Toronto Marlies Open 2023-24 Season With Game Against Rochester Americans

The Toronto Marlies fell 5-4 in overtime to the Rochester Americans on Saturday evening in their first game of the 2023-24 season.

Bobby McMann opened the scoring just over 16 minutes into the first period. The power play marker was the first of McMann’s season.

Logan Shaw added a second power play goal just under 9 minutes into the second, extending the lead to 2-0. Shaw continued his hot start with another goal just under four minutes later, extending the lead to 3-0. Isak Rosen cut the lead to two with just under five minutes remaining in the second period on a power play goal. McMann responded quickly, though, picking up his second goal of the game just over thirty seconds later, giving the Marlies a 4-1 lead heading into the final frame.

The Amerks netted two quick goals at the start of the third period to cut the Marlies lead to one, thanks to Brett Murray and Aleksandr Kisakov, and Jeremy Davies scored the game-tying goal with just under four minutes remaining in the third.

Through a back-and-forth overtime frame, Jiri Kulich eventually scored the winner for the visitors 2:30 into the overtime period.

McMann, Shaw and Abruzzese combined for eight points in the opening game, with Shaw leading the group with two goals and and two assists.

Head Coach John Gruden said the group’s impressive play was sparked by their commitment on the other end of the ice.

“They play 200 feet. They’re not a liability defensively,” Gruden said. “By doing that they get their offensive chances. I really like their line. They played with pace. They had confidence. Tried to get them out there. They almost ended the game on the power play there.”

The Marlies are back in action on Sunday afternoon with a game against the Utica Comets at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Puck drop is at 4 pm and the game can be watched on the Toronto Maple Leafs app or on AHLTV.

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SCORING SUMMARY

Rochester: I. Rosen (2) PP (M. Mersch, A. Kisakov), B. Murray (1) (R. Johnson, N. Novikov), A. Kisakov (1) PP (M. Mersch, I. Rosen), J. Davies (1) (I. Rosen, R. Johnson), J. Kulich (1) (L. Rousek, J. Davies)
Goaltender: M. Houser (39/43) W

Toronto: B. McMann (1) PP (L. Shaw, N. Robertson), L. Shaw (1) PP (N. Robertson, T. Niemelä), L. Shaw (2) (B. McMann, M. Rifai), B. McMann (2) (N. Abruzzese, L. Shaw)
Goaltender: K. Petruzzelli (27/32) OT/L

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ON THE SCORESHEET

• Bobby McMann opened the scoring at 16:01 of the first period on the power play and recorded his second goal at 16:03 of the second period. He also picked up the primary assist on Shaw’s second goal in the second period.
• Logan Shaw scored on the power play at 8:52 and later added a goal at 13:03, both in the second period. He also recorded the primary assist on McMann’s first period power play goal and the secondary assist on McMann’s second period goal. This is the third career game Shaw has recorded four or more points.
• Nicholas Robertson had the secondary assist on McMann’s first period power play goal and the secondary assist on Shaw’s second period power play goal.
• Topi Niemelä picked up the secondary assist on Shaw’s second period power play goal.
• Marshall Rifai recorded the secondary assist on Shaw’s second goal of the second period.
• Nick Abruzzese registered the primary assist on McMann’s second period goal.
• Keith Petruzzelli stopped 27 of 32 shots he faced.

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TEAM NOTES

• Toronto is 13-5-1-0 in season opening games.
• The Marlies went 1-for-3 on the penalty kill and 2-for-5 on the power play. Toronto is 0-0-1-0 when scoring on the power play and 0-0-1-0 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
• Toronto had a 43-32 edge in shots in all situations. Logan Shaw led the Marlies with eight shots on goal. Toronto is 0-0-1-0 when outshooting their opponent.
• The Marlies are 0-0-1-0 against North Division opponents and are 0-0-1-0 against the Americans.

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POSTGAME QUOTES

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HEAD COACH JOHN GRUDEN

On first game in the AHL:

It was nice … obviously we didn’t like the result. For me I got to learn a lot about our players. Probably got to learn a lot about me. It’s one game and it’s a stepping stone for us. I can tell you one thing it’s very exciting for me.

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On the Marlies impressive physical performance:

We always want to make sure when teams play us, regardless of the outcome, that we are tough to play against. You have to set a physical presence early and often, so the other team knows they’re in for a long game. It’s a good thing we did do that. It’s a way for us to teach our guys. We have to do that for 60 minutes.

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On Logan Shaw:

It’s outstanding. He’s very professional. He helps us out too. He’s a really smart, intelligent hockey player. He’s been outstanding for us. Really enjoy having him on the team.

BOBBY McMANN (2 GOALS, 1 ASSIST)

On the team’s impressive start:

I think just our compete. We wanted to win the game the first two periods and we showed it. That’s something we need to carry to the third period and have even more of. Because, to close teams out in this league is really hard. I think that’s something we’re going to focus on.

UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time

October 15 vs. Utica – 4:00 p.m.
October 21 vs. Charlotte – 4:00 p.m.
October 22 vs. Charlotte – 4:00 p.m.
October 24 vs. Milwaukee – 7:00 p.m.
October 27 at Belleville – 7:00 p.m.