The opening weekend for the 2017-18 AHL Season has come and gone, and with that the Toronto Marlies are 2-0 to start the season.
This weekend at the Ricoh Coliseum, the Toronto Marlies opened up their campaign playing in a hard fought two game series versus the Utica Comets. The Marlies won by a score of 3-1 on Saturday and followed that up with a 4-3 victory on Sunday.
Between the pipes Garret Sparks got both starts and looked solid in both of those games. While Head Coach Sheldon Keefe was not as pleased with the second game on the weekend, Sparks still got the win and made some big saves to keep his team in the game. Coming out of the weekend Sparks has a .925 save percentage and a 2.00 Goals Against Average.
Talking to Coach Keefe post game about the newest addition in Calvin Pickard he said “We have a few goalies now, and are heading out on the road…we have some things to figure out”
So just when you think the Marlies might get some consistency in net, they go and add another piece to the puzzle.
Starting up front, there is so much depth so I will not tackle it all today. However, Kerby Rychel is off to a solid start by scoring twice this weekend.
Rychel is another player on the bubble, who looks like he gained half a step in the off season. This is massive. While he did score, he also beat out an icing call in the third period near the end of his shift. Is this a massive play? Nope, but these are the types of things Coaches love, helps a tired line out, and gets you noticed in a good way.
NHLer (IMO) Kasperi Kapanen is having a bit of a slow start. Knowing you are playing a league below where you should be is a tough challenge for many. I have zero doubt that he will be taking it up a notch in the very near future.
Miro Aaltonen is another guy who challenges for NHL ice. However, he is not resting on any accolades. Strong on the forecheck, I like the potential in this free wallet. I am sure we will be talking about him more as the year progresses.
Ben Freakin’ Smith the AHL killer. 3 points in two games he is leading the Marlies in scoring. Can he keep up that pace? No idea but I am getting his jersey.
Andreas Johnsson continues his excellent play from last season. Also with 3 points in two games he is showing that he can be considered as an NHL call up in the near future. Good speed, good awareness on the ice.
The Baby Faced Assassin. Nikita Soshnikov. Loved this kid as a Marlies player, as a Leafer and again as a Marlie. Two points in two games and is a plus 2. Irritating and skilled. Great combination to have. IMO a step up on a Leo Komarov. I wish he was a bit bigger…..and that makes me wish Carl Grundstrom was in the AHL this season. But I digress.
Along the blueline, which has been hyped up to be one of the best in the AHL this season, it appears that some time together is needed in order for the group to excel.
Positives from the weekend have to be the continued solid (if unspectacular play at times) of Travis Dermott. First pass is always on the tape, skates well and angles the opposition away from trouble.
He does look for a big hit at times to which gets him out of position, and a penchant for jumping into help out a teammate in a scrum. Both positives but must pick his spot better.
Timothy Liljegren scored his first goal in the AHL and for the Marlies on Sunday. Nothing fancy, but they all look great on the score sheet.
Liljegren skates as smooth as a morning lake breeze, but is still a small body and needs to work on moving the puck a bit quicker. I talked with him about that post game and he said “I am learning from watching others, and more practice”
Good kid, and Leafs fans should be excited about this one.
Clear some space on the mantel, @Timmeliljegren has his first as a Marlie.#MarliesLive pic.twitter.com/nvc9Pena1e
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 8, 2017
The rest of the blueline group is not flashy but I do like the addition of Vincent LoVerde. Seems to be a no nonsense type of player with a decent shot. Usually paired with Dermott, he is going to get his share of ice this season.
Justin Holl almost seems like he should be on a crappy NHL team. Can provide offense, nothing overly flashy but figure a team would give him a chance if the Leafs cannot. Wonder how much longer he embraces the toiling in the AHL if he knows he doesn’t stand a chance with the parent club?
Andrew Nielsen looks to have picked up a step this season, and with that a little more confidence with the puck. This is going to be very good at times….and then have some negative consequences. Two points in two games is a SOLID start.
Rinat Valiev. I dont know what to say about the kid. Loved him two years ago, had a rough season last year and now is getting lost in depth of an organization. Will be interesting to track his progress this season.
So the Marlies head out on the road for games versus Hartford, Providence, and Springfield before returning to the friendly confines of the Ricoh.
If you are in the area, get down to see these kids play. Entertaining and good value. #NextGeneration
Photo Creds: Christian Bonin @ChrisTSHphoto and the Toronto Marlies
Post Game:
Ingy’s first star: Ben Smith
“To come away from this weekend 2-0, we’re excited" – Ben Smith, today's first star#MarliesLivehttps://t.co/JWmTiY8cOJ
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 8, 2017
Coach Keefe
Lil Tim
