Marlies Bite Dogs

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