Post by torontogm on May 2, 2019 17:21:34 GMT -5
Toronto, ON - "Well, we're half way there," summed up goalie Jared Coreau shortly after the Toronto Marlies knocked out the Cleveland Monsters in four straight games. Coreau, who was spectacular in a 34 save performance, has been the star of the playoffs for Toronto.
The club had a rough first round series against the Texas Stars, but came together and were able to make short work of Cleveland. The rest will be welcomed, but teams often struggle to stay sharp when there is a long layoff.
"We are well aware of what lies ahead and we will be ready," said head coach Dave Hakstol. "We may have won four straight, but Cleveland put up one hell of a fight every night. They threw everything at us tonight and dominated much of the game. We have Coreau to thank for the extended break tonight."
The Marlies came into the series having lost two of their three games against Cleveland in the regular series, but those games were early in the season when they were still trying to find their identity. Toronto has been a very streaky club this season with two seven game winning streaks, but three four game losing streaks as well.
"That is something we have been working on all year - trying not to get too high or too low after each win," said Hakstol. "That is something that comes with maturity and AsHL teams are generally pretty young. We're learning how to play the right way and go about our business one day at a time."
Toronto will await the outcome of the Seattle-Louisville series to see who they play, though the Thunderbirds have a 3-1 series lead. "Those are a couple of tough teams. We'd be happy if they continue to beat each other up," said winger Kenny Agostino. "We don't really care who we play, we'd just like to have them coming in tired and sore."
In the meantime the Marlies can sit and rest their bumps and bruises.
--- Damien Crox for the Toronto Scar
The club had a rough first round series against the Texas Stars, but came together and were able to make short work of Cleveland. The rest will be welcomed, but teams often struggle to stay sharp when there is a long layoff.
"We are well aware of what lies ahead and we will be ready," said head coach Dave Hakstol. "We may have won four straight, but Cleveland put up one hell of a fight every night. They threw everything at us tonight and dominated much of the game. We have Coreau to thank for the extended break tonight."
The Marlies came into the series having lost two of their three games against Cleveland in the regular series, but those games were early in the season when they were still trying to find their identity. Toronto has been a very streaky club this season with two seven game winning streaks, but three four game losing streaks as well.
"That is something we have been working on all year - trying not to get too high or too low after each win," said Hakstol. "That is something that comes with maturity and AsHL teams are generally pretty young. We're learning how to play the right way and go about our business one day at a time."
Toronto will await the outcome of the Seattle-Louisville series to see who they play, though the Thunderbirds have a 3-1 series lead. "Those are a couple of tough teams. We'd be happy if they continue to beat each other up," said winger Kenny Agostino. "We don't really care who we play, we'd just like to have them coming in tired and sore."
In the meantime the Marlies can sit and rest their bumps and bruises.
--- Damien Crox for the Toronto Scar