Toronto Marlies Lead Series 2-1 With Game Three Win Over Utica Comets

The Toronto Marlies defeated the Utica Comets 5-2 on Wednesday night in Game Three of the North Division Semifinals. Toronto now leads the best-of-five series 2-1.  

“From the start of the game we stuck to our plan,” said forward Ryan Chyzowski. “We wanted to just outwork them and keep it simple and make them earn their opportunities and I think we just did a great job of that for a full 60 minutes and then stuck to it right until the end.”

In the opening period, it was the visitors who struck first. Ryan Chyzowski scored at 4:57 in the frame to give Toronto the early 1-0 lead.  

In the second, Toronto extended their lead to two with a penalty shot goal by Kyle Clifford at 5:01. Less than 30 seconds later, Utica responded with a goal by Aarne Talvitie at 5:33 to keep within one. Before the period was over, Simon Nemec added another for the Comets at 17:52 to tie the game at two after 40 minutes.  

Early in the third, Ryan Chyzowski earned his second of the night with a goal at 4:34 to regain the lead for Toronto. Later, Pontus Holmberg added another for Toronto at 16:12 to make it 4-2 for the Marlies. Shortly after, Logan Shaw potted the empty netter at 18:40 to make it 5-2 for Toronto and secure the win.  

Erik Källgren stood tall in the Marlies crease stopping 24 of the 26 shots he faced in his first career AHL playoff start.  

“He did a really good job today for someone who hadn’t played a game in a while,” said Head Coach Greg Moore. “Thought he did a really good job coming in and looking really composed and looking calm in net in what can be a very difficult building to play in.”

The Marlies return to action on May 5th for Game Four in Utica. Puck drop is at 7:00pm on AHLTV.

SCORING SUMMARY

Toronto: R. Chyzowski (1) (S. Der-Arguchintsev, G. Slaggert), K. Clifford (2) PS (Unassisted), R. Chyzowski (2) (G. Slaggert, M. Hollowell), P. Holmberg (2) (K. Clifford, N. Abruzzese), L. Shaw (3) EN, SH (Unassisted)
Goaltender: E. Källgren (24/26) W

Utica: A. Talvitie (3) (R. Russo, T. Ibragimov), S. Nemec (1) (N. Stevens, G. Clarke)
Goaltender: N. Daws (23/27) L

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ON THE SCORESHEET

• Ryan Chyzowski opened the scoring at 4:57 of the first period and scored the game-winning goal at 4:34 of the third period. He had three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 36 games with the Marlies this season.
• Kyle Clifford scored at 5:01 of the second period on a penalty shot and later added the primary assist on Holmberg’s first goal of the third period. He has points (2-2-4) in three consecutive games.
• Pontus Holmberg scored at 16:12 of the third period. This was his second goal through three games in the playoffs.
• Logan Shaw scored shorthanded on the empty net at 18:40 of the third period. He has three goals and one assist through three playoff games.
• Semyon Der-Arguchintsev recorded the primary assist on Chyzowski’s first period goal. He has points (2-1-3) in all three games of the series.
• Graham Slaggert had the secondary assist on Chyzowski’s first period goal and the primary assist on Chyzowski’s third period goal. He had 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) through 63 games with the Marlies this season.
• Mac Hollowell registered the secondary assist on Chyzowski’s third period goal. This was his second assist of the series.
• Nick Abruzzese registered the secondary assist on Holmberg’s third period goal. He has assists (4) in three consecutive games.
• Erik Källgren stopped 24 of 26 shots he faced in his first career AHL playoff start.

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TEAM NOTES

• Toronto has been awarded four penalty shots (2/4) in their postseason history. Dmytro Timashov was the last Marlie to be awarded a penalty shot and record a goal (May 26, 2019 at Charlotte).
• The Marlies went 6-for-6 on the penalty kill and 0-for-1 on the power play. Toronto is 1-0 when not scoring on the power play and 1-0 when not allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
• Toronto had a 28-26 edge in shots in all situations. Ryan Chyzowski led the Marlies with five shots on goal. Toronto is 2-1 when outshooting their opponent.

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POSTGAME QUOTES

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HEAD COACH GREG MOORE

On tonight’s game:
Really happy with how the team play today. It was nice to start the game with a lead. Ryan Chyzowski, heck of a game by him. Was really hungry to get to the net. Couple of second and third opportunities on the second one but the first one, some poise with the puck, picked his corner. It was a much better process today than Game 2.

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On Erik Källgren:

It’s been a strength of his every time he plays for us, his skating and his ability to get to spots, recover the dangerous rebounds. He did a really good job today for someone who hadn’t played a game in awhile because of the situation that we’ve had in our organization, thought he did a really good job coming in and looking really composed and looking calm in net in what can be a very difficult building to play in.

RYAN CHYZOWSKI (2 GOALS)

On tonight’s game:
Just from the start of the game we stuck to our plan. We wanted to just outwork them and keep it simple and make them earn their opportunities and I think we just did a great job of that for a full 60 minutes and then stuck to it right until the end.

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On what to build on for Game 4:
That last game to close out a series is always the hardest. They’re playing for their lives. We’ve just got to be a little bit more dialed in our d-zone, a little bit more dialed in the neutral zone and just making sure we’re not giving them the opportunities we did on their goals. As long as we stick to that and stick to playing an aggressive game and getting it behind them, the results will come and we’ll just have fun with it.

GRAHAM SLAGGERT (2 ASSISTS)

On Ryan Chyzowski:
It was awesome to see him get those goals. He does so much for us and he’s such a good energy in the locker room that it’s awesome to see him succeed.

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UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time

Game 4 – May 5 at Utica – 7:00 p.m.
*Game 5 – May 7 vs. TBD – 4:00 p.m.