Marlies finish their six game homestand tonight at 7:00 p.m. against the Abbotsford Heat, AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, at Ricoh Coliseum. Fans can listen to all Toronto Marlies regular season games on THE FAN 590 or fan590.com. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and priority seating, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Make Roster Changes

2009-11-24T16:39:00.000-05:00

November 24, 2009
Marlies Take on Monsters Tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. at Ricoh Coliseum

Jeff Jackson, general manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has reassigned forwards Robert Slaney and Greg Scott to their ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals. Additionally, the Marlies signed Adam Munro to a professional try-out contract.

Slaney, 21, skated in 11 games with the Marlies this season, totaling three assists and seven penalty minutes. The Upper Island Cove, NF native made his American Hockey League debut on October 16 at Rochester.

Scott, 21, played in 14 games and collected one assist and 15 penalty minutes. The 6’0, 188-pound forward made his AHL debut in the Marlies home opener on October 4 versus Hamilton.

Munro, 27, appeared in five games with the Marlies this season, compiling a record of 1-2-1 with a 2.71 goals-against average and 0.919 save percentage.

The Marlies continue their six game homestand on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in their first School Day game of the season against the Lake Erie Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, at Ricoh Coliseum. Fans can listen to all Toronto Marlies regular season games on THE FAN 590 or fan590.com. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and priority seating, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Foster Wins AHL Player of the Week Honours

2009-11-24T10:53:00.000-05:00

November 23, 2009
Foster Pots Five Goals in Three Games Over the Weekend

The American Hockey League announced today that Toronto Marlies forward Alex Foster has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 22. In three games over the weekend, Foster notched five goals and one assist for six points while recording a plus-two rating.

Foster, 25, returned to the Marlies line-up on Friday night after missing the previous 10 games and scored two goals in Toronto’s 7-1 victory over the Lake Erie Monsters. The next day against Grand Rapids, the Canton, MI native notched two, third period goals in the Marlies 6-3 loss. Foster extended his goal scoring streak on Sunday afternoon with his fifth goal of the weekend in Toronto’s 3-2 shootout victory over the Monsters.

In recognition of his achievement, Foster will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Marlies home game.

Foster, the Marlies all-time games played leader at 220 games, ranks fourth on the club with six goals despite only skating in eight games so far this season.

The Marlies are back in action on Wednesday morning when they host the Lake Erie Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, in their first school day game of the season at 11:00 a.m. at Ricoh Coliseum. Fans can listen to all Toronto Marlies regular season games on THE FAN 590 or fan590.com. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Reimer Paves Way For Win As Marlies Slay Monsters at Ricoh

2009-11-23T09:35:00.001-05:00

November 22, 2009
Marlies Erase Two-Goal Deficit, Drop Monsters 3-2 in Shootout
Foster Nets Fifth Goal in Past Three Games To Propel Marlies Past Lake Erie

(TORONTO) – The Marlies used two early third period goals to tie the game, and got strong goaltending from James Reimer to down the Lake Erie Monsters, 3-2, in a shootout on Sunday afternoon.

Reimer came into the game sporting a sizzling 0.950 save percentage and 1.46 goals-against average over his past three starts. Reimer finished tonight’s game with 30 saves and was named the game’s first star, making plenty of huge saves to keep Toronto in the game.

“It was a great team effort from us tonight,” Reimer said after the game. “The guys in front of me were great tonight and helped clear the front of the net.”

After a scoreless first period, the Monsters got second period goals from Chris Durno and Brian Willsie to put them ahead 2-0.
The Marlies second period continued to be a problem, as they’ve now been out-scored 30-10 this season in the middle frame.

Toronto ignored their record of 1-7-0-0 when trailing after two periods this season as Alex Foster scored his fifth goal in the past three games to put the Marlies on the board, 2-1. Christian Hanson and Juraj Mikus both picked up assists on Foster’s power play tally.

Just over a minute later, Jiri Tlusty beat Monsters starting goaltender Tyler Weiman to knot the game at 2-2. Foster picked up his second point of the game by adding an assist on Tlusty’s seventh of the season.

In overtime, Reimer came up huge, stopping Matt Clarke on a breakaway with only seconds remaining.

The Marlies first two shooters, Tlusty and Viktor Stalberg, both scored in the shootout and Reimer didn’t allow a goal on four Monster shooters.

The Marlies improved their record to 3-0-0-0 against the Monsters this season.

Toronto and Lake Erie will meet again on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. at Ricoh Coliseum in the Marlies first school day game of the season.
SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Griffins Dismiss Marlies

2009-11-22T10:10:00.000-05:00

November 21, 2009
Marlies Return Home, Suffer 6-3 loss
Griffins three power-play goals sink Marlies

(TORONTO) – Jeremy Williams’ three point game led the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 6-3 win over the Toronto Marlies on Saturday afternoon. The Marlies made a push late in the third, but it was too late as they suffered their seventh loss of the season in front of 4,126 fans at Ricoh Coliseum.

The Griffins jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 11:41 of the first period. Jakub Kindl fed Evan McGrath at the top of the circle where he beat a screened Joey MacDonald for his fourth of the season.

With only 22 seconds remaining in the first period, Jay Rosehill netted his first goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Rosehill redirected Brett Festerling’s wrist shot from the blue line. Daryl Boyce also picked an assist on the goal. Festerling has notched a point in both Marlie games he’s played in this season.

Grand Rapids scored three, second period goals to put them ahead 4-1 at the second intermission. Williams, the Marlies all-time goal scoring leader, netted a goal and two assists during the middle frame.

Toronto has had their fair share of problems in the second period, as they have been outscored 28-9 so far this season.

Alex Foster made the game 5-2 when he beat Griffins netminder Daniel Larsson. He fired a slap shot from the point for his fifth of the season, and fourth in the last two games. Juraj Mikus and Viktor Stalberg picked up the assists on the tally.

Foster netted his second of the period to make it 5-3, but it wasn’t enough as the Griffins added an empty net goal to make it 6-3.
Kindl finished the night with three assists for Grand Rapids.

The Marlies look to rebound tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Lake Erie Monsters at 4:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum.

ICE CHIPS: The attendance of 4, 126 was the second largest crowd of the season...Foster’s two goal night gives him two multi point games this year...Marlies assistant coach Derek King played four seasons in Grand Rapids...In the previous eight games, the Marlies had only allowed two power-play goals, tonight they allowed three...New addition Brett Festerling is currently riding a two game point streak..

SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
1. GRA McGrath (4) (Kindl) 11:41
1. TOR Rosehill (1) (Festerling, Boyce) 19:38

Second Period
2. GRA McGrath (5) (Kindl, Williams) 3:52 PP
3. GRA Williams (9) (Tatar, Rissmiller) 11:52 PP
4. GRA Ritola (4) (Williams, Crosty) 13:50

Third Period
5. GRA Tardif (6) (Tatar, Rissmiller) 5:51 PP
2. TOR Foster (4) (Mikus, Stalberg) 8:15 PP
3. TOR Foster (5) (Stalberg, Frogren) 15:15
6. GRA Tatar (2) (Kindl) 18:07 EN

Three Stars
1. GRA McGrath
2.GRA Williams
3.GRA Kindl

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Slay Monsters

2009-11-22T10:08:00.000-05:00

November 20, 2009
Hanson Records Hat Trick In Final Game Of Road Trip

(CLEVELAND, OH) – Two weeks ago Christian Hanson recorded a three point game in Cleveland as the Marlies opened their six game road trip. Looking for their first win since that outing, Hanson turned it up another notch.

Hanson recorded a hat trick and added an assist as the Marlies swamped the Lake Erie Monsters by a 7-1 score on Friday night at the Quicken Loans Arena.

Alex Foster also had two goals, while Ryan Hamilton and Viktor Stalberg added the others. Jiri Tlusty and Tyler Bozak both chipped in with three assists each, as Toronto closed out their road trip with a 2-3-0-1 record.

Marty Sertich had the lone Lake Erie goal.

Hamilton opened the scoring with a shorthanded breakaway goal, as he slipped the puck past Trevor Cann just over four minutes into the game. Toronto added to their lead later in the period with a pair of power play goals from Hanson and Stalberg less than two minutes apart, with the first one coming on a two man advantage. Toronto held a 3-0 lead and 13-1 shot advantage after the opening period.

The Monsters would get on the board early in the second period when Sertich deflected a Matt Clarke point shot past James Reimer to make it a 3-1 game. 1:14 later, Foster scored to make it a 4-2 game.

With less than six minutes to go in the third period, and the Monsters on the power play, Lake Erie pulled Cann for an extra attacker in an effort to score, but Hanson would break up a pass in the neutral zone and slide the puck into the empty net for the 5-1 lead. Foster made it 6-1 when he banged in a Stalberg rebound, after a break to the net. Hanson completed the hat trick when his pass from the side of the net banked off a Monster skate in front for the 7-1 score.

Reimer made 21 saves for the win, while the Marlies power play was 2 for 7 while the penalty kill was 6 for 6 with two shorthanded goals.

Toronto returns home for a date with the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday at 4pm.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Drop Game Against Phantoms

2009-11-20T17:00:00.000-05:00

November 18, 2009

Toronto Can't Beat Backlund In Glens Falls

(GLENS FALLS, NY) - Call it a wash if you will, after the Marlies have Phantoms have now exchanged shutout victories on home ice.

Johan Backlund made 25 saves as the Marlies were shutout 2-0 by the Adirondack Phantoms at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Wednesday night.

Jonathon Matsumoto and Matt Clackson had the goals for the Phantoms in the victory.
Joey MacDonald stopped 19 shots in the loss.

The Phantoms scored the opening goal of the game just over two minutes into the first period and that goal stood for a long time. It wasn't until late in the second when Clackson jumped on a rebound in the slot to bang it past MacDonald to make it 2-0.

Toronto had several scoring chances including a 5 on 3 advantage in the third period. With just over three minutes remaining in the third period, the Marlies went to the power play for the eighth time in the game, and pulled MacDonald for the extra attacker for the remainder of the game, but were unable to find the back of the net.

The Marlies wrap up their current six game road trip on Friday night in Cleveland against the Lake Erie Monsters.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Add Three to Roster

2009-11-20T16:59:00.001-05:00

November 18, 2009

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has acquired forwards Matt Beleskey and Troy Bodie and defenceman Brett Festerling from loan from the Anaheim Ducks.

All three players were previously playing for the San Antonio Rampage and are expected to make their Marlie debuts on Friday night in Cleveland against the Lake Erie Monsters.
The Marlies play the Adirondack Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Fans can listen to all Toronto Marlies regular season games on THE FAN 590 or fan590.com. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit http://www.blogger.com/ or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Leafs Make Pitch for Winter Classic, All-Star, and Entry Draft Rights

2009-11-10T22:17:00.003-05:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the market for two or even three memorable events in 2011 or 2112.

"We were asked about the order of our priorities,” Maple Leafs CEO Richard Peddie said in an interview. “ We see it as an outdoor game first, an all-star game second and an entry draft third.”

Peddie said the new emphasis on landing big events was built around facility overhauls. Included in those are a hotel and sports bar at Maple Leafs Square, the gargantuan video screen already up and running at Air Canada Centre and the changeover from artificial turf to natural grass at BMO Field.

“Without the bubble that was in use through the winter at BMO Field we were free to host an outdoor game,” he said. “We think we are the right city for the event with the right fan base.”

There have been two outdoor NHL games, one in Edmonton and one in Chicago. Another contest is set for this winter at Fenway Park in Boston. Not only does it offer a stunning backdrop, BMO Field boasts an abundance of outbuildings that would make the event more comfortable for fans.

“We think an outdoor game would be special, so Canadian, almost like playing on a pond,” Peddie said. “It would put the Toronto Maple Leafs on the map in a way no other event could.”

Peddie said that MLSE is in the process of formally applying for the events. Once the home of the NHL draft, Toronto hasn’t hosted the event since 2002. The city has not welcomed fans to an all-star game since 2000.

Maple Leafs officials Tuesday guided NHL president Gary Bettman through improvements at Air Canada Centre including the Bremner Street atrium, the new television studio, new high definition screens that line concourses and public areas at Air Canada Centre as well as the Leafs’ practice site, the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence. “

Gary’s remark was that it was very impressive, very visionary,” Peddie said.

Peddie said he expected to hear word about one or two of the applications within the next couple weeks. News on the outdoor game, he said, would take longer.

SOURCE: mapleleafs.com

Amerks End Marlies Streak

2009-11-10T22:15:00.001-05:00

November 7, 2009
Rochester Wins 10th Straight Game In Victory Over Toronto

(ROCHESTER, NY) - The Americans are off to their best start since 1996, and they just keep on rolling.

David Brine scored his first of two goals just 16 seconds apart from Mike Duco's goal in the second period, as the Marlies dropped a 4-1 decision to the Americans in Rochester on Saturday night.

Ernie Hartlieb had the other goal for Rochester, while Todd Perry scored his first goal of the season for the Marlies.

