Toronto Marlies Improve to 4-1 After Three Games in Three Nights

The dreaded three games in three nights did not pose any problems for the Toronto Marlies as they went 2-1 improving their record to 4-1 to start the season.

The Toronto Marlies got off to a great start this season with a pair of victories at home against the Utica Comets but then had to prepare to play three games in three nights. This was a good test for a young Marlies team that will see its fair share of challenges this season. In the three games this weekend the Marlies went 2-1 losing their first game of the season to the Rochester Americans then winning back-to-back games at home against the Manitoba Moose.

Here’s a review of the Marlies three games:

5-2 Loss to the Rochester Americans

This was a tough game for the Marlies because they controlled the game five-on-five but special teams let them down. Kasperi Kapanen and Byron Froese each scored a goal while Garret Sparks let in four goals on 20 shots. The Marlies went 0-for-4 on the power play while Rochester went 3-for-7 on the power play. Linus Ullmark made 34 saves on 36 shots for the victory while Alexander Nylander collected an assist.

“I think it’s pretty apparent what went wrong and that was the special teams. Obviously, the penalty kill gives up three today and when our power play doesn’t score,” said Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe. “In the second period I thought we had good looks on the power play, just didn’t go in for us, maybe used up all our luck on those bounces and loose pucks around the net last weekend.”

While this game did not have the result the Marlies wanted it was a big lesson for them to try to improve their special teams and not leave a lot of space in the defensive zone. Brooks Laich made his debut for the Marlies and had some struggles at times failing to convert on a chance in the slot. Many forwards were unable to convert on chances in front of the net unlike Rochester who made the most of the mistakes from the Marlies.