Radim Zohorna makes first impression, Toronto continues strong push: Marlies Weekly

It was a losing week for the Marlies, but they did get an exciting addition, who could provide some needed size to the forward group.
Toronto began the week with a school day game against Rockford, hoping to extend their lead in the North Division. And well, they did just that.
Max Ellis scored two big goals for the Marlies, in the second and third periods, to help them push past the IceHogs 5-3. Pontus Holmberg also found the back of the net, with an assist going to Tommy Miller, who had two in the game.
Erik Kallgren stopped 21 of the 24 shots he faced and at the end of the game had an 8-5-2 record with an .885 save percentage.
Those school day games are loud and likely helped give Toronto a push in the right direction. However, you couldn’t say the same about Friday’s game in Hershey.
The Marlies started off very slow only tallying 11 shots through the first two periods while the Bears put up double that. Hershey was able to find the back of the net three times in the second period, and honestly, it didn’t look like Toronto had it in them to come back.
But they pushed.
Marc Johnstone started the scoring, finding the back of the net for his …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

Bobby McMann’s strong push, Keith Petruzzelli’s effort, and more: Marlies Weekly

The Toronto Marlies had their hands full this week with the finishing of a postponed game, a school-day (11 a.m.) game, and two regularly scheduled games.
Joseph Woll got the start in last Sunday’s two periods of action against the Manitoba Moose. It was the continuation of a game that was postponed in early January due to a medical emergency involving a fan.
It was 1-1 at the end of the first period in that one, and Toronto was able to add three more goals on Sunday, winning the game 4-2.
Woll only allowed one goal on 22 shots for a stellar game as he continues to bungee up and down between the NHL and AHL.
The Marlies’ next game came on Wednesday against the Utica Comets in what was the school-day game. This matchup had plenty of kids, and if I had to be honest, it was the loudest game I’ve ever been to at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
That game ended in a 2-1 win for Toronto. Bobby McMann and Dryden Hunt had the goals while Erik Kallgren stopped 45 of 46 shots in what was arguably his best game as a Marlie.
“It’s nice to show what I can do.” Said Kallgren on Wednesday. “I know that I can play at a high level, so it feels …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

Woll breaks record, Abruzzese clicking, Johnstone’s first, and Toronto’s All-Stars: Marlies Weekly

Woll breaks record, Abruzzese clicking, Johnstone’s first, and Toronto’s All-Stars: Marlies Weekly

Another week, another stretch of games won by the Marlies in what has been a remarkable season to date.
Toronto had four games scheduled throughout the last week, though they only played three. On Friday night, while the Marlies were facing the Manitoba Moose, a fan experienced a medical emergency at the end of the first period.
Both teams — and the AHL — agreed to suspend the game when it was 1-1 after the opening frame. The AHL said the game will be completed at a later date though they haven’t specified when that might be just yet.
The other three games that the Marlies played this week went very well. Matter of fact, Toronto won every one of them.
They defeated Laval 4-2 last Sunday, then beat the Manitoba Moose 3-2 on Wednesday, and after their game was suspended on Friday, the Marlies bussed to Rochester and won their game against the Amerks on Saturday, 7-5.
Joseph Woll played in all three wins this week and has since broke the Marlies record for most consecutive wins in a season. And after defeating Rochester on Saturday, the 24-year-old is now undefeated in 10-straight games this season while holding a .926 save percentage.
READ MORE: ‘He’s never out of the play’: Joseph Woll ties Marlies record and could break it w …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

How the Marlies leadership group looks with Rich Clune retired

How the Marlies leadership group looks with Rich Clune retired

Rich Clune was the leader of the Marlies for the last two seasons and with him retiring from hockey, will the Toronto Marlies be on the lookout for a new leader?
Well, no. More like a group of leaders.
Last season was an interesting year for plenty of players down in the AHL — the Marlies especially.
Filled with mostly younger players, Toronto was a team that was weaving their way through a regular season which brought its complications. Whether it be injuries or inconsistent play, it was clear that this season would allow some players a fresh start.
And a fresh look at the team’s leadership group, too.
There isn’t very much that has changed with the Marlies over the summer. There were some players who departed, like Brett Seney, Josh Ho-Sang, Antti Suomela, Marc Michaelis, Kristians Rubins, and Joseph Duszak. But, aside from those players, the roster has stayed fairly concrete.
One of the bigger additions over the summer was Logan Shaw, who signed a three-year AHL deal with the Marlies. The 30-year-old is joining Toronto after two seasons with the Belleville Senators where he captained the team during last season.
If there’s anyone who’s going to be a big part of the Marlies leadership group, it’s him. There’s also Joseph Blandisi, who joined the team …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation