After 11 days out of the game, the Marlies looked a bit rusty before returning to their old selves in Game 1 against the Utica Comets.
It wasn’t the best start for Toronto as they started the game like they haven’t played a game in over a week and a half. Utica started the game by scoring three consecutive goals – two on the first and one on the second – to take a 3-0 lead.
It seemed like a long shot at that point for Toronto. Inside the Marlies’ dressing room, however, it wasn’t what they thought.
Just three and a half minutes after Utica found the net for the third time on Thursday, Toronto responded with a goal of their own.
Mark Johnston finds Pontus Holmberg with a great pass and puts it past Niko Dos.#Marlies Cut Utica’s lead to 3-1. pic.twitter.com/lmZTm1gfMe
– Nick Barden (@nick Barden) April 28, 2023
Pontus Holmberg, the player who looked set to stay on the Maple Leafs earlier this season, has got Marlies on the board. But it was a fine pass from Mark Johnston that allowed Holmberg to find the back of the net.
1:17 after that, Toby Nimela found the back of the net by beating Nico Doss on his left shoulder, cutting Utica’s lead to just one goal.
Nick Abbruzzese discovers Toby Nimela is running late and gets hacked. He did nothing wrong, beating Nico Doss in his first qualifier.#Marlies Scored twice at 1:17 and Utica now trails 3-2. pic.twitter.com/czd6id4LIG
– Nick Barden (@nick Barden) April 28, 2023
Toronto – though late – is starting to get back into the game. Two minutes later, their leader, Logan Shaw, helped lead them to tie the game at three, with his first touchdown of the postseason on a power play.
Logan Shaw blows a disc from Nico Dawes during a power play. His first from the postseason.#Marlies He scored three consecutive goals to tie the match at 3-3. pic.twitter.com/ftraMaYoZc
– Nick Barden (@nick Barden) April 28, 2023
Toronto and Utica started the third period tied at 3-3, however Comets found the back of the net Just over halfway through the final frame.
However, the determined Marlies didn’t let that bother them, because 35 seconds later, Shaw scored again for Toronto.
Logan Shaw and Joseph Blandisi played a game of snub before Shaw buried his second goal of the game, just 36 seconds after Utica’s goal.#Marlies The Comets tied it 4-4 going into the third period. pic.twitter.com/KEd9n3bfRe
– Nick Barden (@nick Barden) April 28, 2023
A massive goal from the Marlies captain in what has been a whirlwind season for the 30-year-old.
With nine minutes left in the third period, it felt like this game was destined for overtime. But with 7:19 left, Semyon Dir-Argochentsev turned and fired a shot That tricked Daws, by sliding straight along the ice at the back of the net.
At that point, it looked like Toronto had closed the game. Until it was not.
With an empty net and an extra striker on the ice, Utica was pressing hard for a goal. Chance after chance, though nothing happens.
However, Alexander Holtz found a way around Keith Petrozzelli, tying the game at five and sending the game into overtime.
Alexander Holtz scored with 52 seconds left in the third period.#Marlies Utica tied 5-5. pic.twitter.com/Bs7WwPXoMQ
– Nick Barden (@nick Barden) April 28, 2023
Toronto went into overtime and played as they had in the last two periods: controlling the game and excelling in the offensive zone. Both teams traded chances back and forth with each having ample opportunities to finish the game.
It looked like – like the third period – this game was heading into double overtime.
That was until Joseph Blandesi had his say. After a great play by Shaw to steal the puck, the captain found Blandesi, and caught the ball before launching it into the net. The rest is history.
Josef Blandesi catches the puck and shoots it over Nico Dos’ shoulder in overtime.#Marlies Take Game 1 into overtime, winning 6-5. pic.twitter.com/BOBUrqwC1x
– Nick Barden (@nick Barden) April 28, 2023
“This team has proven all year that in moments like this (going 3-0 down), they can fight their way out. Today was another example of that.” Marlies coach Greg Moore said.
The Marlies first line of Abruzzese, Shaw and Blandisi combined for eight points on the night, three of which were goals. It was amazing, especially in the big moments on Thursday.
“They stepped up in the big moments of the game,” Moore said.
You can say the same about the streak of Johnstone, Holmberg, and Kyle Clifford as they combined three points and 16 shots in the game. These three players played very well specifically when it came to Utica territory entries.
“I thought they were our drivers today,” said Moore. Holmberg, Clifford, Johnston were absolutely fantastic.
“It was difficult for them to play against. They just played really straight and some kind of hockey is really needed in the playoffs and those guys brought a lot of momentum for us today.”
Toronto’s top six played exceptionally well today, especially in the very big moments. And that was led by Shaw, who had two big goals and, like I said, helped set up the overtime winner.
“(It was) a stellar performance,” Moore said with a smile. “Our captain did everything all season and to get the two big goals he scored and then in that effort, at that point in the period, to work again and strip the puck and then have the driver on target to be the flash screen was really cool and why he’s our captain.”
For a goalkeeper, losing 3-0 in a game can be really tough mentally. That’s what Petrozzelli had to deal with Thursday night.
Although after allowing three goals, he seemed to find his way, making plenty of saves in the process.
“That’s what he’s done all season,” Moore said. “He’s got a great mentality for being a goalkeeper. He’s really consistent and doesn’t let a lot stop him. He’s the perfect figure in the net.”
“Games like that, a goalkeeper has to make saves, he has to be one of your best players.” Nick Abruzzo said. “And I certainly thought it was.”
Mac Hollowell played his first game since fracturing his knee in January. He, to me, seemed like there was no missing match. But how did he feel?
“I feel like the first one, I kind of made myself put him at ease. But as the game went on, I felt like I was getting better and better.” said the 24-year-old.
“I didn’t expect him to move like he did,” Moore said. “He’s always been a great skater, and that’s what counts on his play, but he was really dancing there. You could tell he looked confident.
“(I’m) really happy for him, to have such an impact in an important game to be out for so long.”
The Clifford-Holmberg-Johnstone line played amazingly well, there’s no doubt about that. Although Holmberg, in particular, looked very dominant in his first North American playoff game.
Whether with or without the puck, the 24-year-old was very strong on the ice, and most of the time outplayed his opponent.
“(I saw) the Holmberg we knew, especially from the start of the season.” Moore said.
“He’s very good at holding on to the puck and extending the play into the attacking zone, and through the middle of the ring he finds open space and is very sneaky and sneaky to find pockets he can attack off the rush.”
The Marlies will likely practice on Friday before making their return home against Utica on Saturday. Game 2 is back inside Coca-Cola Coliseum, with the puck being dropped after 4 p.m. EST.