Perry scored less than two minutes into the game when his point shot deflected off a Rochester stick and over the arm of Alexander Salak for the 1-0 lead. Hartlieb tied the game on a 2 on 1 six minutes later when he took a pass from Clay Wilson, and snapped a shot over the shoulder of Joey MacDonald and under the crossbar to make it 1-1.

The turning point of the game came in the second period though after Duco scored a power play goal, when he found a loose puck at the side of the net beside MacDonald and was able to tuck it into the wide open goal for the 2-1 lead. 16 seconds later, Brine raced down the left wing and snapped a shot over the shoulder of MacDonald to make it 3-1. Dallas Eakins called a timeout to try and settle the troops down, and it did break the momentum of the Americans for a while.
The close game continued late into the third period before Brine sent a high clearing shot from centre ice that bounced into the empty net to seal the game and make it 4-1.

Salak made 23 saves for the win, which was the 10th straight victory for Rochester, just one shy of the franchise mark of 11 set back in 1995-96. MacDonald stopped 26 in the loss for Toronto. It also marked the first time in seven games that Mike Zigomanis did not record a point since joining the Marlies.

Toronto is off until Friday night when they kick-off a two game set in Winnipeg against the Manitoba Moose.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Mash the Monsters

2009-11-10T22:12:00.001-05:00

November 6, 2009
Hanson Records Three Point Game As Marlies Win Third Straight To Open Road Trip

(CLEVELAND, OH) – With six straight games on the road, the Marlies got things off to a good start in Cleveland.

Ryan Hamilton had the game winner into an empty net as Toronto scored a 3-2 win over the Lake Erie Monsters on Friday night. Christian Hanson and Viktor Stalberg had the other Toronto goals, while Brock Bradford and Ryan Stoa had the markers for the Monsters.

While the first period was scoreless, it was tough for either team to find any momentum with 14 minutes of penalties, including back to back delay of game penalties against Toronto for clearing the puck over the glass, which resulted on nearly a full two minute 5-on-3 advantage.

Lake Erie opened the scoring in the second period on a goal by Bradford midway through the first period. Six minutes later, Hanson scored his fifth goal of the season when he redirected a Stalberg shot through the pads of Tyler Weiman to make it a 1-1 game. Stalberg then put the Marlies up 2-1 in the third on a deflection of his own, off a shot by Ben Ondrus. Hamilton added an empty net goal with just over a minute to go in the third period, but the Monsters managed to cut the lead with 14 seconds left in the third, as Stoa tapped in a rebound off the outstretched leg of James Reimer.

Stalberg and Hanson both had a two point night, while Mike Zigomanis extended his point streak to six games with a pair of assists. Zigomanis now has 12 points in the six straight games he’s played since joining the Marlies.

Reimer made 26 saves for the win, while Weiman stopped 26 shots in the loss.

Toronto was 0 for 3 on the power play, but a perfect 7 for 7 on the penalty kill.

The Marlies continue their road trip in Rochester on Saturday night against the Americans. Puck drop is 7:00pm.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Loan Engelage to Reading

2009-11-03T08:42:00.001-05:00

November 2, 2009
Marlies Take on the Lake Erie Monsters on Friday Night
Jeff Jackson, general manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has loaned goaltender Andrew Engelage to their ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals.

Engelage, 21, made his first career AHL start for the Marlies on October 16 in a 5-2 loss in Rochester against the Americans. Last season, the Oshawa, Ontario native helped guide the Windsor Spitfires to a Memorial Cup Championship with a record of 46-4-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and 0.914 save percentage. In 20 postseason games, the 6’5, 206-pound goaltender registered a 2.86 goals-against average and 0.908 save percentage.

The Marlies begin their six game road trip on Friday night when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Lake Erie Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, at the Quicken Loans Arena at 7:30 p.m. Fans can listen to all Toronto Marlies regular season games on THE FAN 590 or fan590.com. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and priority seating, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies March Over Penguins

2009-11-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

Stalberg’s four point night gives Marlies fifth win of the season.

(TORONTO)- A four point night from Viktor Stalberg helped the Marlies get past the W-B/Scranton Penguins by a score of 4-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Christian Hanson’s second goal of the night held up as the game winner as the Marlies recorded their fifth win of the season in front of 2,768 fans at Ricoh Coliseum.

After the Penguins took a pair of penalties in the first period, the line of Stalberg, Mike Zigomanis and Hanson connected on the power-play to put the Marlies ahead 1-0.

Hanson parked himself in front of the Penguins net, hopped on a rebound and banged in his fourth goal of the season. Zigomanis and Stalberg each picked up an assist on the power-play marker.

James Reimer starting in his third game of the season made several key saves to keep the Penguins off the score sheet in the first.

The Penguins tied the game at 6:40 of the second period. Penguins’ defenseman Ben Lovejoy threw the puck on net where Tim Wallace tipped it past the Marlies netminder.

Toronto responded shortly after when Stalberg buried his first career AHL goal to make it 2-1. Zigomanis sent Stalberg in all alone on a breakaway and Stalberg fired it past Thiessen’s right shoulder to give the Marlies the lead. Juraj Mikus collected the second assist on the goal.

Zigomanis is currently riding a five game point streak. In four of the past five games he has recorded multi point nights. He’s notched 10 assists in five games since joining the Marlies.

The Penguins tied the game late in the second period on a goal by Ryan Bayda.

With under five minutes remaining in the third period, Hanson scored his second of the night to give Toronto the 3-2 lead.
Stalberg’s burst of speed down the left hand side started the play and then passed it to Hanson who was wide open in front of the Penguins goal.

Stalberg added an empty net goal for his second of the evening. He was named the game’s first star, registering four points on the night (two goals, two assists).

Hanson's two-goal performance ties him with Mike Zigomanis for the team high with 10 points each.

Stalberg has recorded five points in two games with the Marlies since being reassigned by the Maple Leafs on Thursday afternoon.

The loss was the Penguins first regulation defeat in their past six games.

The Marlies hit the road for a six game road trip which begins in Cleveland when they take on the Lake Erie Monsters on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Quicken Loans Arena.

ICE CHIPS: Since being reassigned by the Maple Leafs, Stalberg has registered five points in two games...Zigomanis has recorded an assist in every game since joining the Marlies...The Marlies broke an 0-for-11 goal-less streak on the power play...Stalberg’s four point night is a 2009 Marlies season high...Mikus has notched a point in back-to-back games for Toronto...The Marlies were out-shot in the game 36-28.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period
1. TOR Hanson (3) (Zigomanis, Stalberg) 12:19 PP

Second Period
1. W-B/S Wallace (3) (Lovejoy, Smith) 6:40
2. TOR Stalberg (1) (Zigomanis, Mikus) 12:52
2. W-B/S Bayda (6) (Jeffrey) 17:01

Third Period
3. TOR Hanson (4) (Stalberg, Zigomanis) 14:02
4. TOR Stalberg (2) 19:58 PP - EN

Three Stars
1. TOR Victor Stalberg
2. TOR Christian Hanson
3. W-B/S Luca Caputi

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Phantoms Scoring Disappears as Marlies Blank Adirondack 3-0

2009-11-01T09:06:00.001-05:00

October 30, 2009
Marlies Shutout Phantoms 3-0 at Ricoh Coliseum
Joey MacDonald’s 19 Saves and Ryan Hamilton’s Two-Goal Night Paves Way to Victory

(TORONTO) – In his first game back after being reassigned by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Joey MacDonald recorded his first shutout of the season as he blanked the Adirondack Phantoms by a score of 3-0.

Marlies forwards Ryan Hamilton and Mike Zigomanis each had multi-point nights as they continued their strong play for the blue and white.

The Marlies opened the scoring mid-way through the first period after Hamilton notched his third goal of the season. Hamilton’s persistence paid off as he picked up his own rebound, and beat Phantoms goaltender Nic Riopel. Zigomanis tallied his first of two assists on the night on Hamilton’s goal.

Juraj Mikus gave the Marlies a 2-0 lead at 15:12 of the first period. Mikus was left all alone in front and fired a wrist shot top shelf past the Phantoms netminder. Victor Stalberg, playing in his first Toronto Marlies game this season picked up an assist on the goal. Zigomanis collected the other assist on the goal.

Zigomanis is currently riding a four game point streak, three of them being multi-point games. He’s skated in four games with the Marlies after spending the 2008-2009 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he played in 22 regular season games.

The Marlies who have been averaging 39 shots against them over their past three games managed to hold the Phantoms to only four shots in the first period, and only 19 in the game.

Both teams were held off the score sheet in the second period.

When leading after two periods, the Marlies improved their record to 3-1-1-0 on Friday night.

Hamilton picked up his second tally of the night, and his third in the last two games to put Toronto ahead 3-0 in the third period. Greg Scott feathered a pass to Hamilton in the slot and beat Riopel to record his fourth of the season.

Scott’s assist was his first career American Hockey League point. Scott led the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL in goals, assists and points last season.

Joey MacDonald was perfect on the night as he turned away all 19 shots that he faced. It was his second win, in his second game of the season and was also named the game’s third star.

The Marlies are back in action this Sunday at Ricoh Coliseum at 4:00 p.m. when they take on the W-B/Scranton Penguins.

ICE CHIPS: Phil Oreskovic and Todd Perry played their first game at forward this season...Adirondack Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert was the Toronto Marlies head coach for the last three seasons...Attendance for the game was 2,386....The Marlies power play went 0-for-6....Perry collected his first point (assist) of the season on Hamilton’s second goal of the night.

SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
1. R. Hamilton (3) 7:02
2. J. Mikus (2) (Stalberg, Zigomanis) 15:12

Second Period
No Scoring

Third Period
3. R.Hamilton (4) (Scott, Perry) 10:29

Three Stars
1. Hamilton (TOR)
2. Zigomanis (TOR)
3. MacDonald (TOR)

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Ink Munro to PTO

2009-10-16T12:27:00.000-04:00

October 15, 2009
Marlies Host Americans this Saturday Afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has signed goaltender Adam Munro to a professional try-out contract.

Munro, 26, appeared in 26 games for the Marlies during the 2008-09 season, compiling a record of 12-11-2 with a 2.42 goals against average and 0.913 save percentage. The St. George, Ontario native also started Game Six for the Marlies during the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs. He has appeared in 121 career AHL games with Norfolk, Syracuse and Toronto.

Munro was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, 29th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

The Marlies make their first road trip of the season this Friday night when they take on the Rochester Americans, AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, at 7:05 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena. Toronto returns to Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday at 3 p.m. to play the Americans in the second half of their home-to-home matchup. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Drop First Game

2009-10-12T08:24:00.002-04:00

October 11, 2009
Marlies Lose First Game of the Season to Rockford
Tlusty’s Two Goals Not Enough In Toronto’s 5-3 Loss to IceHogs

(TORONTO) – The Toronto Marlies dropped their first game of the season to the Rockford IceHogs, 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum.

The Marlies dominated the play early in the first period, but Akim Aliu scored on Rockford’s first shot of the game four minutes into the first frame. Aliu, a former London Knight, broke in on James Reimer and roofed the puck past him to open the scoring.

Jonas Frogren tied the game at 1-1 with a wrist shot from the slot that beat IceHogs starting goalie Joe Fallon. Alex Foster and Ryan Hamilton each collected assists on the play. Foster’s point was his 100th as a member of the Marlies.

Jiri Tlusty put the Marlies ahead 2-1 on the power play with his second of the season. Tyler Bozak fed a cross-ice pass to Tlusty who went top shelf on Fallon. Juraj Mikus collected the other assist on the play.

Daryl Boyle knotted the game at 2-2 with a snapshot that fooled Reimer just moments after Frogren landed a hard, open-ice hit on Jake Dowell.

Rockford added three more goals to close out the second period to take a 5-2 lead into the second intermission.

The Marlies opened the third period on a 5-on-3 advantage but weren’t able to capitalize on the opportunity.

Tlusty added his second goal of the night with six minutes left in the third period. Tlusty’s goal was his third in the past two games.

Toronto’s power play went 1-for-8 on the afternoon.

The Marlies will play their next four of five games on the road, beginning on Friday night in Rochester . Toronto returns home next Saturday to play the Americans at Ricoh Coliseum at 3:00 p.m.

ICE CHIPS: Tyler Bozak registered his first career AHL point (assist) on Sunday afternoon…Richard Petiot returned to Toronto for the first time since playing for the Marlies last season…Phil Oreskovic played his first game of the season after being a healthy scratch for the first two games…The Marlies have never beat the Rockford IceHogs in their team history (0-5-0-0).

