The Toronto Marlies Top Grand Rapids Griffins in Final Game Of Royal Road Trip

The Toronto Marlies shutout the Grand Rapids Griffins 4-0 on Saturday night. The Marlies completed their Royal Road Trip with a 5-2-0-0 record.

In the first period, Joseph Blandisi opened the scoring for the visitors just 3:52 into the frame. Alex Steeves extended his point streak to nine games (8G, 4A) with a goal at 13:01.

In the middle frame, both teams exchanged chances, but the score remained 2-0.

In the final frame, Dmitry Ovchinnikov picked up where he left off on Friday night, scoring a power play goal at 12:30. Kieffer Bellows scored his fourth of the season at 15:09 to help secure the victory.

Dennis Hildeby recorded his second shutout of the season in Saturday’s victory, and his second in as many starts. Hildeby stopped all 23 shots he faced in the victory. Nick Abruzzese recorded three more points in Saturday’s win, and six in his last two games.

The Toronto Marlies return home to host the Manitoba Moose on November 18th for their first Next Gen Game of the season. Puck drop is at 4:00pm on the TML App and AHLTV.

SCORING SUMMARY

Toronto: J. Blandisi (4) (N. Abruzzese), A. Steeves (8) (D. Gambrell, N. Abruzzese), D. Ovchinnikov (4) PP (N. Abruzzese, K. Bellows), K. Bellows (4) (D. Ovchinnikov, M. Pietroniro)
Goaltender: D. Hildeby (23/23) W

Grand Rapids: No goals
Goaltender: M. Hutchinson (23/27) L

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ON THE SCORESHEET

• Joseph Blandisi opened the scoring at 3:52 of the first period. He has 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 11 games this season and three points (2-1-3) in three consecutive games.
• Alex Steeves scored at 13:01 of the first period. This was his 50^th career AHL goal. He has 12 points (7-5-12) through nine consecutive games which is the longest active point streak in the AHL.
• Dmitry Ovchinnikov scored on the power play at 12:03 of the third period and later added the primary assist on Bellows’ third period goal. He has four goals and one assist in his last two games.
• Kieffer Bellows scored at 15:09 of the third period and earlier added the secondary assist on Ovchinnikov’s third period goal. He has points (4-3-7) in five consecutive games.
• Nick Abruzzese recorded the lone assist on Blandisi’s goal and the secondary assist on Steeves’ goal, both in the first period. He also added the primary assist on Ovchinnikov’s third period power play goal. He has points (2-6-8) in four consecutive games.
• Dylan Gambrell registered the primary assist on Steeves’ first period goal. He has seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 12 games with the Marlies this season.
• Matteo Pietroniro had the secondary assist on Bellows’ third period goal. He has two assists in eight games this season.
• Dennis Hildeby stopped all 23 shots he faced. He is the first Marlies rookie goaltender to pick up shutouts in back-to-back starts.

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TEAM NOTES

• The Marlies went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 1-for-2 on the power play. Toronto is 3-1-2-0 when scoring on the power play and 3-2-0-0 when not allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
• Toronto had a 27-23 edge in shots in all situations. Kieffer Bellows led the Marlies with five shots on goal. Toronto is 6-2-2-0 when outshooting their opponent.
• The Marlies are 3-1-0-0 against Central Division opponents and are 2-0-0-0 against the Griffins.
• Toronto finishes their annual Royal Winter Fair Road Trip 4-2-1-0 and have outscored their opponents 27-20, including two shutouts. Toronto returns to Coca-Cola Coliseum on Nov. 18 against Manitoba.

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POSTGAME QUOTES

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HEAD COACH JOHN GRUDEN

On what led to the team success this weekend:

Just a lot of different things. The character of our leadership and the group that’s been established here regardless of what is thrown at us, the call ups and the injuries and so forth, we’ve got a resilient group. At the end of the day, that’s going to carry us further than anything else. Very proud of them.

On Kieffer Bellows:

We have a guy that can score. We have some familiarity with him but I still think there is some growth in his game where he can take it to the next step and level in terms of dominating games. He’s a been a great addition and we’re glad to have him here.

UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time

November 18 vs. Manitoba – 4:00 p.m.
November 19 vs. Manitoba – 4:00 p.m.
November 21 vs. Lehigh Valley – 7:00 p.m.
November 24 at Cleveland – 7:00 p.m.
November 26 vs. Cleveland – 4:00 p.m.