Post by torontogm on May 19, 2020 18:09:10 GMT -5
Toronto, ON - It has been a weird playoff season in Toronto, for sure. The Marlies' parent club expected to run though to the finals after finishing first overall in the NsHL only to collapse in the first round. The Marlies, who needed seven games to get past 7th seed Laval and then seven more to get past third seed Denver pull off a four game sweep of first place Louisville.
"It has been a strange playoff for sure," said coach Dave Hakstol. "The boys came in tired but hungry and I know they wanted to earn a rest before moving on. Mission accomplished."
"This feels really good to get here," said blueliner Brandon Hickey, who started the post season in the press box but has taken over as part of a very effective third pairing with Connor Clifton.
Toronto opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the game on a bit of a messy play. Travis Boyd had a shot blocked but Denis Gurianov corralled the puck and snapped a quick shot that Jordan Greenway deflected past a surprised Vitek Vanecek.
"That was a lucky bounce. Denny just swooped in and made me look good," said Greenway of the goal. "We were real lucky to get one early because Vanecek has been incredible this playoff and we knew we have to bury every little chance we get. Vanecek certainly tried to be the difference for Louisville as he kicked away 33 of his 36 shots.
Toronto came out of the first up 2 - 1 after Mason Marchment for Toronto and Travis St. Denis traded goals late in the period. The Thunder tied it up on a powerplay goal by Jordan Oesterle half way through the second. The Marlies carried the play in the that period, outshooting the Thunder 14 - 5. The home crowd was behind them and they managed to keep the pressure on going into the third.
In the third Dominic Toninato gathered in a rebound off the back boards after Connor Clifton had missed the net and tucked it home behind Vanecek. Jon Racine sealed the deal with an empty netter with 11 seconds left.
"We were pressing all night and just could not seem to solve Vanecek. He had robbed me on my other attempt, but he just couldn't get across fast enough when that puck wound up on my stick," said an elated Toninato, who is credited with the series winning goal.
In spite of the sweep, every Marlie talked about how they never felt like a lead was safe against the Thunder. "That is a tough team to play against. You don't win the regular season without being a good club," said coach Hakstol. "It's a relief to move on."
The Marlies will have a few days to rest up after playing 18 games in 35 days to get to this point. They will wait to see who prevails between the London Knights and Pensacola Ice Flyers, with the Knights currently up 3 games to 1.
--- Damien Crox for the Toronto Scar
"It has been a strange playoff for sure," said coach Dave Hakstol. "The boys came in tired but hungry and I know they wanted to earn a rest before moving on. Mission accomplished."
"This feels really good to get here," said blueliner Brandon Hickey, who started the post season in the press box but has taken over as part of a very effective third pairing with Connor Clifton.
Toronto opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the game on a bit of a messy play. Travis Boyd had a shot blocked but Denis Gurianov corralled the puck and snapped a quick shot that Jordan Greenway deflected past a surprised Vitek Vanecek.
"That was a lucky bounce. Denny just swooped in and made me look good," said Greenway of the goal. "We were real lucky to get one early because Vanecek has been incredible this playoff and we knew we have to bury every little chance we get. Vanecek certainly tried to be the difference for Louisville as he kicked away 33 of his 36 shots.
Toronto came out of the first up 2 - 1 after Mason Marchment for Toronto and Travis St. Denis traded goals late in the period. The Thunder tied it up on a powerplay goal by Jordan Oesterle half way through the second. The Marlies carried the play in the that period, outshooting the Thunder 14 - 5. The home crowd was behind them and they managed to keep the pressure on going into the third.
In the third Dominic Toninato gathered in a rebound off the back boards after Connor Clifton had missed the net and tucked it home behind Vanecek. Jon Racine sealed the deal with an empty netter with 11 seconds left.
"We were pressing all night and just could not seem to solve Vanecek. He had robbed me on my other attempt, but he just couldn't get across fast enough when that puck wound up on my stick," said an elated Toninato, who is credited with the series winning goal.
In spite of the sweep, every Marlie talked about how they never felt like a lead was safe against the Thunder. "That is a tough team to play against. You don't win the regular season without being a good club," said coach Hakstol. "It's a relief to move on."
The Marlies will have a few days to rest up after playing 18 games in 35 days to get to this point. They will wait to see who prevails between the London Knights and Pensacola Ice Flyers, with the Knights currently up 3 games to 1.
--- Damien Crox for the Toronto Scar