Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey News and Views | brought to you by TMLfans.ca

Marlies take two games to one lead on Heat

Nicolas Deschamps gets three assists
May 5: Marlies 4 vs. Abbotsford 1

Marlies scorers: Kadri (3), Frattin (4), Dupuis (2), Mueller (1)
Heat scorers: Sylvester (4)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:: Hamilton-Zigomanis-Kadri, Colborne-D’Amigo-Frattin, Mueller-Dupuis-Deschamps, Rosehill-Acton-Scott
Defence pairings: Blacker-Gardiner, Fraser-Holzer, Mikus-Gysbers
Goaltenders: Scrivens (Win 59:10 minutes played, 20 saves, 1 GA), Rynnas (0:00)

Recap:
It took just 58 seconds for the Toronto Marlies to set the tone in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Final, the first of three consecutive games to be played in Abbotsford. Nazem Kadri’s wraparound goal on the Marlies’ first shot of the game sparked the team on route to a 4-1 win over the Heat to take a two games to one lead in the series.

Kadri’s goal came against Heat goalie Leland Irving, who was inserted into the lineup in favour of Danny Taylor, the netminder who had start for Abbotsford in each of their playoff games before last night.
Continue Reading…

Marlies pull even with Heat with 5-1 win

Ben Scrivens frustrates Heat shooters making 37 saves
May 3: Marlies 5 vs. Abbotsford 1

Marlies scorers: Hamilton (1), Frattin (3), D’Amigo (6), Holzer (1), Kadri (2)
Heat scorers: Rheault (3)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:: Hamilton-Zigomanis-Kadri, Colborne-D’Amigo-Frattin, D’Amigo-Dupuis-Deschamps, Rosehill-Acton-Scott
Defence pairings: Blacker-Gardiner, Fraser-Holzer, Mikus-Gysbers
Goaltenders: Scrivens (Win 58:52 minutes played, 37 saves, 1 GA), Rynnas (0:00)

Recap:
The Toronto Marlies didn’t disappoint their home fans at Ricoh Coliseum Thursday night, getting goals from five different skaters in a 5-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The win equaled the Western Conference Semi-Final at one game apiece with the series going back to B.C. for the next three games.

Goaltender Ben Scrivens was spectacular in net for Toronto. Many of his 37 saves came courtesy of his quick glove hand at close range. Scrivens had to be particularly solid on the Marlies penalty-kill as Abbotsford was awarded a total of three 5-on-3 power-plays, the first of which lasted the full two minutes.
Continue Reading…

Marlies drop Game One to Abbotsford

Frattin gets the lone Toronto goal
May 1: Marlies 1 vs. Abbotsford 3

Marlies scorers: Frattin (2)
Heat scorers: Reinhart (1), Breen (1), Desbiens (1)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:: Hamilton-Zigomanis-Kadri, Colborne-D’Amigo-Frattin, D’Amigo-Dupuis-Deschamps, Rosehill-Acton-Scott
Defence pairings: Blacker-Gardiner, Fraser-Holzer, Mikus-Gysbers
Goaltenders: Scrivens (Loss 58:32 minutes played, 26 saves, 2 GA), Rynnas (0:00), (empty net, 1 GA).

Recap:
After a slow start, a third period burst of energy wasn’t enough for the Marlies to salvage the first game of their Western Conference semi-final against the Abbotsford Heat.

Toronto seemed to have few answers in solving Heat goalie Danny Taylor, eventually dropping a 3-1 decision at Ricoh Coliseum.
Continue Reading…

Reading Royals Review

Reading affiliation starting to pay off for Leafs

READING, Pa. – Four seasons have come and gone for the Reading Royals as ECHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs and Marlies. The on-ice results have been reasonable as Reading has qualified for the playoffs the last three seasons. But more importantly from a developmental point of view, the players assigned to Reading by the Leafs are improving their games while at the “AA” level.
Continue Reading…

What Now? What to do in the aftermath of the Leafs collapse

April 29, 2012 in Blogs 0

By: Kevin Striukas (TMLfans McLeaf)
Desperate times call for desperate measures and these are desperate times for Leafs management.

The collapse of the season for the Leafs has put Burke in the hot seat; the team he placed his confidence in choked and failed to perform. After four years on the job the lack of results is a cause for tension for Leafs fans. If Brian Burke doesn’t retool his team and make them successful quickly he might find himself out of a job.
Continue Reading…

TMLfans.ca Conference Semi-Final playoff predictions

April 27, 2012 in Blogs 0

Here’s a recap of Round 1:

Western Conference Predictions:

Vancouver over Los Angeles in 6 games – Missed this one by longer than the country mile by which Ron Wilson thought Dion Phaneuf was the league’s best defenceman.
St. Louis over San Jose in 5 games – Correct in winner, and number of games.
Phoenix over Chicago in 6 games – Correct in winner, and number of games.
Nashville over Detroit in 7 games – It was Nashville on 5; thought the Wings would put up more of a fight, but they were banged up.