The Toronto Marlies head into the next round of the Calder Cup playoffs – the North Division Finals – after defeating the Utica Comets in four games.
It was a start to the series between Toronto and Utica where we were treated to some extra hockey in Game 1 as the Marlies won that. The excitement would be to say the least as the Marlies battled their way from losing 3-0 in the match.
There was hope that Game 2 would bring the same excitement, and it did, just not for the home side.
The Marlies allowed seven goals in the second game of the series, stopping any fanfare from Toronto after the excitement two nights earlier. What the Marlies did, though, was the determination and no-give-up attitude they showed all year long.
“We’ll stay positive. It’s a series for a reason.” Marlies head coach Greg Moore stated after game two.
And that’s what they did.
After two days of practice, the team traveled to Utica where they would play their next two games without knowing whether or not they would play another game at Coca-Cola Coliseum this year.
But before the wheels hit the road, they managed to recover the Maple Leafs’ Eric Kalgren — a massive addition after Keith Petruzzelli allowed 12 goals in the first two games of the series.
Calgren, with both NHL and SHL playoff experience, proved not only that he could be counted on, but also that he would be their man for future Calder Cup Playoffs.
The 26-year-old allowed just three goals with two games in Utica, grabbed both wins, and left New York with a . 945 percentage. That’s big for Toronto, but also for Calgren who’s had a tough regular season in the AHL.
In this series, there wasn’t a single player Marlies could count on. Every player has stepped up dramatically.
Of all the players who participated in every game in this series, only Marshall Al Refai got the score sheet. Logan Shaw, Kyle Clifford, and Joseph Blandizzi—Marlies’ lead group—each had five points in the series.
Nick Abbruzzese was the only player with four points. Ryan Czyszowski, who scored two big goals with Toronto in Game 3, put up three points in the series, as did Semyon Der-Arguchentsev, Pontus Holmberg, Alex Stiff and Toby Nimela.
This was a series that the Marlies fought hard and won for every player in that locker room.
Toronto will face either Syracuse Crunch or American Rochester in the North Division Finals. They ended their series on Saturday night.
But the Marlies have already announced the date for their next tour. Since Toronto has home ice advantage, Games 1, 2, and 5 will be played at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Game 1 – Thursday, May 11th at 7 PM EST
Game Two – Saturday, May 13th at 4pm EST
Game 3 – TBD
* Game 4 – TBD
* Game 5 – Sunday, May 21 at 4pm EST
* If necessary
The city of Toronto has been rocking hockey teams in the postseason as well as the Blue Jays season in the middle of the swing. And the fun will continue as the Marlies continue their quest for the Calder Cup. Another 11 wins to go.