Marlies Report - June 9, 2008

By Rob Del Mundo

 

The Toronto Marlies' drive for the Calder Cup came to an end on May 23 with a 4-2 loss at AllState Arena in Chicago. Toronto dropped the North Division Final in five games. In a common refrain that was echoed throughout the entire playoffs, the Marlies' unheralded penchant for taking bad penalties was the team's downfall. The Marlies were in front by a score of 2-0 in the series-clinching game before surrendering three consecutive power-play goals. Chicago would never relinquish the lead following their scoring barrage. In fact, the only goal that the Wolves scored at even strength over the final 3 games of the series was an empty net goal at the end of Game #5.

 

Goaltender Justin Pogge was named to the starter's role after the Marlies dropped the first three games of their third round series. Pogge was stellar in staving off his team's elimination in Game #4 at Ricoh Coliseum, making 30 saves for the win. The 22-year-old netminder took the defeat in the deciding game of the series with little help in front of him as his team had trouble staying out of the penalty box.

 

Throughout the entire playoffs, Marlies coach Greg Gilbert was questioned for his decision to start Scott Clemmensen ahead of Pogge; a move which created controversy among many fans and media members. This author's position, in support of Gilbert's decision, has been stated many times in previous columns, and bears no unnecessary repetition, in the interest of space. Full credit is given to Pogge particularly for his performance in Game #4. Nonetheless, the experience of Clemmensen, especially at the NHL level, proved to be beneficial to the team in winning a pair of playoff rounds.

 

An interesting observation among Gilbert's critics is that many of them - whether professional writers or amateur bloggers - have never attended, or covered, a game at Ricoh Coliseum, attempting to prove their point through statistical analysis (which had both goalies practically even), without considering the intangible factors such as experience. Many pro-Pogge supporters voiced their displeasure, on internet blogs and message boards, going so far as the most extreme example that suggested that the Marlies and/or the Leafs organization would have been better off losing in the playoffs with Pogge in goal than winning the Calder Cup with Clemmensen in goal. The absurdity of such a notion should be self-evident. The last time we checked, the Marlies are about a team, not one single player.

 

Speaking of the team, Cliff Fletcher and Mike Penny will have their hands full in deciding which players to re-sign for the forthcoming season. Clemmensen is an unrestricted free agent, and the signing of third-string goalie Michael Ouzas - an alumnus of the University of New Brunswick - paves a possible exit for Clemmensen should Pogge officially be given the reins as the starter.

 

David Ling and Andy Wozniewski are also unrestricted, but the team's biggest name UFA is defenceman Jay Harrison. The Whitby native and Group VI unrestricted free agent was easily the team's top blueliner throughout the playoffs and - if re-signed - would be given strong consideration for a spot with the Maple Leafs, in training camp..

 

The team's restricted free agents include Ben Ondrus, Chris Harrington, Alex Foster and Jamie Sifers. Last week the Leafs signed 25-year-old Tim Stapleton, who has played the past two seasons for Jokerit in Finland.

 

The Marlies third-round opponents the Chicago Wolves are one win away from the Calder Cup title. Chicago won the first three games of the final series against Wilkes-Barre before the Penguins stormed off the mat with wins in Games #4 and #5. The series shifts back to AllState Arena on Wednesday.

 

Quick Hits:

- The Marlies' top scorers in the playoffs were David Ling (3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points), Kris Newbury (4-9-13), John Mitchell (8-4-12 and Jay Harrison (2-10-12).

- Head coach Greg Gilbert has one year remaining on his contract. Although two assistant coaching jobs are available with the Maple Leafs, it's likely that the heir apparent bench boss Ron Wilson will bring in his own assistants to fill those roles.

- With the Marlies dropping the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final in Chicago, game operations at Ricoh Coliseum attempted to inspire the home team by playing Journey's rock anthem Don't Stop Believin' in the late stages of Games #3 and #4. The song selection was dubious at best, in the opinion of this author, given that the song was the rallying cry for the 2005 World Series champions the White Sox. Perhaps fuelling the Windy City connection wasn't the best idea.

 

 

Quick Quotes:

- In an interview with Mike Ulmer of MapleLeafs.com, head coach Greg Gilbert defended his decision to play Clemmensen ahead of Pogge throughout most of the playoffs. "We're not focused on one individual, we're focused on 24 or 25 or 26, all the players we have with us. Justin is one player. He has come a long way and his day is going to come. My obligation is to help these guys become pros and learn how to play pro. Winning breeds winning. We had some success this year. If we can win here, they understand the situation on why things are done they way they are...either at the next level or here."

- Fletcher defended his coach's choice of goalies. "It wasn't fair to the rest of the team, to not go with the goalie he thought gave it the best chance of winning," Fletcher told the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby. "It was based on what happened in the last month of the regular season. Goalkeeping is a difficult position and the mental aspect is such a big part, but a young guy also has to prove himself."

- Fletcher on Jiri Tlutsty, who scored in the Marlies' opening game of the playoffs, but found the net just once in the next 18 games. "He hit the wall after a long season, but it was more games than he ever played before. We thought he played a lot better in Toronto once he had some better linemates." (Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun).

The Marlies Report will return for the start of the 2008-09 AHL season. Thanks for reading.