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period
1. RFD Aliu (1) (unassisted) 4:09
1. TOR Frogren (1) (Hamilton, Foster) 13:26
2. TOR Tlusty (2) (Bozak, Mikus) 16:46 PP

Second Period
2. RFD Boyle (1) (Dowell) 2:52
3. RFD Klinkhammer (1) (Brennan, Kearns ) 4:21
4. RFD Ewing (1) (Cullen, MacArthur) 15:36 PP
5. RFD Dowell (1) (unassisted) 15:36 SH

Third Period
3. TOR Tlusty 2 (3) (Oreskovic, Deveaux) 14:08
Shots

TOR RFD
29 26

THREE STARS

1. RFD: Dowell
2. TOR: Tlusty
3. RFD: MacArthur

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

2009-10-11T08:45:00.001-04:00

October 10, 2009
Marlies Win First Two Games at Home to Open Season

Marlies Score Late in the Third to beat Griffins(TORONTO) – The Toronto Marlies used a late third period goal from Andre Deveaux to beat the Grand Rapids Griffins, 3-2 on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,786 fans at Ricoh Coliseum.

The Toronto Marlies used a late third period goal from Andre Deveaux to beat the Grand Rapids Griffins, 3-2 on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,786 fans at Ricoh Coliseum. Former Marlies forward Jeremy Williams scored the game’s opening goal 13 minutes into the first period to make it 1-0. Williams broke down the right wing and fired a puck past Marlies starting goalie James Reimer on his blocker-side. The goal was Williams’ 100th as a professional.

Doug Janik made it 2-0 with a shot from the point with under a second remaining in the opening frame.

Jiri Tlusty took advantage of a Marlies power play, scoring his first of the season and cutting the lead to 2-1. Tlusty was left wide-open in front of Grand Rapids starting goalie Daniel Larsson and connected for Toronto’s first power play goal of the year. Carl Gunnarsson and Christian Hanson both picked up their first career AHL points on Tlusty’s goal.

Juraj Mikus scored his first career AHL goal to tie the game at 2-2 with 19 seconds left in the second period. Mikus fired a shot from the point that beat a screened Larsson. Hanson and Brendan Mikkelson collected assists on the play. Mikkelson’s assist was his first point as a member of the Marlies.

The Marlies had a chance on a 5-on-3 power play to take the lead, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity mid-way through the third period.

After controlling play for much of the third period, James Reimer was called into action with four minutes left to play, making several big saves in the closing minutes of the game to keep the Marlies in it.

During the final eight minutes of the game, the Marlies were outshot 11-2 by the Griffins but were able to capitalize on one of the few chances they were able to generate late in the third period. Driving down the left wing, Jiri Tlusty slid a pass across the goal-mouth where it was tipped in by Andre Deveaux streaking down the centre of the ice with just under 30 seconds left to play.The Marlies finish their three-game homestand when they host the Rockford IceHogs tomorrow afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum with puck-drop scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

ICE CHIPS: Kris Newbury and Jeremy Williams returned to Ricoh Coliseum for the first time since joining the Griffins during the offseason…Newbury is the Marlies all-time points leader (168) and Williams is the clubs all-time goals leader (74)…James Reimer made his first start of the season…Dale Mitchell started for Toronto, which was his first regular season game as a Marlie…Tlusty and Hanson each had two point games.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

1. GRA Williams (1) (unassisted) 13:35

2. GRA Janik (1) (Ritola) 19:59

Second Period

1. TOR Tlusty (1) (Gunnarsson, Hanson) 11:28 PP

2. TOR Mikus (1) (Hanson, Mikkelson) 19:41

Third Period

3. TOR Deveaux (1) (Tlusty) 19:24ShotsTOR: 33 GRA: 29

THREE STARS

1. TOR: Deveaux

2. TOR: Tlusty

3. TOR: Mikus

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Recall Engelage

2009-10-08T17:32:00.000-04:00

October 8, 2009
Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has recalled goaltender Andrew Engelage from the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

Engelage, 20, appeared in one preseason game with the Marlies, making 13 saves on 14 shots against the Hamilton Bulldogs on September 30. Engelage played in 54 games with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2008-09 season earning a record of 46-4-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and 0.914 save percentage. The 6’5, 206-pound goalie helped guide the Spitfires to a Memorial Cup Championship with a 14-2-1 record during the playoffs.

The Marlies host the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, this Saturday at Ricoh Coliseum at 3:00 p.m. Toronto finishes their three-game homestand on Sunday with a tilt against the Rockford IceHogs, AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, at 4:00 p.m. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Leafs Recall MacDonald

2009-10-08T17:31:00.000-04:00

October 8, 2009
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday morning that goaltender Joey MacDonald has joined the team on an Emergency Recall from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Jonas Gustavsson was placed on Injured Reserve and is expected to miss at least one week with a groin injury.

MacDonald earned the 3-2 win by making 32 saves in the Marlies’ season opener against the Hamilton Bulldogs Sunday afternoon. He joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent August 10, 2009. He has previous NHL experience with the Red Wings, Bruins and Islanders.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Open Season With 3-2 Win in OT

2009-10-04T21:44:00.000-04:00

October 4, 2009
Marlies Down Dogs
Marlies Begin Season With Thrilling Shootout Victory

(TORONTO) – The Toronto Marlies kicked off the 2009-10 season with a comeback victory over their division rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs, 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in front of 4,362 fans at Ricoh Coliseum. The Toronto Marlies kicked off the 2009-10 season with a comeback victory over their division rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs, 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in front of 4,362 fans at Ricoh Coliseum.

After dropping three preseason games to the Bulldogs, the Marlies were able to defeat Hamilton when it mattered the most to begin their season.

The first period started with a tremendous stick save by Marlies netminder Joey MacDonald. Bulldogs forward J.T. Wyman received a cross-ice pass and fired it on goal, but MacDonald slid across his crease and made the save with his stick.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring late in the first period on a goal by Wyman, but the Marlies responded just 14 seconds later.

Kyle Rogers received a pass from Alex Berry and fired a shot past Bulldogs starting goalie Curtis Sanford to tie the game at 1-1. Darryl Boyce picked up the second assist on the play.
Hamilton took advantage of a 4-on-3 opportunity when Brock Trotter roofed a wrist shot past MacDonald mid-way through the second period.

MacDonald made a blocker save on a Shawn Belle breakaway 10 seconds after the Trotter goal to keep the game at 2-1.

Ben Ondrus tied the game at 2-2 when he tipped a shot from Alex Berry past Sanford at the 12 minute mark of the third period. Brennan Evans picked up the other assist on the play, his first point in a Marlies uniform.

An exciting, but scoreless overtime put the game into a shootout where Jiri Tlusty opened the scoring, roofing the puck over Bulldogs’ goalie Curtis Sanford. Foster finished the game in the fifth round with a wrist shot.

MacDonald was named the game’s second star for his game-changing saves.
The Marlies host the Grand Rapids Griffins this Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum with puck drop scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

ICE CHIPS: Nine players made their Marlies debut on Sunday afternoon…Alex Foster and Brennan Evans were the two assistant captains; Ben Ondrus began his third season as the captain…Montreal Canadiens prospect, P.K. Subban made his AHL debut for the Bulldogs…The Marlies hosted ‘Hockey For All’ during the game, which fans had the chance to meet and greet with Leafs alumni and skate on the ice after the game.

SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
1. HAM J. Wyman (1) (Conboy, Lacroix) 16.22
1. TOR K. Rogers (1) (Berry, Boyce) 16:38

Second Period
2. HAM Trotter (1) (Benoit, Carle) 12:30 PP

Third Period
2. TOR Ondrus (1) (Berry, Evans) 12:11

Overtime
No Scoring

Shootout Winner
3. Foster (TOR)

Shots
TOR HAM
30 34

THREE STARS
1. TOR: Foster
2. TOR: MacDonald
3. HAM: Wyman

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

2009-2010 Marlies Roster Announced

2009-10-03T10:28:00.000-04:00

October 2, 2009
Marlies Open Season at Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday Afternoon
A proud member of the American Hockey League, the Toronto Marlies released their 2009-10 opening day roster. The Marlies, who will begin their fifth season in Toronto, open with 22 skaters and two goaltenders.

The Marlies 2009-10 roster consists of goaltenders Joey MacDonald and James Reimer; defenceman Brendan Mikkelson, Phil Oreskovic, Josh Engel, Todd Perry, Carl Gunnarsson, Brennan Evans, Jonas Frogren and Juraj Mikus; and forwards Darryl Boyce, Jiri Tlusty, Ryan Hamilton, Andre Deveaux, Robert Slaney, Richard Greenop, Greg Scott, Christian Hanson, Tyler Bozak, Alex Foster, Ben Ondrus, Alex Berry, Dale Mitchell and Kyle Rogers.

In addition, the club announced that Stefano Giliati, Andrew Engelage, Eric Werner and Joe Ryan have all been reassigned to the Reading Royals for the ECHL and Mikhail Stefanovich has also been assigned to the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL).

Beau Erickson and Tom Galvin have both been released from their try-out contracts.
The Marlies open the 2009-10 regular season on Sunday, October 4 against their division-rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs at 4 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK. For the full 2009-10 schedule please visit the Marlies official website.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Blanked in Oshawa

2009-10-01T08:54:00.000-04:00

September 30, 2009
(OSHAWA, ON) – The auditions are over and the real season is ready to get underway, after a pre-season tilt in Oshawa with the Marlies and Bulldogs on Wednesday night.

P.K. Subban , Mathieu Darche and Mike Glumac scored for Hamilton.

Curtis Sanford went the distance for a 29 save shutout.

Subban opened the scoring in the first period, when he was able to get away a shot from the slot, under the leg of Reimer.

James Reimer was replaced by Andrew Engelage midway through the game.
With 8 minutes remaining in the third, Mathieu Darche broke in alone on Engelage and tried the deke. Engelage made the first stop, but Darche wable to tuck the puck under his pad for the 2-0 lead. Glumac added an empty net goal with two minutes left to ice the game.

The Marlies were held to just one goal in the three pre-season games they faced Hamilton.
Toronto opens its fifth season at Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday afternoon against the Bulldogs at 4pm

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Leafs Trim Roster By 4

2009-09-28T08:40:00.001-04:00

Sunday, 27.09.2009 / 1:07 PM / Press Releases
Toronto Maple Leafs
Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Sunday that the hockey club has reduced their training camp roster by four players. The Leafs have returned forward Nazem Kadri to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, assigned forward Christian Hanson and defenceman Jonas Frogren to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, and released defenceman Andy Rogers.

Kadri played in six preseason games for the Leafs collecting three goals and two assists for five points, while earning a plus-six rating. In the preseason Hanson registered one goal and two assists in six games, Frogren recorded six penalty minutes in three games, and Rogers accumulated 25 minutes in penalties in four games.

The Toronto Marlies begin their fifth season in Toronto when they host the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and priority seating, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: mapleleafs.com

Marlies Downed In Gardiner Cup Final

2009-09-27T22:21:00.000-04:00

September 27, 2009
Marlies Lose to Bulldogs in Gardiner Cup Final

(Edinburgh, Scotland) – The Toronto Marlies fell to the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in the Gardiner Cup championship game in Edinburgh.

Toronto was fresh off a 6-1 thrashing of the hometown Capitals from Saturday, but fell behind early when Brock Trotter slid a puck past a screened James Reimer to open the scoring four minutes into the game.

The Marlies had a 5-on-3 to close out the first period but weren’t able to get the puck past Bulldogs starting goalie Cedrick Desjardins.

The Bulldogs extended their lead in the second period when Andre Benoit netted a goal on a slapshot while Hamilton was on a two-man advantage.

The Marlies got on the board when Dale Mitchell took a slapshot that beat Desjardins five-hole in the second period, cutting Hamilton’s lead to 2-1. Stefano Giliati started the play with a spin-a-rama pass to Mitchell who broke into the Bulldogs zone and fired a shot between the legs of the Bulldogs netminder.

Trotter notched his second goal of the game late in the second period to give Hamilton a 3-1 lead at the second intermission.

The Marlies best chance of the third period came when Joe Ryan hit the post mid-way through the third frame.

Despite pulling their goalie with over two minutes remaining in regulation, the Marlies weren’t able to beat Desjardins and the Bulldogs again, dropping the final game 3-1.
Giliati was named the Marlies player of the game.

The Marlies are back in action on Wednesday night in Oshawa at the General Motors Centre against the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Down Capitals in Gardiner Cup Play

2009-09-27T22:20:00.001-04:00

September 26, 2009

Marlies Thump the Edinburgh Capitals, 6-1 on Saturday afternoon

(Edinburgh, Scotland) – The Toronto Marlies easily defeated the Edinburgh Capitals 6-1 on Saturday afternoon and will now advance to the finals on Sunday for the Gardiner Cup.

The Capitals started the game strong; breaking in on Marlies starting goalie Beau Erickson 10 seconds into the game but weren’t able to get the puck past him.

After failing on two consecutive power plays in the first period, including a 5-on-3 advantage, Alex Berry was able to beat Capitals starting netminder Cody Rudkowsky. Berry took a Phil Oreskovic pass and snapped it by Rudkowsky to score the Marlies’ first goal of the preseason.

