News
Marlies Win Opener!
October 6, 2007
New Marlies Impress in Season Opening Win
( Toronto, ON ) – The Toronto Marlies got their season off to the right start in defeating the Rochester Americans by a 4-1 score in front of 4,777 fans at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Marlies goaltender Scott Clemmensen earned his first victory with the team in allowing only one goal on 26 shots.
The first period saw the Marlies control most of the play in outshooting their opponents 14-7. It appeared that Toronto had scored their first goal of the season off a shot by new forward Simon Gamache just before the midway point of the opening period but officials later waved off the play. Rochester officially opened the scoring when Adam Taylor beat Clemmensen with a high wrist shot at 11:44 of the first period. The Marlies tied the game late in the period when left wing Colin Murphy fired a low snapshot past Rochester starting netminder Adam Dennis at 18:27.
Third year Marlie Jeremy Williams gave Toronto their first lead with his first goal of the season 3:21 into the second period. The Regina native drove to the net and put home a Robbie Earl rebound for a 2-1 lead. The Marlies increased their lead to two when Gamache set up Alex Foster for the former Bowling Green State player’s first of the campaign at 5:43. The shorthanded marker was the team’s first of the year.
Clemmensen continued his strong play in turning aside all eight Rochester shots in the third period. Former Columbus Blue Jacket defencemen Derrick Walser rounded out the game’s scoring with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game to help salt away the win.
In addition to many new in-arena features, many of the team’s new players put on a show for the home fans. Gamache displayed various skills on all parts of the ice and created numerous quality scoring chances throughout the game. He recorded an assist and was named the game’s second star. Clemmensen was recognized as the game’s first star following his 25 save performance. Rookie Darryl Boyce also got his first point in a Marlies’ uniform in adding an assist on the game-winning goal.
Toronto will face-off with Lake Erie next Friday at Ricoh Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. The Americans host Hamilton tomorrow evening.
First Period
1. ROC A. Taylor (1) S. Meyer @ 11:44
2. TOR C. Murphy (1) unassisted @ 18:27
Second Period
3. TOR J. Williams (1) R. Earl & D. Boyce @ 3:21
4. TOR A. Foster (1) S. Gamache @ 5:43 SH
Third Period
5. TOR D. Walser (1) D. Ling & J. Tlusty @ 7:21
Shots
TOR 36 ROC 26
Three Stars:
1. S. Clemmensen # 30 (TOR)
2. S. Gamache # 9 (TOR)
3. A. Dennis # 53 (ROC)
