Toronto Marlies Top Utica Comets In Game Four To Win Series 3-1

The Toronto Marlies defeated the Utica Comets 4-1 on Friday in Game Four of the North Division Semifinals. Toronto wins the best-of-five series 3-1.

“Just really proud of the team,” said Head Coach Greg Moore. “It’s never easy coming in on someone else’s ice trying to end their season. They came out really hard in the first period. We knew to expect it and then to come out in the second period and have the period that we had, it was really impressive that our guys knew what it took to step up and tilt the ice and be really hard to play against and drive the momentum and not sit back and wait for it to come to us.”

In the opening period it was the home team who struck first. Xavier Parent scored at 10:15 in the frame to give Utica the early 1-0 lead heading into the second period.  

Early in the second, Toronto responded with a goal by Carl Dahlström at 5:04 to tie the game at one a piece. Later, Matteo Pietroniro added another at 10:31 to give the Marlies the 2-1 lead. Less than a minute later, Toronto extended their lead to two with a goal by Logan Shaw at 11:10 to make it 3-1 after 40 minutes.  

Late in the third, Kyle Clifford potted the empty netter at 19:58 to make it 4-1 and secure the win for Toronto.

Erik Källgren stood tall in the Marlies crease stopping 28 of the 29 shots he faced.  

“In these two games he gave us, he looked really confident, really calm, settled things down for us,” said Greg Moore. “At times when we were hemmed in our d-zone, really proud of the way he stepped in and played.”

With Friday’s win, Toronto advances to their ninth Division Finals in franchise history. The Marlies will face either the Rochester Americans or the Syracuse Crunch in the North Division Final

The Marlies return to action on May 11th for Game One of the North Division Finals. Puck drop is at 7:00pm. Tickets for Round Three go on sale Saturday, May 6th at 2:00pm on Ticketmaster.ca

SCORING SUMMARY

Toronto: C. Dahlström (1) (P. Holmberg, R. Chyzowski), M. Pietroniro (1) (A. Steeves, R. Zohorna), L. Shaw (4) (J. Blandisi, T. Niemelä), K. Clifford (3) EN (Unassisted)
Goaltender: E. Källgren (28/29) W

Utica: X. Parent (3) (J. Groleau, J. Hawryluk)
Goaltender: N. Daws (33/36) L

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ON THE SCORESHEET

• Carl Dahlström put the Marlies on the board at 5:04 of the second period. This was his first point in four games.
• Matteo Pietroniro scored the game-winning goal at 10:31 of the second period. He has two points (1 goal, 1 assists) through four games.
• Logan Shaw scored at 11:10 of the second period. He has four goals and one assist through four playoff games. He has five points (4 goals, 1 assist) in four games.
• Kyle Clifford scored on the empty net at 19:58 of the third period. He has points (3-2-5) in four consecutive games.
• Pontus Holmberg recorded the primary assist on Dahlström’s second period goal. He has three points (2 goals, 1 assists) through four games.
• Ryan Chyzowski had the secondary assist on Dahlström’s second period goal. He has points (2-1-3) in consecutive games.
• Alex Steeves registered the secondary assist on Pietroniro’s second period goal. This was his third assist in four games.
• Radim Zohorna picked up the secondary assist on Pietroniro’s second period goal.
• Joseph Blandisi recorded the primary assist on Shaw’s second period goal. He has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in four games.
• Topi Niemelä had the secondary assist on Shaw’s second period goal. He has three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in four games.
• Erik Källgren stopped 28 of 29 shots he faced.

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TEAM NOTES

• With tonight’s win, Toronto advances to their ninth Division Finals. The club’s opponent will be determined on Saturday evening and will be either the Rochester Americans or Syracuse Crunch.
• The Marlies went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play. Toronto is 2-0 when not scoring on the power play and 2-0 when not allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
• Toronto had a 37-29 edge in shots in all situations. Kyle Clifford and Logan Shaw led the Marlies with five shots on goal. Toronto is 3-1 when outshooting their opponent.

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POSTGAME QUOTES

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HEAD COACH GREG MOORE

On tonight’s game:
Just really proud of the team. It’s never easy coming in on someone else’s ice trying to end their season. They came out really hard in the first period. We knew to expect it and then to come out in the second period and have the period that we had, it was really impressive that our guys knew what it took to step up and tilt the ice and be really hard to play against and drive the momentum and not sit back and wait for it to come to us.

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On depth of the lineup:
Last game with Chyzowski getting a couple (of goals) then Matteo coming in and scoring a really nice goal through the middle of the rink set up by Steeves’ on a really nice pass on the entry when he got his feet going. Just a really outstanding performance for a lot of guys and knowing what their role is on the team and embracing it and being a part of a group that is really driven, really motivated and we’re having a lot of fun playing hockey together.

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On Erik Källgren:
He looked really solid again. In these two games he gave us, he looked really confident, really calm, settled things down for us. At times when we were hemmed in our d-zone, really proud of the way he stepped in and played.

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MATTEO PIETRONIRO (GAME-WINNING GOAL)

On the full team effort:
It’s huge. Guys are doing whatever they can. Skilled guys are playing hard in battles, blocking shots. Goalies playing great for us as well. It’s huge to see everyone buy in and have that commitment for the team.

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LOGAN SHAW (1 GOAL)

On the full team effort:
Even the guys who didn’t get to suit up yet are still a huge part of it, having the right attitude coming in here to work every day and to push each other. The season didn’t end the way we wanted to but were fighting now, were pushing the right way, were playing the right way. Trying to do all the little things, things that we kind of got away from towards the end of the year. Everyone in there is playing for each other and it’s really fun to watch and fun to be a part of.

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UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time

Game 1 – May 11 vs. TBD – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2 – May 13 vs. TBD – 4:00 p.m.
Game 3 – TBD
*Game 4 – TBD
*Game 5 – May 21 vs. TBD – 4:00 p.m.