Andre Deveaux and Ryan Hamilton capitalized on a 2-on-1 late in the first period to give the Marlies a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.

Ben Ondrus opened the second period with slap shot that beat Rudkowsky on his glove hand side. Hamilton and Richard Greenop both assisted on Ondrus’ goal.

Alex Foster finished a beautiful tic-tac-toe play mid-way through the second period to put Toronto ahead 4-0. Hamilton broke into the Capitals zone, passed the puck cross ice to Deveaux who found Foster wide open on the other side of the net.

Edinburgh forward Simon Lambert ended Erickson’s shutout on a breakaway late in the second period.

The Marlies dominated the play in the first and second periods; out-shooting their opponents 30-10.

Foster and Dale Mitchell each added third period goals for the Marlies.

Hamilton finished the game with three assists and Oreskovic recorded two helpers.

The Marlies are back in action tomorrow at the Murrayfield Arena on Sunday at 12:30 pm (ET) with a tilt against the winner of the Hamilton Bulldogs / Belfast Giants game.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Bulldogs Take 1-0 Win Over Marlies in Scotland

2009-09-25T08:40:00.000-04:00

09/24/2009 5:28 PM
HAMILTON 1, TORONTO 0

The Hamilton Bulldogs opened the preseason with a 1-0 win over the Toronto Marlies on Thursday at the Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh, Scotland. J.T. Wyman’s goal at the midway point of the third period broke a 0-0 tie and proved to be the game-winner.

Following a scoreless first period, Robert Mayer replaced Hamilton starting goaltender Cedrick Desjardins halfway through the second period.

Toronto forward Dale Mitchell nearly got the Marlies on the scoreboard when Eric Werner fed a pass to Mitchell who missed an open net when he shot the puck wide. Halfway through the third period, J.T. Wyman opened the game’s scoring.

A scrum in front of the net followed a save allowing J.T. Wyman to grab the loose puck and fire a shot past Toronto goaltender James Reimer to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Desjardins and Mayer each made nine saves to split the shutout.

The Marlies begin the four-team Gardiner Cup tournament on Saturday against Edinburgh at 8:30 a.m. ET, and the Bulldogs take on the Belfast Giants at 12:30 p.m. ET.

SOURCE: theahl.com

Leafs Assign Four Players To Marlies

2009-09-23T16:38:00.001-04:00

Tuesday, 22.09.2009 / 4:12 PM

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the hockey club has assigned forwards Andre Deveaux, Alex Foster, Ryan Hamilton and Ben Ondrus to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. All four players will join the Marlies in time for the ‘Ice Hockey Homecoming’ tournament which begins Thursday, September 24 in Edinburgh, Scotland.In 2009 preseason action with the Maple Leafs, Deveaux collected seven penalty minutes on September 16 versus Boston, Ondrus accumulated 12 penalty minutes on September 17 at Philadelphia, and Foster registered three shots on September 18 at Pittsburgh. Hamilton did not play in the preseason.

The Marlies begin their fifth season in Toronto when they host the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: mapleleafs.com

Marlies Sign Engelage

2009-09-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

September 22, 2009
Marlies Sign 2009 Memorial Cup Champion

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has signed goaltender Andrew Engelage to an American Hockey League contract. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Engelage, 20, played in 54 games with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2008-09 season earning a record of 46-4-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and 0.914 save percentage. The 6’5, 206-pound goalie helped guide the Spitfires to a Memorial Cup Championship with a 14-2-1 record during the playoffs. Engelage ranked first in the OHL in wins, third in goals against average and third (tie) with five shutouts. In 20 postseason games, the Oshawa, Ontario native registered a 2.86 goals-against average and 0.908 save percentage.
Engelage was named the starting goalie at the 2008-09 OHL All-Star Classic, representing the Western Conference.

The Marlies open the 2009-10 regular season on Sunday, October 4 against their division-rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For the full 2009-10 schedule please visit the Marlies official website. For 2009-10 Marlies
ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Sign Perry and Werner

2009-09-22T09:08:00.001-04:00

September 21, 2009
Marlies Re-Sign 2008-09 Rookie of the Year Todd Perry

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has signed defencemen Todd Perry and Eric Werner to American Hockey League contracts. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Perry, 22, played in 70 games with the Toronto Marlies during the 2008-09 season collecting seven points (two goals, five assists) and 81 penalty minutes. The 6’3, 215-pound defenceman scored his first career AHL goal on December 26 against the Lake Erie Monsters. The Ingleside, Ontario native skated in all six of the Marlies playoff games against the Manitoba Moose and recorded two assists and six penalty minutes. The Marlies named Perry the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year prior to their final game of the season last year.

Werner, 26, played in 15 games last season with the Manchester Monarchs, collecting three points (one goal, two assists) and 10 penalty minutes. The 5’10, 185-pound defenceman also suited up for the Augsburg Panthers (DEL) in 2008-09, appearing in 15 games and tallying four assists with 37 penalty minutes.

The Marlies open the 2009-10 regular season on Sunday, October 4 against their division-rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m.

For the full 2009-10 schedule please visit the Marlies official website. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Leafs Trim Training Camp Roster

2009-09-22T09:07:00.000-04:00

September 19, 2009

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Saturday that the hockey club has trimmed its training camp roster.

The following players were assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League: Alex Berry, Darryl Boyce, Josh Engel, Andrew Engelage, Tom Galvin, Stefano Giliati, Richard Greenop, Juraj Mikus, Dale Mitchell, Phil Oreskovic, Todd Perry, James Reimer, Kyle Rogers, Joe Ryan, Greg Scott, Robert Slaney, and Mikhail Stefanovich.

The Maple Leafs assigned the following players to their respective junior clubs: Jesse Blacker (Windsor – OHL), Joel Champagne (P.E.I. – QMJHL), and Brandon Manning (Chilliwack – WHL).

Bill Thomas and Juha Uotila have been released from their Professional Try-Out contracts.

The Marlies begin their fifth season in Toronto when they host the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and priority seating, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

RONA Teams Up With Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

2009-09-03T12:53:00.000-04:00

September 3, 2009

Boucherville, Quebec — RONA Inc. (TSX: RON), and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE), announced today a new five-year corporate partnership agreement.

RONA, Canada’s leading distributor and retailer of hardware, home improvement and gardening products, will become the Official Home Improvement Retailer of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA) and Toronto Marlies (AHL). RONA is already the Official Home Improvement Retailer for MLSE’s soccer club Toronto FC.

The exclusive partnership rights include permanent, camera-visible RONA branding at these teams’ home games at Air Canada Centre and Ricoh Coliseum, including on-ice RONA logos during Maple Leafs and Marlies preseason, regular and postseason home games. RONA will also gain hosting opportunities, in which its in-store customers can win exclusive tickets to Leafs, Raptors and Marlies games.

RONA has been a corporate partner of Toronto FC since 2007 as their Official and exclusive home improvement partner. In Spring 2009, RONA signed an extension with Toronto FC by two-years to continue its exclusive game and permanent signage at BMO Field.

The partnership will have RONA team up and engage in MLSE’s community and city building initiatives including the Toronto Maple Leafs Outdoor Practice, Toronto Marlies Outdoor Practice and the Leafs Hockey Legacy Rink Refurbishment program. RONA and its employees will contribute supplies and volunteer labour to support the rink refurbishment.

“We are thrilled to associate our winning RONA team with these important Canadian sports teams,” said Robert Dutton, president and CEO of RONA. “The Maple Leafs, Marlies, Raptors and Toronto FC are an inspiration and source of pride for so many people, not just in Ontario, but all across Canada. In addition, the Raptors and Toronto FC are the only Canadian teams in their respective leagues, so we are especially proud to give them our support.”

“Above all, RONA encourages the youth of Canada to live active lives, pursue their dreams and become winners—no matter what field of endeavour they are competing in,” Mr. Dutton said. “Our sports sponsorships and community initiatives allow us to promote Canadian values of fair play, social responsibility and perseverance.” “We’re excited to work with a proudly Canadian company like RONA that’s a leader in its industry”, said David Hopkinson, MLSE’s senior vice-president of corporate and community partnerships. “RONA has a great reputation in the home improvement industry. Its commitment to athlete and sports development through its partnership with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams is second to none. We’re pleased to extend our relationship with RONA to our hockey and basketball teams to further complement their existing partnership with Toronto FC.”

From a marketing perspective, RONA’s new partnership with MLSE will boost RONA’s brand exposure in the highly-competitive Ontario market, where RONA has 180 stores and 6,600 employees. The fan bases and broadcast audiences for MLSE’s four sports team represent a wide demographic spectrum.

RONA’s partnership with MLSE is a continuation of its long-standing commitment to Canadian sports, both professional and amateur. RONA is already a National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as a National Partner of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams through the London 2012 Summer Games.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Leafs Announce Rookie Tourney Roster

2009-08-26T16:44:00.001-04:00

Wednesday, 08.26.2009 / 12:47 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Wednesday their 24 player roster that will participate in a Rookie Tournament hosted by the Leafs at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The players will compete in four games beginning Sunday, September 6 versus prospect teams from the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Attending the rookie tournament include forward Nazem Kadri, who was Toronto’s first choice, selected seventh overall, at the NHL Entry Draft this past June. Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson will be one of three goaltenders participating for the Blue and White.

In addition, forwards Christian Hanson, Tyler Bozak, Dale Mitchell, Robert Slaney and Viktor Stalberg will bolster the attack of Toronto’s entry in the tournament.

Toronto Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins will oversee the club along with his assistant coaches Gord Dineen and Derek King.

Player/Position
Alex Berry/Forward
Jesse Blacker/Defence
Tyler Bozak/Forward
Joel Champagne/Forward
Jamie Devane/Forward
Andrew Engelage/Goaltender
Stefano Giliati/Forward
Richard Greenop/Forward
Carl Gunnarsson/Defence
Jonas Gustavsson/Goaltender
Christian Hanson/Forward
Nazem Kadri/Forward
John Kurtz/Forward
Simon Lacroix/Defence
Brandon Manning/Defence
Juraj Mikus/Defence
Dale Mitchell/Forward
James Reimer/Goaltender
Greg Scott/Forward
Robert Slaney/Forward
Barron Smith/Defence
Viktor Stalberg/Forward
Mikhail Stefanovich/Forward
Adam Wallace/Defence

SOURCE: mapleleafs.com

Dineen & King Named Marlies Assistant Coaches

2009-08-23T17:04:00.001-04:00

August 21, 2009

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday that Gord Dineen and Derek King have been named assistant coaches of the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Dineen and King will work under recently appointed Marlies’ head coach Dallas Eakins.

Dineen, a 46-year-old Toronto native, was the head coach of the Iowa Chops, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate in 2008-09. This past season under Dineen’s guidance, Iowa earned a record of 33 wins, 33 losses and 14 shootout/overtime losses. He has worked as both a head coach and an assistant coach in professional hockey since the 1999-00 season. As a defenceman, Dineen competed in 18 seasons of professional hockey (1982 - 2000). In 528 career NHL games with the New York Islanders, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Ottawa, he registered 106 points on 16 goals and 90 assists with 695 penalty minutes. He was selected 42nd overall in the 1981 Entry Draft by the Islanders.

King, 42, returns to the organization after playing 161 games for the Maple Leafs from 1997 to 2000 during which he scored 45 goals and 53 assists for 98 points. He played 14 seasons (1986 - 2000) in the NHL with the New York Islanders, Hartford, Toronto and St. Louis. In 830 games, he compiled 612 points on 261 goals and 351 assists, while adding 417 penalty minutes. The Hamilton native registered three 30-goal seasons, including one 40-goal season during his NHL career. He was also a player-assistant coach with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins for two seasons from 2002-03 to 2003-04. In the 1985 Entry Draft he was selected 13th overall by the Islanders.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

2009-08-19T16:24:00.002-04:00

Marlies Announce 2009-2010 Regular Season Sked

2009-08-14T17:00:00.002-04:00

August 13, 2009

Download the 2009-10 Schedule

A proud member of the American Hockey League, the Toronto Marlies announced today their 80 game 2009-10 regular season schedule which begins on Sunday, October 4 versus the Hamilton Bulldogs – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – at Ricoh Coliseum at 4:00 p.m.

Weekend games dominate the Marlies home schedule this season as the team will play 31 of their 40 home games on weekend dates. The home schedule predominantly features Saturday games, which will include 15 dates at Ricoh Coliseum. The Marlies will also play 11 Sunday home games, all of which will start at 4 p.m. with the exception of their December 13 contest against the Grand Rapids Griffins which will be at 5:00 p.m. Remaining home games are comprised of five games on both Wednesday and Friday, two games on Monday and one game each on Tuesday and Thursday. All weekday games (including Fridays) begin at 7:00 p.m. with the lone exceptions being the Marlies school day games and their game on February 15 (Family Day) against the Abbotsford Heat – AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames – which has a 2 p.m. puck-drop. This season the Marlies will play three school day games, one more than last season. The Marlies school day games will be on November 25 vs. Lake Erie, January 27 vs. San Antonio and March 3 vs. Chicago, with each game starting at 11:30 a.m.

