Post by torontogm on Apr 5, 2012 17:31:44 GMT -5
Toronto, ON - The Marlies dominated from the opening faceoff, and if not for stellar goaltending by Hamilton goalie Cedrick Desjardins, it could have been ugly. Desjardins turned aside 44 of the 49 shots he faced, while Ben Bishop allowed 3 goals on just 15 shots in an effort to keep the game interesting.
In fact, Bishop, who has had a solid season, was probably the only real weak spot in a very strong effort.
"I could have played better, but the boys pulled one out for me," said Bishop.
"Benny has won us a few games, as have all of our goalies, so it's no big deal," said captain Toby Petersen.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead by 13:10 of the first on goals by Harrison Reed and Brandon Kozun, in spite of the Marlies' domination. Jay Harrison finally broke through at 18:51 to bring the game closer.
"We were really squeezing our sticks out there, and Desjardins was making it look easy. My goal was a bit flukey, but it seemed to break through the mystique," said Harrison.
Alex Berry tied the game early in the second before Mark Olver put the 'Dogs up by one. But after that, it was all Marlies. Jiri Tlusty scored a powerplay goal, followed by tallies by Jeremy Williams and Thomas Beauregard in a period where the Marlies outshot Hamilton 20-6.
The third period was a tighter affair, as Toronto could only muster 11 more shots to Hamilton's three.
Toronto has dominated the AsHL regular season the past two years, finishing first overall in 2009 and winning their division but finishing second overall in 2010. In both seasons they were dumped in the first round. This year it took until the second-last game of the season to clinch.
"With the great improvement to a couple of teams in our conference, we weren't convinced we would finish first, but we did expect to be in the top three or four," said coach Jim Schoenfeld, "but I am pleased we made it. At times this year it looked like we might not."
Just like their NsHL big brothers the Marlies came on down the stretch. The Leafs are currently not a playoff team, but they are within striking distance.
"As an organization we expected to have both teams in the playoffs, but considering our disasterous start for both clubs, we are reasonably satisfied with this result, and are pleased with the way our players have battled against the odds," said GM Jade Graber.
The Marlies have a few days off before their final game of the season against the Kansas City Gears. The club is expected to rest some of their veteran players and let some of their press box sitters work off some rust.
"Some of our players have been real patient and working hard in practice. They deserve a game so they are ready in case we need them in the playoffs," said Schoenfeld.
The Marlies are hoping that they can atone for a weak regular season by doing what they were unable to do the past two years by winning at least one playoff round. They are almost certain to face the powerhouse Rochester Americans unless Chilliwack goes winless and the Amerks run the table. Neither team is a particularly appealing option, but that's how their opponents have felt in the past.
"We can't wait to play the underdog role this year. Expectations are low, so the pressure is off," said Petersen.
"But our own expectations are high," he quickly added with a grin.
You can bet the Marlies will be ready to go come playoff time.
-- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News
In fact, Bishop, who has had a solid season, was probably the only real weak spot in a very strong effort.
"I could have played better, but the boys pulled one out for me," said Bishop.
"Benny has won us a few games, as have all of our goalies, so it's no big deal," said captain Toby Petersen.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead by 13:10 of the first on goals by Harrison Reed and Brandon Kozun, in spite of the Marlies' domination. Jay Harrison finally broke through at 18:51 to bring the game closer.
"We were really squeezing our sticks out there, and Desjardins was making it look easy. My goal was a bit flukey, but it seemed to break through the mystique," said Harrison.
Alex Berry tied the game early in the second before Mark Olver put the 'Dogs up by one. But after that, it was all Marlies. Jiri Tlusty scored a powerplay goal, followed by tallies by Jeremy Williams and Thomas Beauregard in a period where the Marlies outshot Hamilton 20-6.
The third period was a tighter affair, as Toronto could only muster 11 more shots to Hamilton's three.
Toronto has dominated the AsHL regular season the past two years, finishing first overall in 2009 and winning their division but finishing second overall in 2010. In both seasons they were dumped in the first round. This year it took until the second-last game of the season to clinch.
"With the great improvement to a couple of teams in our conference, we weren't convinced we would finish first, but we did expect to be in the top three or four," said coach Jim Schoenfeld, "but I am pleased we made it. At times this year it looked like we might not."
Just like their NsHL big brothers the Marlies came on down the stretch. The Leafs are currently not a playoff team, but they are within striking distance.
"As an organization we expected to have both teams in the playoffs, but considering our disasterous start for both clubs, we are reasonably satisfied with this result, and are pleased with the way our players have battled against the odds," said GM Jade Graber.
The Marlies have a few days off before their final game of the season against the Kansas City Gears. The club is expected to rest some of their veteran players and let some of their press box sitters work off some rust.
"Some of our players have been real patient and working hard in practice. They deserve a game so they are ready in case we need them in the playoffs," said Schoenfeld.
The Marlies are hoping that they can atone for a weak regular season by doing what they were unable to do the past two years by winning at least one playoff round. They are almost certain to face the powerhouse Rochester Americans unless Chilliwack goes winless and the Amerks run the table. Neither team is a particularly appealing option, but that's how their opponents have felt in the past.
"We can't wait to play the underdog role this year. Expectations are low, so the pressure is off," said Petersen.
"But our own expectations are high," he quickly added with a grin.
You can bet the Marlies will be ready to go come playoff time.
-- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News