The Toronto Marlies opened their second straight 3-in-3 weekend with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Rochester Americans.
In the first period, Dylan Gambrell scored his 13th of the season at 17:56 to give the Marlies a 1-0 lead. With an assist on the goal, Tate Singleton recorded his first career AHL point.
In the third period, Rochester tied the game with just under three minutes remaining thanks to a goal from Linus Weissbach. Both teams exchanged chances in overtime but a shootout was needed.
In the shootout, Nick Abruzzese scored the game winner for Toronto, and Dennis Hildeby stopped all three Amerks shooters for his 17th win of the season.
The Marlies return to action on Saturday at Coca-Cola Coliseum when they host the Hartford Wolf Pack. Puck drop is at 4:00pm on the Toronto Maple Leafs App, AHLTV and NHL Network.
Game notes:
SCORING SUMMARY
Toronto: D. Gambrell (13) (T. Singleton, A. Steeves)
Goaltender: D. Hildeby (31/32) W
Rochester: L. Weissbach (11) (R. Johnson, T. Kozak)
Goaltender: M. Houser (19/20) SO/L
ON THE SCORESHEET
- Dylan Gambrell opened the scoring at 17:56 of the first period. He has points (3-1-4) in three consecutive games. Gambrell has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) 57 games this season.
- Tate Singleton recorded the primary assist on Gambrell’s first period goal. This was his first career AHL point. He has 48 points (25 goals, 23 assists) in 59 games this season with Newfoundland (ECHL).
- Alex Steeves registered the secondary assist on Gambrell’s first period goal. He has assists (3) in consecutive games. Steeves has 47 points (20 goals, 27 assists) in 53 games this season.
- Dennis Hildeby stopped 31 of 32 shots he faced. He is 2-1 in shootouts this season.
- Alex Steeves – No goal (2023-24: 3/5)
- Logan Shaw – No goal (2023-24: 2/5)
- Nick Abruzzese – Goal (2023-24: 1/1)
TEAM NOTES
- Toronto is 4-2 in the shootout this season.
- The Marlies went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play. Toronto is 9-14-4-0 when not scoring on the power play and 17-8-2-1 when not allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
- Rochester had a 32-21 edge in shots in all situations. Logan Shaw led the Marlies with four shots on goal. Toronto is 12-6-3-0 when outshot by their opponent.
- Toronto is 14-14-7-2 against North Division opponents and are 2-1-2-0 against the Americans this season. Toronto has outscored Rochester 17-16. Toronto has outshot Rochester 189-148.
RECORD WHEN
Scoring first 26-4-7-2
Leading after 1st 17-2-3-0
Leading after 2nd 19-1-3-0
On the road 16-10-3-2
March 5-4-0-0
Friday 9-5-1-1
MARLIES LEADERS *Amongst active AHL players
Goals 26 (K. Bellows)
Assists 29 (N. Abruzzese, J. Blandisi)
Points 52 (J. Blandisi)
PPG 7 (J. Blandisi)
Shots 181 (K. Bellows)
+/- +18 (T. Miller)
PIMS 126 (K. Clifford)
HEAD COACH JOHN GRUDEN
On tonight’s game:
We knew it was going to be like a playoff game for both teams because we’re jockeying for position and want to set the tone in these last few games. We expected their best. I thought we played a smart game from the get go and gave us a chance to win which we were fortunate enough to do. I liked our effort, I liked our decisions that lead up to playoff winning hockey, the discipline and just understanding what it takes to win.
On Dennis HIldeby:
He’s been a beast for us all season. To have him come up with a game like that at a meaningful time was huge and the players fed off of that.
UPCOMING GAMES:*All times Eastern Standard Time
March 23 vs. Hartford – 4:00 p.m.
March 24 vs. Laval – 4:00 p.m.
March 27 at Manitoba – 7:00 p.m. (CDT)
March 29 at Manitoba – 2:00 p.m. (CDT)
April 3 vs. Springfield – 11:00 a.m.