The Marlies longest road trip of the season will take place in January. The eight-game trip will see the club face all seven teams from the West Division as the club visits Rockford, Peoria, Milwaukee, Chicago, Texas, Houston and San Antonio between January 6 – 17. The trip will conclude on Friday, January 22 when the Marlies travel to Grand Rapids to play the Griffins. The club plays their longest homestand from November 21 to December 1. The Marlies six-game home stretch begins with a contest against their division rival, Grand Rapids.

In all, the Marlies take-on 19 of 28 potential opponents; second most of all the AHL teams, in the league’s 74th regular season. The Marlies will play the Hamilton Bulldogs a total of 12 times, the most of any 2009-10 opponents (six in each city). The Marlies face their other division opponents Rochester, Abbotsford, Manitoba and Lake Erie on eight occasions (four in each city) and play Grand Rapids a total of six times (three in each city). The AHL’s North Division welcomes Abbotsford; while the Syracuse Crunch leaves the division and enters the Eastern Conference.

The Marlies will close-out the 2009-10 regular season schedule by hosting Abbotsford on Sunday, April 11 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4:00 p.m.

For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Raised Over $135, 000 in 2008-2009

2009-08-14T16:59:00.001-04:00

August 11, 2009

Team initiatives help raise over $135,000 for charities throughout the GT

A proud member of the American Hockey League, the Toronto Marlies - primary affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs - announced today that they helped raise a total of $136,018 for numerous charities throughout the Greater Toronto Area during the 2008-09 season. The team also made a franchise record 746 appearances in the community representing a feat more than twice their inaugural season total.

In conjunction with Kids Up Front, team volunteers helped raise a total of $5,000 through 50/50 draws, throughout the season. Working alongside Kids Up Front, Marlies players and staff visited schools across the GTA throughout the year in an effort to reduce youth violence while making our communities safer.

The team’s February 8, 2009 home game versus the Grand Rapids Griffins was held in support of breast cancer awareness and garnered almost $5,500 for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation through donations and a number of unique auctions. Darryl Boyce and Mark Bell each dyed their hair pink for the pre-game warm-ups prior to the Marlies game against the Griffins.

Nearly 2,340 items, including tickets, suites and team memorabilia were donated as part of key fundraiser initiatives for various charitable outlets throughout the 2008-09 season. The Marlies donated more than $51,000 in tickets to Toronto based charity programs, which allowed underprivileged children to attend live events.

The Marlies home opener has been set and will take place on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket

information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Leafs Sign Joey MacDonald

2009-08-14T16:57:00.001-04:00

August 10, 2009

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Monday that the hockey club has signed free agent goaltender Joey MacDonald to a one-year contract.

“We are pleased to be able to add a goaltender of Joey’s caliber to our roster,” said Burke. “He brings experience and character to our organization and gives us depth at the goaltending position.”

MacDonald, 29, registered a 14-26-6 record, one shutout, a 3.37 goals against average and a .901 save percentage in 49 games with the New York Islanders last season. He started 17 consecutive games from November 3 to December 8 and was named the NHL's "Third Star of the Month" for November after leading all goaltenders in games (14), minutes (842) and shots faced (439), and sharing the lead in wins (8).

The 6-0, 197-pound goaltender has appeared in 66 career NHL games with the Islanders, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings, posting a record of 17-34-9 with a 3.31 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.

During the 2002-03 season with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, MacDonald and teammate Marc Lamothe won the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Trophy which is awarded annually to the team with the lowest goals against average. In 202 career AHL games, MacDonald has notched a 104-76-4 record, 18 shutouts, a 2.47 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.

A native of Pictou, Nova Scotia, MacDonald was originally signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings on January 15, 2002.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Deal Pogge to Anaheim for 2010 Conditional Pick

2009-08-14T16:56:00.001-04:00

August 10, 2009

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Monday that the hockey club has acquired a conditional draft pick in 2011 from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goaltender Justin Pogge.

Pogge, 23, played in seven games for the Maple Leafs last season, earning a record of 1-4-1, a 4.35 goals against average and a .844 save percentage. He made 19 saves and earned the win in his NHL debut, a 6-2 victory at Atlanta on December 22. In 53 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies the 6-3, 204-pound goaltender registered a 2.70 goals against average and a 26-21-5 record.

A native of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Pogge was Toronto’s first choice, 90th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Win A Trip to the Gardner Cup

2009-08-14T16:55:00.000-04:00

August 7, 2009

The Toronto Marlies, a proud member of the American Hockey League, are introducing the opportunity for two lucky fans to have the chance to accompany the hockey team on their trip to Edinburgh, Scotland for their exhibition tournament from September 22-28.

The promotion includes a flight for two and six night’s accommodations, along with a pair of tickets to each Marlies game in Scotland’s ‘Ice Hockey Homecoming’ tournament in Edinburgh.

Marlies fans can enter the contest by logging onto the team’s official website, torontomarlies.com and registering their name. The lucky contestant will be chosen through a random draw. The contest closes on Monday, August 31 at midnight.

The four team tournament begins on Thursday, September 24 with a game between the Marlies and Hamilton Bulldogs at Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh at 2:00 p.m. (ET).

The Marlies home opener has been set and will take place on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Dallas Eakins Named Marlies New Head Coach

2009-08-14T16:53:00.001-04:00

August 4, 2009

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday the appointment of Dallas Eakins as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies.

“Dallas has over 20 years of professional hockey experience as a player, coach and most recently in the front office,” said Burke. “He understands what it takes to make the transition from the AHL level to the National Hockey League and he will enhance the development of our prospects.”

Eakins, 42, has spent the last four seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in various roles. He was the club’s Director of Player Development in 2008-09, served as an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs from 2006 to 2008, and was an assist coach with the Marlies during the 2005-06 AHL season.

The Dade City, Florida native was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 10th round, 208th overall, in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Eakins played in 120 games for Winnipeg, Florida, St. Louis, Phoenix, the New York Rangers, Toronto, the New York Islanders and Calgary. He also suited up in 609 AHL games, registering 134 points (27 goals, 107 assists) and 1051 penalty minutes. He retired from professional hockey following the 2004 season with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Leafs Re-Sign Boyce and Foster

2009-07-23T08:39:00.001-04:00

July 22, 2009
Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Wednesday that the hockey club has re-signed two Group II restricted free agent forwards including Darryl Boyce to a two-year contract and Alex Foster to a one-year contract.

Boyce, a 25-year-old native of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, registered 30 points on 12 goals and 18 assists in 73 games played for the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies this past season. The 6-0, 200-pound forward ranked first on the team in shorthanded goals (2) and second in penalty minutes (131). In the Calder Cup playoffs he scored two goals and had a team-high 27 penalty minutes. He played one career game for the Leafs on January 24, 2008 at Washington during which he suffered a season ending shoulder dislocation. Boyce joined the Leafs’ organization as a free agent on January 1, 2008.

Foster, 24, played in all 80 games for the Marlies in 2008-09, and he collected 12 goals and 23 assists, along with 88 minutes in penalties. The 5-11, 195-pound forward tied with Bates Battaglia for first in Marlies playoff scoring with five points on two goals and three assists in six games. He has played three career games for the Leafs, all in the 2007-08 season. The Canton, Michigan native originally signed as a free agent with the Maple Leafs on March 8, 2006

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Sifers Signs With Wild

2009-07-10T09:36:00.001-04:00

July 8, 2009

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defensemen Jaime Sifers to a one-year contract.

Sifers, 26 (1/18/83), recorded two assists and 18 PIM in 23 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2008-09 season. He also posted 20 points (4-16=20) and 47 PIM in 43 games for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound native of Stratford, Conn., played collegiately at the University of Vermont, where he was an ECAC Second All-Star Team selection in 2005. Sifers was signed as a free agent by Toronto on July 20, 2006.

SOURCE: wild.nhl.com

Marlies Announce Schedule Format

2009-07-10T09:33:00.002-04:00

July 7, 2009
The Marlies to Host the Three New AHL Franchises at Ricoh Coliseum

In conjunction with the American Hockey League, the Toronto Marlies announced today their 2009-10 regular season schedule format which sees the team welcome the three new AHL franchises to Ricoh Coliseum for the first time. Toronto will host the Abbotsford Heat for the first time and play their new division foes a total of eight times. The Marlies will also face off against the Adirondack Phantoms and the Texas Stars twice this season (once in each city).

The Marlies will play the 2008-09 Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy (regular season points champion) winning Manitoba Moose – AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks – four times at home and four in Winnipeg in what will be the Marlies fifth season in Toronto. The Moose represented the Western Conference this past season in the Calder Cup Finals and also defeated the Marlies in the first round of the North Division Semifinals in six games.

The Marlies will play the Hamilton Bulldogs – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – a total of 12 times, the most of any 2009-10 opponents (six in each city).

The Marlies will also oppose the 2008-09 Calder Cup Champion winning Hershey Bears – AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals – two times during the upcoming regular season. Other Eastern Conference foes include Hartford (twice), Binghamton (twice), Syracuse (twice), and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (twice).

The AHL’s North Division welcomes Abbotsford; while the Syracuse Crunch leaves the division and enters the Eastern Conference. The Marlies face Rochester and Lake Erie on eight occasions (four in each city) and play Grand Rapids a total of six times (three in each city).

Toronto will travel to all seven of the West Division’s cities (Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, Milwaukee, Austin, Peoria and Rockford). The Marlies will play Chicago and Milwaukee each on four occasions (two at home and two away), while facing the other West Division opponents twice each. In all, the Marlies take-on 19 of 29 potential opponents; second most of all the AHL teams, in the league’s 74th regular season.

The Marlies and the AHL will announce their full 2009-10 regular season schedule at a later date this summer. The Marlies home opener has been set and will take place on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Ondrus and Hamilton Sign (Along with Brent, Greenop, and Rosehill)

2009-07-10T09:30:00.002-04:00

July 7, 2009
Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Monday that the hockey club has re-signed forwards Ben Ondrus and Ryan Hamilton to one-year contracts. The Maple Leafs also signed a trio of free agent forwards including Jay Rosehill to a two-year contract, Tim Brent to a one-year contract, and Richard Greenop to a three-year entry level contract.

“Ondrus is a consummate professional,” said Burke. “He is a very good example of leadership and commitment for our young prospects and adds great depth to our organization.”

Ondrus, 27, played 11 games for the Maple Leafs this past season, registering 34 penalty minutes. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native was also the team captain of the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. In 57 games with the Marlies, the 6-0, 194-pound forward collected 17 points on 10 goals and seven assists with 83 penalty minutes. He played in six Calder Cup playoff games for the Marlies and recorded two penalty minutes. In 52 career NHL games, all with the Maple Leafs, he has recorded two assists and 77 minutes in penalties. Ondrus originally signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Maple Leafs organization on May 27, 2004.

Hamilton, 24, split the 2008-09 season with the AHL’s Houston Aeros and Toronto Marlies, posting 25 points (15 goals, 10 assists) and 57 penalty minutes in 65 games. He also collected a goal and two assists with four penalty minutes in six playoff games with the Marlies. In 199 career AHL games with Houston and Toronto, Hamilton has registered 42 goals and 38 assists for 80 points with 131 penalty minutes. The 6-2, 219-pound Oshawa, Ontario native was acquired by the Maple Leafs on January 21, 2009 in exchange for Robbie Earl.

Rosehill, 23, split this past season with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals and Toronto Marlies, registering seven goals and eight assists for 15 points with 275 minutes in penalties. His 275 penalty minutes were second overall in the AHL. He also accumulated four penalty minutes in six Calder Cup playoff games with the Marlies. The 6-3, 210-pound forward has appeared in 245 career AHL games with Springfield, Norfolk and Toronto, posting 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) and 622 penalty minutes. Rosehill, a native of Olds, Alberta was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the seventh round, 227th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Brent, 25, played two games for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008-09 and registered two assists. In 64 games with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs this past season, he led the team in scoring with 62 points on 20 goals and 42 assists, along with 59 minutes in penalties and a team-high four shorthanded goals. The 6-0, 197-pound Cambridge, Ontario native also collected one assist and two penalty minutes in four playoff games with Rockford. In 18 career NHL games with Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Chicago he has scored one goal and accumulated eight penalty minutes. Brent was originally Anaheim’s second choice, selected 37th overall, in the 2002 Entry Draft and played for the former Toronto St. Michael’s Majors in the OHL.

