Hold on to your hats folks, we're going into April and this playoff race is red hot! A few weeks back when the Marlies started their push, the Easter weekend was circled on the calendar, thanks to a two game set against the Moose at Ricoh Coliseum. Now, it looks like those two games could very well determine the Calder Cup playoff fate for both clubs. It's a crazy time for scoreboard watching as well.
It was a tough weekend for Toronto, after dominating the Crunch in Syracuse, hitting 5 goal post and losing 4-0, it appeared as though they would come back flying on home ice against the Amerks. That wasn't exactly the case in a crazy 7-3 loss, where Rochester caught all the bounces, and that happens some times. Sunday in Rochester, things weren't looking great, and not just on the scoreboard. At times it appeared as though both teams were skating in slow motion through mud. The Marlies found a way to fight back from a 3-1 defecit, and earn their 6th third period comeback win of the year. Reimer shuts the door and Greg Scott earns the winner. Next thing you know, the playoffs are 3 points away. Now, it's scoreboard watching time for the Moose and Heat for two games in Abbotsford.
It's amazing to see who has been stepping up their game down the stretch here. Players like Ryan Hamilton and Alex Foster have come back from long stretches of being out, and have found their stride again. New guys Simon Gysbers and Jesse Blacker are contributing. And goals are coming from all over the place at the right time from Ben Ondrus, Justin Hodgman, Greg Scott, Tim Brent and a big one from Andre Deveaux on Sunday to tie the game, and snap a 16 game drought. Solid goaltending has been a big factor as well, with Reimer and MacDonald stepping up their game at the right time.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the final 6 weeks in the AHL can be crazy and teams can really move around in the standings. For the Marlies, they've been moving on up, and this weekend will be the biggest games of the year. It's playoff hockey, and it's come two weeks early, and Toronto hopes it will continue a while longer.
See You At The Rink!
You can email John with comments and questions about the blog or the Marlies anytime to marliesradio@yahoo.ca.