Marlies Season Ends After 4-2 Loss In Game 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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