Marlies outlast Rampage in playoff opener
The Toronto Marlies opened their 2008 playoff season with a win over the San Antonio Rampage on Wednesday night. Jiri Tlusty scored on a wraparound with 6:31 remaining in the third period to lift the Marlies to a 4-3 victory.
"No one was around me," said a humble Tlusty after the game when asked to describe the play. "I just decided to shoot and (Rampage goalie) Al Montoya went down and opened up, glove high."
Scott Clemmensen earned the nod in goal, making 28 saves. Head coach Greg Gilbert referred to the veteran's experience as the main factor in naming Clemmensen the starting netminder over Justin Pogge. "With the lineup we have right now, we have a lot of guys who haven't had a whole lot of playoff experience, especially our younger guys. I think going with a guy with a little more experience in the pipes might be a little more calming experience for the rest of the group."
Kris Newbury, John Mitchell and Alex Foster scored the other Marlies goals.
Former Leaf and Marlie Brendan Bell had a goal for the visitors. "Just being in Toronto and being around the hockey feel is fun," said Bell. "I love playing against my buddies and my old teammates. It's a thrill. But, it'd be a lot more fun to beat them for sure!"
The game was played before a surprisingly disappointing turnout of only 1,063 spectators, the Marlies lowest attendance figure this season.
Game #2 of the series is on Friday night.
Forward lines: Tlusty-Mitchell-Ondrus, Murphy-Foster-Aubin, Battaglia-Newbury-Ling, Leveille-Gillati-Rogers
Links: Game Summary | Event Summary | Game Day Thread
"No one was around me," said a humble Tlusty after the game when asked to describe the play. "I just decided to shoot and (Rampage goalie) Al Montoya went down and opened up, glove high."
Scott Clemmensen earned the nod in goal, making 28 saves. Head coach Greg Gilbert referred to the veteran's experience as the main factor in naming Clemmensen the starting netminder over Justin Pogge. "With the lineup we have right now, we have a lot of guys who haven't had a whole lot of playoff experience, especially our younger guys. I think going with a guy with a little more experience in the pipes might be a little more calming experience for the rest of the group."
Kris Newbury, John Mitchell and Alex Foster scored the other Marlies goals.
Former Leaf and Marlie Brendan Bell had a goal for the visitors. "Just being in Toronto and being around the hockey feel is fun," said Bell. "I love playing against my buddies and my old teammates. It's a thrill. But, it'd be a lot more fun to beat them for sure!"
The game was played before a surprisingly disappointing turnout of only 1,063 spectators, the Marlies lowest attendance figure this season.
Game #2 of the series is on Friday night.
Forward lines: Tlusty-Mitchell-Ondrus, Murphy-Foster-Aubin, Battaglia-Newbury-Ling, Leveille-Gillati-Rogers
Defence pairings: Harrington-Sifers, Wozniewski-Muir, Kronwall-Oreskovic
Goaltenders: Clemmensen (W 60:00, 28 SV, 3 GA), Pogge (0:00)Links: Game Summary | Event Summary | Game Day Thread
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