Marlies Regain Series Lead

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