Greenop, 20, won the Memorial Cup last season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires. In 60 regular season games, the 6-4, 235-pound winger collected eight points (four goals, four assists) and ranked sixth overall in the OHL with 156 penalty minutes. Greenop also added 28 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games. The native of Oshawa, Ontario was originally selected by Chicago in the sixth round, 156th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Take on Hamilton in Pre-Season Game at General Motors Centre

2009-06-22T15:57:00.001-04:00

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club will play an exhibition game against their division-rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – at General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario on Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for the Marlies/Bulldogs game in Oshawa will go on-sale on Friday, June 26 beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at General Motors Centre Box Office by phone at 1-877-436-8811 or online at www.generalmotorscentre.com. Individual tickets can be purchased for as low as $15 and family 4-packs are only $55.

The Marlies home opener has been set and will take place on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: facebook.com

Marlies Re-Sign Joe Ryan and Josh Engel

2009-06-19T13:22:00.003-04:00

June 18, 2009

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has exercised the club options on the American Hockey League contracts of defencemen Joey Ryan and Josh Engel for the upcoming 2009-10 season.

Ryan, 21, appeared in 36 games with the Toronto Marlies last season, collecting 12 points (three goals, nine assists) with 42 penalty minutes. The 6’1, 204-pound native of Stoneham, Massachusetts also played in four playoff games for the Marlies in 2009, recording zero points and a plus-one rating.

Engel, 24, appeared in 28 games with the Marlies during the 2008-09 regular season, notching one goal and fours assists with 20 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating. The 6’3, 203-pound rearguard from Rice Lake, Wisconsin native skated in three postseason games with the Marlies in the 2009 Calder Cup playoffs, registering one assist.

The Marlies home opener has been set and will take place on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum at 4 p.m. For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Begin Pre-Season in Edinburgh

2009-06-12T10:37:00.001-04:00

June 11, 2009

Maple Leafs Affiliate Begin Pre-Season at Scotland’s ‘Ice Hockey Homecoming’ Tournament
Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club will begin their pre-season in Scotland’s ‘Ice Hockey Homecoming’ tournament in Edinburgh, Scotland from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27 at the Festival of Ice Hockey. The Marlies opponents will include their QEW-rivals, the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens), the Belfast Giants and the Edinburgh Capitals, Scotland’s only Elite League hockey club.

The four team tournament begins on Thursday, September 24 with a battle between the Marlies and Bulldogs at Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh at 2:00 p.m. (ET).
The Marlies play the Edinburgh Capitals on Saturday, September 26 in their semi-final game at 7:30 a.m. (ET). The championship game will be played between the two winning teams from Saturday’s games and will take place on Sunday, September 27 at 12:30 p.m. (ET). The winning team on Sunday will take home the Gardiner Cup. The third and fourth place teams will play in a consolation final on Sunday morning.

“The Marlies are thrilled to participate in Scotland’s ‘Ice Hockey Homecoming’ Tournament and to compete for the Gardiner Cup,” said Jeff Jackson. “This will be a terrific hockey and life experience for our players and we’re honoured to be a part of this unique event. We are looking forward to a competitive tournament and showcasing a number of our NHL prospects to the hockey fans in Scotland.”

The Gardiner Cup celebrates the life of Charles ‘Chuck’ Gardiner. He attained NHL stardom with the Chicago Blackhawks where he guarded the net from 1927-1934 and helped lead the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup victory. Gardiner was the first Scot to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945.

For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Make Coaching Changes

2009-06-05T16:34:00.001-04:00

June 5, 2009

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the club will not renew the contract of Toronto Marlies head coach Greg Gilbert. Marlies assistant coaches Joe Paterson and Jim Hughes have been given permission to pursue other opportunities.

“Greg has been a valuable and loyal member of our organization,” said Burke. “We appreciate the dedication of the Marlies’ coaching staff and we wish them well in their future endeavours.”
Greg Gilbert completed his third season behind the bench with the Marlies in 2008-09. Prior to joining the Marlies, Gilbert coached the Worcester IceCats (AHL), the Calgary Flames and the Mississauga IceDogs (OHL).

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Announce Home Opener, Other Dates

2009-05-22T14:46:00.001-04:00

Marlies Announce Home Opener
May 20, 2009

The Marlies Announce Six Home Regular Season Dates

The Toronto Marlies, a proud member of the American Hockey League, announced today that the club has released the dates of six guaranteed home games for the 2009-10 season. The Marlies home opener has been set and will take place on Sunday, October 4 at Ricoh Coliseum.
The Marlies will play at Ricoh Coliseum at Exhibition Place on the following dates:

Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, January 23, 2010

Opponents and start times for these games will be announced when the complete 2009-10 American Hockey League schedule is released this summer. In operation since 1936, the AHL will again serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams when its 74th season gets underway on Friday, October 2.

For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Season Ends After 4-2 Loss In Game 6

2009-04-27T08:34:00.002-04:00

Canadian Press

April 25, 2009

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Moose scored three unanswered goals in the third period to eliminate the Toronto Marlies 4-2 in the AHL North Division semifinal Saturday.

Matt Pope, Raymond Sawada and Guillaume Desbiens added to Greg Rallo's first-period goal for Manitoba, which won the series 4-2.

Tim Stapleton and Alex Foster scored for Toronto.

Toronto's Adam Munro, playing his first game in the series, was strong in goal, stopping 29 shots to give his club every opportunity to send the series to a seventh game. Cory Schneider, voted the outstanding goalie in the AHL, made just 13 saves for the win.

Rallo opened the scoring at 5:02 of the first period after he pounced on a rebound directly in front of the net and beat an out-of-position Munro on his stick side.

Toronto had an opportunity to tie after Moose forward Pierre-Cedric Labrie slammed Andy Rogers into the end boards and was handed a boarding major and a game misconduct, but the Marlies managed just three shots on goal during the five-minute power play.

The Marlies only had five shots in the second period but they made them count as Stapleton and Foster scored just 69 seconds apart to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.

The Moose caught fire in the third period, starting at 1:45 when Pope beat Munro to tie the game back up.

Sawada scored from a scramble at the edge of the crease at 6:14 to give the Moose a 3-2 lead and with less than five minutes to go, Desbiens suddenly swept across the front of the net and deked Munro for the insurance goal.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Drop Game #5

2009-04-23T23:09:00.000-04:00

April 23, 2009

TORONTO (CP)_ Jason Jaffray's hot hand helped the Manitoba Moose claim victory in the all-important swing game.

Jaffray scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner with just under 10 minutes left in the contest, to lead Manitoba to a 5-2 win over the Toronto Marlies in Game 5 of the teams' AHL North Division semifinal series on Thursday night.

The Moose now head back to Winnipeg with a 3-2 series advantage and two chances to close out the Marlies on home ice, beginning Saturday night with Game 6.

Jaffray leads all goal-scorers in the series with five tallies.

Jason Krog was also a big offensive contributor for the Moose, notching two goals and an assist, while Cory Schneider turned aside 38 shots for Manitoba.

Krog's second goal came with just seven minutes remaining in the game and provided a two-goal cushion for Manitoba. It was an odd scoring play as the centre simply put the puck toward the middle of the ice from the corner, only to have it carom off a Marlies defender near the crease and past goalie Justin Pogge.

Toronto, which got goals from Darryl Boyce and Anton Stralman, was never able to claw back into the game after that.

Guillaume Desbiens, who had a goal and two assists, potted the game's final tally with less than five minutes remaining to send the Ricoh Coliseum crowd of 2,416 home unhappy.

The game was tied 2-2 and up for grabs entering the final 20 minutes after the teams exchanged late goals in the second.

After flashing the glove to deny Boyce on a breakaway and Ryan Hamilton on a two-on-one, Schneider's glove hand failed him in the dying minutes of the second period, allowing Toronto to momentarily take the lead. The goalie couldn't squeeze a long point shot from Jamie Sifers and the puck dropped right on to the stick of Boyce, who banged it in from the side of the net with just over two minutes left in the period.

But instead of taking a one-goal lead into the third, Toronto's defensive zone coverage broke down and Krog answered back 46 seconds later when he was left alone in front of Pogge. After taking a pass from Desbiens from the opposite point, Krog quickly deked to his backhand and stuffed the puck into the corner of the net.

Just like the second frame, the first period featured a late goal that tied the proceedings. That came when Stralman picked off a poor clearing attempt by Krog and fired a low, hard shot that eluded Schneider with just 54 seconds left in the opening period.

Jaffray got the game's first goal when he snapped a shot past Pogge six seconds into a Manitoba power play just over six minutes into the first period.

Notes: Left-winger Viktor Stalberg, 23, picked up an assist in his first pro game after signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs following his junior year at the University of Vermont. . . Pogge took his third minor penalty of the series in Game 5.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Moose Even Up Series 2-2

2009-04-22T08:29:00.000-04:00

TORONTO (CP) -- The Manitoba Moose used their power play to get back on even terms with the undisciplined Toronto Marlies on Tuesday night.

The Moose scored three times with the man advantage to bury the Marlies 5-1 and tie their North Division semifinal series 2-2.

Jason Jaffray, Maxime Fortunus and Mark Fistric each had a goal and an assist for Manitoba. Greg Rallo and Mark Cullen notched third-period goals to put the game away for the Moose in front of 2,258 fans at the Ricoh Coliseum.

Bates Battaglia had Toronto's lone goal as Cory Schneider stopped 20 shots in the win.
With Manitoba up 3-1 in the third, Rallo converted a pass from Dusty Collins, tipping the puck high over Toronto goalie Justin Pogge's glove.

The goal came off a turnover by Toronto's Jeremy Williams. The Marlies winger then cross-checked Rallo as he celebrated.

The ensuing penalty, coupled with a minor to Toronto's Phil Oreskovic for trying to pick a fight with Manitoba's Raymond Sawada, helped Cullen score Manitoba's fifth goal just after the five-on-three power play expired.

After a spirited but scoreless first period, things opened up with four second-period goals, three of which came on the power play.

Fistric got the ball rolling 3:18 into the frame when his floater from the point on a Manitoba man advantage got past a screened Pogge and found the top corner.

Just moments earlier, Toronto's Ben Ondrus had a chance to put the puck deep and get a line change, but he failed to do so, the Marlies got pinned in their zone and ultimately fell behind 1-0.
Toronto pulled even on a power play of its own when Battaglia, standing right in front of Schneider, tracked a loose puck and quickly swept it into the side of the net.

Just when things were looking up for the Marlies, Andre Deveaux took a foolish unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to give Manitoba another man advantage.

Fortunus' point shot found the corner of Pogge's goal to put Manitoba up 2-1 less than two minutes after the Marlies drew even.

Deveaux did not see the ice for the remaining eight minutes of the second.
The only even strength goal of the period came with 29 seconds left. After Toronto failed to clear its zone, Matt Pope slid a quick pass to the middle of the ice and Jaffray buried a wicked wrist shot under the crossbar on Pogge's stick side for his series-leading third goal.

Notes: Game 5 is Thursday night in Toronto. ... The teams return to Winnipeg for Game 6 Saturday night. ... Manitoba's Michael Grabner left the game briefly after crashing hard into the end boards in the second, but returned. ... Defenceman Jonas Frogren, who played all season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, suited up for his first game of the year with the Marlies after recovering from a knee injury.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com.

Marlies Sign Robert Slaney to ATO

2009-04-21T16:18:00.000-04:00

April 21, 2009

Marlies Battle Moose in Game 4 of North Division Semifinal Series Tonight at Ricoh Coliseum
Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has signed left winger Robert Slaney to an amateur try-out contract. Slaney signed a three-year NHL entry level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 14.

Slaney, a 20-year-old native of Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland, led the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in goals (36) and points (81) this season. He also had 78 penalty minutes. Among all QMJHL players he ranked 10th in points and 11th in goals. The 6-2, 204-pound forward collected nine points (five goals, four assists) and a plus-five rating in seven playoff contests.

In 239 career games with Cape Breton from 2005 to 2009, Slaney tallied 78 goals, 90 assists and 168 points, along with 229 penalty minutes. In 2007-08 he was named the Canadian Hockey League’s academic player of the year.

The Marlies play Game 4 of their North Division Semifinal series tonight at Ricoh Coliseum against the Manitoba Moose – AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks – at 7:00 p.m. Toronto will host Game 5 at Ricoh Coliseum on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Tonight’s game will air live on Rogers TV Cable 10 in Toronto and 63 in Scarborough. The FAN 590 will air all Marlies playoff games as either a radio or web broadcast. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Regain Series Lead

2009-04-20T12:16:00.001-04:00

April 19, 2009
Marlies Drop Moose, Lead Series 2-1
Pogge Named First Star Making 30 saves

(TORONTO) – The Toronto Marlies were able to fend off the Manitoba Moose 2-1 in front of 3,783 fans at Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday. Tim Stapleton’s goal at the beginning of the third period held up to be the game-winner.

Toronto was able to take an early 1-0 lead on a goal from Ryan Hamilton. Alex Foster managed to get the puck to Hamilton in front of the net where shot it off the cross-bar before the puck eventually found its way into the net past Moose goalie Corey Schneider. Foster and Andre Deveaux collected the assists on the play.

