The Marlies fell 3-2 in overtime to the Hershey Bears onSaturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Coliseum. After picking up a point, the Marlies are now fourth in the North Division with a 21-16-7-2 record.
Matt Strome opened the scoring with a goal 9:30 into the second period. Alex Limoges added a second goal 1:17 into the third, extending the Bears lead to two early in the third period. Joseph Blandisi cut the lead to one elven minutes later before Dylan Gambrell tied the game with just over 6minutes remaining in regulation.
After both teams traded chances in overtime, Garret Roe ended the game with a goal 3:14 into the extra frame.
After the game, head coach John Gruden said he was proud of the team battling back in the third to secure a point against the league-leadingBears.
"Yeah, especially being down two, having to kill all those penalties,” Gruden said. “Playing back-to-back nights where they're waiting for us, I'm happy with a point. Always nice to get the two. When you battle back like that it shows some character within our locker room. Again, against a really good hockey team, Calder Cup Champions. A team that's by far in first place. Good way to get that point.”
Blandisi’s third period goal was the 100th in hisAHL career. Gruden said Blandisi’s value extends beyond his on-ice play.
“Well, he's got a lot of energy, we all know that. He plays with passion, plays hard, plays on instinct,” Gruden said. “He's valuable to have on and off the ice. He's a good person, he likes being around the rink, he's good to his teammates. Every team needs a Joe Blandisi.”
The Marlies will be back in action on Monday afternoon against the Rochester Americans at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is at 2:00pm on the Toronto Maple Leafs App, AHLTV and NHL Network.
Game notes:
SCORING SUMMARY
Hershey: M. Strome (3) (H. Rybinski), A. Limoges (14) PP (M. Vecchione, J. Snively), G. Roe (A. Limoges, H. Lapierre)
Goaltender: H. Shepard (20/22) W
Toronto: J. Blandisi (14) (K. Bellows, R. Tverberg), D. Gambrell (8) (W. Villeneuve, R. Hirvonen)
Goaltender: L. Cavallin (22/25) OT/L
ON THE SCORESHEET
- Joseph Blandisi put the Marlies on the board at 12:21 of the third period. This was his 100th career AHL goal. He has 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists) in 45 games this season.
- Dylan Gambrell scored at 13:47 of the third period. He has 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) in 45 games this season.
- Kieffer Bellows recorded the primary assist on Blandisi’s third period goal. He has 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) in 39 games.
- Ryan Tverberg had the secondary assist on Blandisi’s third period goal. He has 27 points (8 goals, 18 assists) in 31 games this season.
- William Villeneuve registered the primary assist on Gambrell’s third period goal. He has 18 points (2 goals, 16 assists) in 35 games this season.
- Roni Hirvonen picked up the secondary assist on Gambrell’s third period goal. He has four points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 11 games with the Marlies.
- Luke Cavallin stopped 22 of 25 shots he faced.
- The Marlies went 6-for-7 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play. Toronto is 8-10-2-0 when not scoring on the power play and 9-8-6-1 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
- Hershey had a 25-22 edge in shots in all situations. Joseph Blandisi and Alex Steeves led the Marlies with three shots on goal. Toronto is 7-5-3-0 when outshot by their opponent.
- The Marlies are 8-3-2-0 against Atlantic Division opponents and finish their regular season series 0-0-2-0 against the Bears.
RECORD WHEN
Not scoring first 2-13-3-0
Tied after 1st 7-5-4-2
Trailing after 2nd 2-12-3-1
At home 9-9-5-0
February 3-2-1-1
Saturday 6-4-3-1
MARLIES LEADERS *Amongst active AHL players
Goals 19 (K. Bellows, L. Shaw, A. Steeves)
Assists 26 (J. Blandisi)
Points 40 (J. Blandisi, A. Steeves)
PPG 5 (L. Shaw, A. Steeves, R. Tverberg)
Shots 130 (L. Shaw)
+/- +18 (T. Miller)
PIMS 82 (K. Clifford, Z. Solow)
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH JOHN GRUDEN
On Blandisi scoring his 100th AHL goal:
He's got a lot of energy, we all know that. He plays with passion, plays hard, plays on instinct. He's valuable to have on and off the ice. He's a good person, he likes being around the rink, he's good to his teammates. Every team needs a Joe Blandisi.
On Luke Cavallin:
He’s a battler. I think he's -- obviously likes to play the puck, you guys saw that. He makes some good plays, he's not afraid of the moment. He battles his butt off. At the end of the day guys like playing for him, you get to see it. It's a good opportunity for him. Only been a couple games now. Those are tough games. He responded. He did a really good job.
UPCOMING GAMES:*All times Eastern Standard Time
February 19 vs. Rochester – 2:00 p.m. (Scotiabank Arena)
February 23 at Laval – 7:00 p.m.
February 24 at Laval – 3:00 p.m.
February 28 at Cleveland – 7:00 p.m.
March 1 at Syracuse – 7:00 p.m.
