Marlies Top Rocket In Divisional Matchup, Extending Win Streak To Eight

The Toronto Marlies closed out the weekend with a 4-3 shootout win over the Laval Rocket on Saturday afternoon. With this win, Toronto earns their tenth straight road win, setting a Marlies Franchise record.

In the first period, Laval opened the scoring with a goal by Xavier Simoneau at 9:43 to get the early 1-0 lead. Later, Toronto responded with a goal by Mashall Rifai at 15:05 to tie the game at one apiece. Before the period was over, Nick Abruzzese added another for Toronto with a power-play goal at 19:58 to take a 2-1 lead heading into the second. Abruzzese has points (5-7-12) in seven consecutive games.

In the second, Anthony Beauregard scored at 6:36 to tie the game at two. The score would stand to keep the game tied after 40 minutes.  

In the third, Nick Abruzzese notched his second of the night with a power-play goal at 5:53 to regain the lead for Toronto. Later in the frame, Laval responded with a goal by Anthony Richard to tie the game once again. However, the score remained tied after 60 minutes, so overtime was needed. Neither team was able to convert in overtime so the game headed to a shootout.

In the shootout, both Adam Gaudette and Logan Shaw scored to secure the win for Toronto.

Erik Källgren stood tall in the Marlies crease stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced.  

The Marlies return to action on January 24th when they visit the Abbotsford Canucks. Puck drop is at 10:00EST pm on AHLTV.

SCORING SUMMARY

Toronto: M. Rifai (3) (A. Steeves), N. Abruzzese (12) PP (L. Shaw), N. Abruzzese (13) PP (L. Shaw, W. Villeneuve)
Goaltender: E. Källgren (23/26) W

Laval: X. Simoneau (5) PP (L. Condotta, P. Dube), A. Beauregard (1) (P. Dube), A. Richard (20) PP (W. Trudeau, P. Abbandonato)
Goaltender: K. Poulin (30/33) SO/L

‍

ON THE SCORESHEET

• Marshall Rifai put the Marlies on the board at 15:05 of the first period. He has 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 38 games this season
• Nick Abruzzese scored on the power play at 19:58 of the first period and on the power play at 5:53 of the third period. He has points (5-7-12) in seven consecutive games. Abruzzese is tied for first overall amongst all rookies in points (13-18-31).
• Alex Steeves had the lone assist on Rifai’s first period goal. He has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) through 38 games this season.
• Logan Shaw recorded the lone assist on Abruzzese’s first period goal and the primary assist on Abruzzese’s third period goal. He set a career-high in points recorded in a season with a single team (16-14-48). Shaw has points (6-12-18) in eight consecutive games.
• William Villeneuve picked up the secondary assist on Abuzzese’s third period goal. He has points (1-2-3) through his last three games.
• Erik Källgren stopped 23 of 26 shots he faced. He is 3-1 in shootouts this season.

IN THE SHOOTOUT

• Adam Gaudette – Goal (2022-23: 2/2)
• Joey Anderson – No goal (2022-23: 1/3)
• Logan Shaw – Goal (2022-23: 2/3)

TEAM NOTES

• With today’s win, Toronto set the franchise record for most consecutive road wins (10). It previously was set in the 2015-16 season. The Marlies are 16-3-1-0 on the road and lead the AHL in winning percentage (0.825).
• The Marlies went 4-for-6 on the penalty kill and 2-for-8 on the power play. Toronto is 22-4-1-1 when scoring on the power play and 14-4-1-0 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill. Toronto is 11-0-1-1 when scoring two or more power play goals.
• Toronto had a 34-26 edge in shots in all situations. Pontus Holmberg and Logan Shaw led the Marlies with five shots on goal. Toronto is 12-5-0-0 when outshooting their opponent.
• The Marlies are 19-7-0-1 against North Division opponents and are 4-0-0-0 against the Rocket this season. Toronto has outscored Laval 20-13 through four games.
• Toronto is on their annual Boat Show Road Trip which includes eight games from Jan. 14 to Jan. 29. Toronto is 4-0-0 and have outscored their opponents 21-16.

‍

POSTGAME QUOTES

‍

HEAD COACH GREG MOORE

On Erik Källgren’s performance:
His skill set lends to being strong in shootouts. He’s a phenomenal skater, he’s really patient. He has the personality of just being calm and waiting for the player to make the first move. Huge saves in the overtime to get us to the shootout and then a great job shutting the door.

‍

LOGAN SHAW (2 ASSISTS, SHOOTOUT WINNER)

On the young players stepping up:
With the amount of young guys that we have, they’re doing a fantastic job of making sure that they’re mentally ready and whether that’s to start a game, start a period or if we get down, they’re still there to fight. If we played the night before, if we had a couple of days off, if we travelled, all these guys are learning how to embrace the suck. It’s not always pretty, you’re not always home, you’re travelling on the road, these guys are learning how to embrace that and we’re enjoying it and having a lot of fun.

‍

UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time

January 24 at Abbotsford – 7:00 p.m. (PST)
January 25 at Abbotsford – 7:00 p.m. (PST)
January 27 at Manitoba – 7:00 p.m. (CST)
January 29 at Manitoba – 2:00 p.m. (CST)
February 3 vs. Laval – 4:00 p.m.