The Marlies entered the second period of play holding a 1-0 lead over the Moose. Early on in the second, Justin Pogge stopped Jason Krog who broke in all alone with a sparkling glove save to keep the Marlies in front.

Late in the frame, Manitoba was able to even things up at one with a goal by Alexandre Bolduc that found its way between the pads of Pogge.

The Marlies jumped out to a 2-1 lead early on in the third when Tim Stapleton notched his first goal of the playoffs. Bates Battaglia made a cross-ice pass that found Stapleton breaking in down the wing on Schneider. Stapleton faked a slap-shot and then wristed a shot behind the Moose net-minder. Battaglia and Jiri Tlusty added helpers on the goal.

Pogge was able to fend off nine Moose shots in the third frame to preserve the Marlies lead and secure the win. Toronto now leads the series 2-1 over Manitoba. Pogge made 30 saves in the win.

The two teams meet up again on Tuesday for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series at Ricoh Coliseum at 7:00 p.m.

ICE CHIPS: During the regular season the Marlies posted a 4-0 home record vs. the Moose…Toronto entered the game with no goals on five power-play attempts…Justin Pogge and Corey Schneider started the first two games with similar stats; Pogge 1-1, 2.41 GAA, .915 SV% and Schneider 1-1, 2.40 GAA, .912 SV%...Bates Battaglia’s overtime goal in game one put him on top of the Marlies all-time playoff game winner list with four.

SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
1. TOR R. Hamilton (1) (Foster, Deveaux) 6:17 PP

Second Period
1. MTB A. Bolduc (1) (Collins, Keane) 16:48

Third Period
2. TOR T. Stapleton (1) (Battaglia, Tlusty) 2:44

Shots
TOR MTB
28 31

THREE STARS
1. TOR: Justin Pogge
2. TOR: Tim Stapleton
3. MTB: Michael Grabner

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies -- and me

2009-04-16T09:39:00.000-04:00

All hope rests on the Marlies.

(My gawd, has it come to that, Mikey?)

I'm afraid so, sports fans. Yet another bleak post season has dawned in The City of Champing at the Bit.

The Leafs are done like a Christmas goose. So, too, the Raptors and Rock. The Blue Jays and Toronto FC are just starting. The Argos are but a twinkle in Pinball Clemons' eyes.

Which leaves the Marlies.

You may have heard of them, though I wager you've never seen them play.

The Marlies draw 2,200 fans at Ricoh Coliseum, on the CNE grounds, which seats 8,000.
I mean, c'mon. In a metropolis of rabid hockey fans?

"I don't understand it," says Marlies spokesman Trevor Van Knotsenburg from Winnipeg before last night's Round 1 opener against the mighty Moose.

"Toronto is the centre of the hockey universe and this is great hockey at a great price."

Yet nobody comes. Naturally, that changes in the playoffs.

"No, attendance goes down," says Van Knotsenburg. That's because advance group sales dry up in the post-season.

So, anyway, who and what are these guys?

Here's a guide, Marlies for Dummies, to put you in a post-season mood. Read it, and you can win tickets to Game 3 Sunday.

For starters, these Marlies are not the Marlies of my youth, short for Marlboros, a Junior A team.

This is the Leafs' farm club in the American Hockey League which includes the Crunch, the Wolf Pack, the River Rats, the Lake Erie Monsters, the Chops, the Rampage and, of course, the mighty Moose.

The Marlies roster is rife with has-been and wannabe Leafs, including Jiri Tlusty, Justin Pogge, Anton Stralman, Tim Stapleton and Bates Battaglia.

These guys need something to do in the NHL post-season.

Ticket prices are un-Leaf-like. Game-day seats start at $13, even in the playoffs. The platinums go for -- wait for it -- $38. At the ACC, they're $218, and who are you going to see that's much better than Bates Battaglia?

Best seats in the house -- well, take your pick -- are Section 116. The Dog Pound, named for the mascot, Duke.

Dog Pound denizen Vanessa Mariani, 26, says a core of 10 diehards is joined each game by a few dozen assorted other regulars.

She tells me they're still working on a decent chant.

"We say, 'Let's go, Marlies,' and if they score, we'll throw in, 'Let's get another one!'"

Hmmm. Spellbinding.

"We'll try to come up with something better this summer."

How about playing off the hit movie?

Marlies and Me!

Or ask TFC fans. They'll dream up something lively, and unprintable.

In fact, Marlies already have decided to go raunchier, a la TFC, at least on school nights when the family market dries up. Now, on Sundays, the cover band does Miley Cyrus, on weeknights the Rolling Stones.

The Marlies Girls, who dance in the stands, look a tad sexier for a Friday night game. Same for popular Melissa, the in-game host.

"She's got this rocker chick thing going on," says Mariani.

What else is hot about a Marlies game, Vanessa?

"The guys all play like they've got something to prove.

"And they interact. When they clinched on Friday, Phil Oreskovic was going crazy. Dancing, high-fiving fans and rubbing kids' heads."

Imagine a Leaf doing that.

So, let's see: Great hockey, great price, gritty ambiance and ... a near-deserted arena.
"I'm really disappointed with Toronto," says Mariani. "Everyone makes a big stink about the Leafs, and the Marlies are right here, winning.

"I don't think most people even realize they're in town."

Well, if you're one of the six million people in the GTA (including me) who've never seen a Marlies game, here's your chance.

I've got a juicy pair of tickets for each of five readers who can answer this question:
Who is NOT a Marlie? 1. Joe Ryan. 2. Ryan Hollweg. 3. Jennifer Aniston. 4. Ben Ondrus.

E-mail me by noon tomorrow, with correct answer, your name and phone number. I'll draw five entries.

Let's mash those Moose!

MIKE STROBEL'S COLUMN RUNS WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY, AND SUNDAY. MIKE.STROBEL@SUNMEDIA.CA OR 416-947-2265.

SOURCE: torontosun.com

Battaglia Scores For OT Win

2009-04-16T08:27:00.000-04:00

The Canadian Press
April 15, 2009

Pogge Makes 36 Saves As Marlies Strike First In Playoff Series
(WINNIPEG, MB) - The Toronto Marlies may not have been in playoff form for all of their American Hockey League post-season opener, but their goaltender certainly was.

Justin Pogge made 37 stops and Bates Battaglia scored in overtime as the Marlies beat the Manitoba Moose 3-2 in Game 1 of their AHL North Division semifinal on Wednesday.

The Marlies won despite getting outshot 39-28. Pogge was solid, however, stopping 15 shots in the second period and 14 in the third.

After the game, the goaltender was quick to deflect credit to his teammates.
"My team played well in front of me," Pogge said. "They had a lot of big bodies in front of me and they cleared them out. We battled hard.

"It's fun to play here in Winnipeg. There is a war building. Manitoba is a good team. They deserved to finish on top (in the regular season) while we just squeaked in."

Kyle Rogers and Alex Foster also scored for Toronto, which leads the seven-game series 1-0.
"We played fairly solid the first couple of periods and then we got back on our heels and didn't create much," said Toronto head coach Greg Gilbert. "It was Pogge's netminding that stood out for us. He's going to have to carry that on throughout the playoffs if we are to succeed."

Gilbert was especially pleased with his line of Foster, Andre Deveaux and Ryan Hamilton.

"They've been getting better each night. They work well together," he said. "Deveaux, he's a big body guy who skates well with the puck He did some pretty good things when he was up for a few games with the Leafs."

Guillaume Desbiens and Raymond Sawada replied for Manitoba.

"It's frustrating coming out with a loss considering how well we played," Sawada said. "We've got to build off that and fix a few things."

While disappointed, Manitoba head coach Scott Arniel still felt positive about certain aspects of his team's play.

"We came out and did a lot of things we planned to do. We outchanced them three to one, but their goalie (Justin) Pogge was very very good. He made a number of saves at key times.
"We just have to move on to the next game and not let it affect us between our ears. It's playoff hockey. It's about getting breaks. We did a good job of moving our feet and controlling the puck."
Cory Schneider stopped 25 shots for the Moose.

Game 2 is Friday in Winnipeg.

SOURCE: Canadian Press

Marlies Release LaLonde

2009-04-13T16:51:00.001-04:00

April 13, 2009

Marlies Begin Round 1 of North Division Semifinal on Wednesday in Manitoba

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has released defenceman Rob LaLonde from his professional try-out contract.

LaLonde, 26, appeared in nine games this season with Toronto, posting zero points and six penalty minutes. The 6’4, 210- pound, Williamsville, NY native made his Marlies debut on February 20 at Hamilton.

LaLonde played in nine AHL games earlier this season with the Iowa Chops and Syracuse Crunch collecting zero points and 10 penalty minutes.

The Marlies begin Round 1 of their North Division Semifinal series in Winnipeg on Wednesday night against the Manitoba Moose – AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks – at 8:30 p.m. (ET)

The Marlies will return home to play Game 3 at Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday with puck-drop scheduled for 4:00 p.m. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Down In OT

2009-04-12T19:33:00.001-04:00

April 11, 2009

Marlies Downed by Dogs In OT
Marlies Regular Season Finale Ends In a Loss

(TORONTO) – The Toronto Marlies were able to tie the game with only 12 seconds remaining in the third period but couldn’t secure a victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs in front of 5,733 fans at Ricoh Coliseum. Bates Battaglia had the lone Marlies goal on the power-play to force overtime, but the Bulldogs won it, 2-1 in overtime.

The Marlies locked up a playoff berth last night with their victory over the Moose and choose to rest some of their starters for the game.

Both Hamilton and Toronto couldn’t improve their place in the standings with a victory, as they’ve both locked up their spot for the postseason. The Marlies head to Manitoba for Game 1 of the North Division Semifinal; while the Bulldogs will host the Grand Rapids in their first round matchup.

The Marlies and Bulldogs skated to a scoreless first period.

David Desharnais put Hamilton on the board with his third goal of the season. Desharnais fired a shot from the point and beat a screened Adam Munro.

The Marlies were able to tie the game with only 12 seconds remaining on the power-play, thanks to a Bates Battaglia shot from the slot. The Marlies had a six on four advantage due to the power-play and having their goaltender pulled for an extra attacker. Darryl Boyce and Andre Deveaux collected assists on the play.

Hamilton needed only one shot on goal in overtime to seal the victory as Mathieu Carle got a loose puck in the slot and fired a shot past the blocker side of Adam Munro.

The Marlies power-play ranked second in the AHL went one for three on the night.

Munro entered the game with six wins over his past eight starts.

The Marlies begin Round 1 of their North Division Semifinal on Wednesday night in Manitoba with puck-drop scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (EST) Marlies playoff tickets are now on-sale through www.ticketmaster.ca, www.torontomarlies.com or by calling 416-597-PUCK. The series returns to Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto for Game 3 on Sunday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m.

ICE CHIPS: Marlies defenceman Andy Rogers made his debut…Announced attendance was 5,733 …Kyle Chipchura is a former captain of the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL…The Marlies and Bulldogs have clinched playoff berths…Both teams entered the game without a regulation loss in the month of April…Tim Stapleton was recalled by the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier in the day…Rob LaLonde skated in his second game as a Marlie.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

No Scoring

Second Period

1. HAM D. Desharnais (24) (Kemp) 6:28

Third Period

1. TOR B. Battaglia (17) (Boyce, Deveaux) 19:48 PP

Overtime

2. HAM M. Carle (7) (Desharnais) 3:46

Shots

TOR HAM
25 28

THREE STARS
1. TOR: Bates Battaglia
2. TOR: Alex Foster
3. HAM: David Desharnais

Marlies Down In OT

2009-04-12T19:33:00.000-04:00

Marlies Make Mousse Out of the Moose and Clinch a Playoff Spot!!!

2009-04-11T12:57:00.006-04:00

April 10, 2009
Battaglia’s OT Goal Puts Marlies in PostseasonMarlies Overtime Victory Clinches Playoff Berth

(TORONTO) – For the second consecutive year the Toronto Marlies are headed to the playoffs. Toronto clinched a playoff spot with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Manitoba Moose on Friday night in front of 3,450 fans at Ricoh Coliseum. Bates Battaglia’s overtime winner, and a Crunch loss, clinched a playoff spot for the Marlies.

Just under a minute remaining in the first period, Moose left winger Jason Jaffray capitalized on a giveaway to take a 1-0 lead. Marlies defenseman Joey Ryan skated in front of the Marlies net and lost control of the puck and Jaffray chipped it by Justin Pogge for his 23rd of the season.
The Moose jumped out to a 2-0 lead 55 seconds into the second period. Moose forward Michael Grabner got behind the Marlies defence and backhanded it by Pogge for his 28th goal of the campaign. Jason Krog and Guillaume Desbiens both picked up assists on the goal. Krog’s assist was his team leading 85th point of the season.

The Marlies quickly answered back just over a minute later when Ryan Hollweg scored his second goal of the year. Marlies left-winger Jay Rosehill passed it to Hollweg who fired it from the point and past a screened Cory Schneider to cut the lead to one.

