Adam Nightingale
10/14/2012
The Toronto Marlies, coming off their first win of the season entered yesterday afternoon’s game on a high note, and looking to keep momentum going early in the season. Lake Erie, however, had other plans.

Debuting their new retro jerseys for the first time at home the Toronto Marlies hosted the Lake Erie Monsters, and while the Marlies put the pressure on right after the puck drop, they weren’t able to find the back of the net, a microcosm of the game altogether. At 8:23 of the first period the Monsters struck first as Geoff Walker found twine giving Lake Erie a 1-0 lead. Paul Carey and Mike Sgarbossa drew the assists. At 15:54 of the first Tyson Barrie netted his 2nd goal of the season giving Lake Erie at 2-0 lead, and despite owning the shot clock 14-9, Toronto ended the first frame down 2-0.

The second period didn’t get off to a good start for Toronto. Just nine seconds in, Korbinian Holzer took a cross checking penalty and at 1:13 of the period Thomas Pock beat Ben Scrivens with his 1st of the season as the Marlies just couldn’t get it going. The second period was a rough one for both teams. A combined 14 minutes in penalties were handed out. The shots after two – 30-15 in favor of the Marlies.

The third period wasn’t much better for the Marlies. Despite pounding the Monsters with shots Toronto couldn’t find a way to beat Lake Erie goaltender Calvin Pickard. With time running out Toronto head coach Dallas Eakins had no choice but to pull his goaltender for the extra attacker. At 13:13 of the final frame, Luke Walker put the nail in the coffin. His 1st of the season put the game to rest as the game would end 4-0 Lake Erie.

The Marlies are off until Friday where they visit the Hamilton Bulldogs for the first of three straight.

NOTES
• The Toronto Powerplay was absolutely non-existent. The Marlies were 0-12 on the powerplay.
• Ben Scrivens stopped 14 of the 17 shots he faced.
• For the second straight game Dallas Eakins sent out the same starting lineup of Greg McKegg, Ryan Hamilton, Mike Zigomanis with Korbinian Holzer and Mark Fraser starting on the back end.
• Mark Owuya was the backup goaltender for Toronto. Appears early on that Owuya and Rynnas will split the backup duties.
• Thomas Pock was a +3 for the Monsters and registered a goal and two assists.
• Toronto players combined for a -15 on the night.
• The final shot count on the night was 40-18 for the Marlies.

Share this post