Raymond Sawada extended the Moose lead to 3-1 mid-way through the second frame. Pogge was unable to control the rebound from Grabner’s shot and Sawada who was in front of the Marlie goal managed to bat the puck into the net for his sixth goal of the season.

The Marlies made it 3-2 on the power-play late in the second period after Jeremy Williams fired it past Cory Schneider. Marlies forward Tim Stapleton started the play as he fought off two Moose defenders to dish it to Williams who one-timed it in. Williams’ goal was his 19th power-play tally of the season. Battaglia also picked up an assist on the goal.

The momentum carried over into the third period as Stapleton scored a highlight reel goal to tie the game. Battaglia passed it to a streaking Stapleton who broke in and fired a wrist shot top shelf on Schneider’s glove-side. Stapleton’s goal was his club leading, 28th.

In the overtime period, Stapleton ripped a shot from the point on goal and Battaglia was at the doorstep to knock it out of the air and past Schneider. Joey Ryan picked up the second assist.
The win was Toronto’s sixth straight over their first round opponent, Manitoba.
Justin Pogge made 21 saves to record his 26th win of the season, tying his franchise high set last year.

Battaglia and Stapleton both finished the night with three point games (one goal, two assists).
Toronto hosts the Hamilton Bulldogs tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. for their season finale. The Marlies will hand out their individual team awards prior to puck-drop.

ICE CHIPS: Marlies entered the game with a one point lead over Syracuse for the final playoff spot in the North division...Toronto has successfully killed off 21 straight Moose power-plays...Marlies goaltender Justin Pogge is 5-1-0 versus the Moose this season...Moose goaltender Cory Schneider was named winner of Aldega “Baz” Bastien Memorial award for the league’s most outstanding goaltender...Toronto won only their third game this season when trailing after two periods.

SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
1. MTB J.Jaffray (23) (unassisted) 19:01

Second Period
2. MTB M.Grabner (28) (Krog, Desbiens) 0:55
1. TOR R.Hollweg (2) (Rosehill) 2:30
3. MTB R Sawada (6) (Grabner) 13:19
2. TOR J.Williams (27) (Stapleton, Battaglia) 17:10 PP

Third Period
3. TOR T. Stapleton (28) (Battaglia) 1:54

Overtime
4. TOR B. Battaglia (16) (Stapleton, Ryan) 2:16

Three Stars
1. TOR: Tim Stapleton
2. TOR: Bates Battaglia
3. MTB: Michael Grabner

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Update on the Playoff Push

2009-04-09T08:32:00.002-04:00

The Marlies lost 4-3 in OT against the Rochester Americans but gained a valuable point. Syracuse lost 4-3 in OT against Binghamton. As a result, the standings in the North Division are:

TOR
GP W L OTL SOL Points
78 38 29 4 7 87

SYR
GP W L OTL SOL Points
78 39 31 5 3 86

Stapleton Sets Marlies Mark

2009-04-09T08:31:00.000-04:00

April 8, 2009
Stapleton’s Hat-Trick on Wednesday Night Helped Marlies Gain Valuable Point

Toronto Marlies centre Tim Stapleton registered his franchise-high 76th point of the season tonight, surpassing John Pohl’s mark of 75 points set during the 2005-06 campaign. Stapleton’s second hat-trick of the season forced overtime against the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night, but the Marlies lost 5-4 in the extra frame.

In 69 games this season Stapleton has recorded 27 goals and 49 assists for 76 points. He ranks first on the Marlies and eighth in the AHL in points. Stapleton’s 49 assists this season is also a Marlies single season high. The Oak Park, IL native was named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 1, 2009.

The Marlies continue their quest for a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs on Friday night when they host the Manitoba Moose – AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks – at 7 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum. The Marlies play their regular season finale at home against their QEW rival, the Hamilton Bulldogs – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – on Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday’s games will both air live on Rogers TV Cable 10 in Toronto and 63 in Scarborough. Fans can listen to all Toronto Marlies regular season games on THE FAN 590 or fan590.com. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com.

Marlies Add Greg Scott

2009-04-07T08:53:00.001-04:00

April 6, 2009
Marlies Continue Playoff Push on Wednesday Night Against Rochester at Ricoh Coliseum
Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that forward Greg Scott has been reassigned to the Toronto Marlies.

Scott, 20, played in 65 games this season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, collecting 32 goals and 44 assists for 76 points. He ranked first on the Thunderbirds in goals, assists and points. The Victoria, B.C. native also skated in five playoff contests for Seattle, totaling six assists and two penalty minutes.

The 6’0, 188-pound left wing has appeared in 278 career games from 2005-09 with the Thunderbirds, posting 96 goals and 109 assists for 205 points.

The Marlies play their final three games of the 2008-09 regular season at Ricoh Coliseum, beginning on Wednesday night when they play the Rochester Americans – AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers – at 7:00 p.m. Toronto hosts the Manitoba Moose – AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks – on Friday night at 7 p.m. The Marlies play their regular season finale against their QEW rival, the Hamilton Bulldogs – AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – on Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum. Fans can listen to all Toronto Marlies regular season games on THE FAN 590 or fan590.com. For ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Roast Moose....Well Done!

2009-04-06T11:34:00.000-04:00

April 4, 2009
Toronto Holds It's Playoff Spot In Fifth Straight Win Against Moose

(WINNIPEG, MB) - They put themselves in the driver's seat with a win last night, and kept control of their own destiny with another one on Saturday.

Justin Pogge made 36 saves while Darryl Boyce scored the game winning goal as the Marlies earned a 3-2 win over the Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg on Saturday night. While the Crunch also won, it still gives Toronto a one point lead for the final playoff spot in the North Division with three games left in the regular season.

Jiri Tlusty and Joe Ryan also scored for Toronto while Jason Krog and Mark Cullen had the Moose goals.

After Krog opened the scoring in the first, the Marlies scored three unanswered goals, to spot a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.

Curtis Sanford made 25 saves for the Moose, who were 0 for 6 on the power play, while Toronto was 0 for 2.

The Marlies next host Rochester on Wednesday night.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Take Game 1 of Moose Series

2009-04-06T11:33:00.000-04:00

April 3, 2009
Pogge Makes 26 Saves For Win As Marlies Are Back In Playoff Spot

(WINNIPEG, MB) – In the see-saw battle for the playoffs, the Marlies are back in the drivers seat for the final spot in the North Division.

Justin Pogge made 26 saves and Jay Rosehill scored the game winning goal early in the third period as Toronto scored a 3-1 win over the Manitoba Moose on Friday night in Winnipeg.
Joe Ryan and Ryan Hamilton had the other Toronto goals, while Dusty Collins had the loan Moose goal.

Ryan opened the scoring on the power play early in the second period, when his shot towards the net, was tipped off the stick of Nathan McIver and past Cory Schneider for the lead. Collins tied the game midway through the period, when Alexandre Bolduc set him up in front for a wide open net making it a 1-1 game.

In the third, Rosehill knocked down a puck behind the Moose net, and tucked in a wrap-around shot behind Schneider for the eventual game winner. Toronto weathered the storm late in the third, before Hamilton added the empty net goal to seal the win.
Schneider finished with 23 saves on the night.

Thanks to a 3-2 shootout win by Rockford over Syracuse, the Marlies have a one point lead over the Crunch for the final playoff spot in the North.

The Moose and Marlies will tangle again on Saturday night in Winnipeg.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Boyce Named AHL Man of the Year

2009-04-02T09:19:00.000-04:00

March 30, 2009

The Toronto Marlies are proud to announce that forward Darryl Boyce has been named the team’s winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Toronto community during the 2008-09 season.In addition to Boyce’s contributions on the ice, he donated his time on numerous occasions to have a positive impact in the community.

This season he’s made over 20 charitable appearances and also dyed his hair pink for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation to raise awareness for women’s cancer and domestic abuse. He held hockey clinics to teach coaches about the mental and physical preparations for young hockey players. Boyce was also heavily involved in the Toronto Marlies anti-bullying assemblies. This community initiative sees him speak at various schools throughout the GTA.

In recognition of his efforts, Boyce will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming Marlies home game.

Boyce is now one of 29 finalists for the AHL’s 2008-09 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced by the American Hockey League in the coming weeks.

The Marlies make their final road trip of the season when they take on the Manitoba Moose – AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks – on Friday and Saturday night at the MTS Centre. Toronto returns home on Wednesday, April 8 to take on the Rochester Americans – AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers – at 7:00 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Marlies Edged in Shootout

2009-03-30T08:40:00.000-04:00

March 29, 2009
Marlies Crunched By Syracuse In ShootoutMarlies now tied with Syracuse for Final Playoff Spot

(TORONTO) – The Toronto Marlies fell to the Syracuse Crunch 4-3 in a shootout on Sunday afternoon in front of 5,925 fans at Ricoh Coliseum. Tim Stapleton had two points, but was unable to add to his league leading shootout goal total.

Nikita Filatov took advantage of an early power play opportunity, netting his 15th of the season past Adam Munro. Filatov’s marker came only 58 seconds into the game.

Tim Stapleton responded one minute later on a breakaway, roofing a wrist shot over the shoulder of Kevin Lalande. Jeremy Williams and Bates Battaglia each collected assists on the play.

Williams made it 2-1 on a Marlies power play two minutes later.

Filatov scored his second goal of the game on a 5-on-3 advantage at the 13:44 mark of the first frame.
Marlies captain Ben Ondrus scored on a penalty shot to put Toronto back in front 3-2. Ondrus came in and fired a snap shot past Lalande for his 10th goal of the season.

Michael Blunden snuck in behind the Marlies defence on a power play opportunity and buried his 11th goal of the season to tie the game 3-3. Blunden’s first shot was saved by Munro but he gathered his rebound and shot it past the Marlies goalie.

Both Munro and Lalande were sharp in the third frame turning aside 10 and 13 shots a piece, forcing the game into overtime. After a scoreless five minutes the game went to a shootout where Mayorov and Filatov each scored for Syracuse to secure the victory.

Marlies goaltender Adam Munro made 34 saves in the loss.

The Marlies and Crunch are now tied for the final playoff spot in the North Division.
The Marlies travel to Winnipeg to take on the Manitoba Moose next weekend on Friday and Saturday night at the MTS Centre. The Marlies next home game is on Wednesday, April 8 against the Rochester Americans.

ICE CHIPS: Adam Munro has won six of his past eight starts…Earlier in the day, Justin Pogge and Phil Oreskovic were reassigned to the Marlies…Entering today’s game, in the season series between the Crunch and Marlies, the team that’s scored the first goal has won each game…The Toronto Maple Leafs signed former Marlie Jay Harrison to an NHL contract on Friday…Former Marlie Bryan Muir was in attendance at the game today…The Marlies debuted their new scoreboard at the game…Jeremy Williams was named the games first star for the seventh time this season.

SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
1. SYR N. Filatov (15) (MacDonald, Blunden) 0:57 PP
1. TOR T. Stapleton (24) (Battaglia, Williams) 1:49
2. TOR J. Williams (26) (Stapleton, Boyce) 3:28 PP
2. SYR N. Filatov 2 (16) (MacKenzie, York) 6:16 PP

Second Period
3. TOR B. Ondrus (10) (penalty shot) 3:28
3. SYR M. Blunden (11) (Clitsome, Lalande) 6:25

Third Period
NO SCORING

Overtime
No Scoring

Shootout
4. SYR M. Mayorov (SOW)

Shots
TOR SYR
32 37

THREE STARS
1. TOR: Jeremy Williams
2. TOR: Adam Munro
3. SYR: Nikita Filatov

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com

Munro Comes Up Big in Philly

2009-03-30T08:39:00.000-04:00

March 27, 2009
Munro Makes 27 Saves In Toronto’s Final Game At The Spectrum

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – The slogan is Remember The Spectrum and the Marlies have a few good memories for their final game in “America’s Showplace”.

Adam Munro made 27 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Marlies earned a very big 3-0 win over the Phantoms, increasing their lead to 3 points over Syracuse, while dealing Philadelphia a dent in their playoff hopes.

Tim Stapleton, Jaime Sifers and Ryan Hamilton had the Toronto goals, as the Marlies snapped a four game losing skid.

Stapleton opened the scoring 1:22 into the game, when his shot from the right circle; beat Scott Munroe on the stick side. Sifers increased the lead to 2-0 at the midway point of the period on the power play, when he tapped home a Jeremy Williams rebound into the Philly goal.
Hamilton scored the loan goal of the second period, when he found a loose puck in the slot and tucked it behind Munroe for the 3-0 lead.

The Phantoms pressed in the third period firing 15 shots on Munro, but he was solid keeping the door closed. That included a power play when the Phantoms called Bates Battaglia on an illegal stick.

The Marlies were 1 for 4 on the power play, while holding the Phantoms scoreless on five man advantages.

Toronto will face the Penguins in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.

SOURCE: torontomarlies.com