Less Than Jake
Jeff Veillette (Jeffler)
February 22 2013 02:59PM
It's very rare for those in the hockey know around Toronto to agree on something. But, at this second, there is one subject that is an exception to this rule, and it's Jake Gardiner. With nobody sure if the Leafs will continue their success and approximately fourteen thousand defenceman up on the current roster, everybody still has a critical need to see their promising young crown jewel back in the lineup. The question is simple; when does he come back up from the Toronto Marlies?
The answer? That I can't give you - I'm not Dave Nonis or anybody else involved with the decision. But I will say this. If it were me, it's not for a little while yet. This isn't to say that Gardiner has "fallen off", or to scare you in any way, but at this second, he's not ready.
Marlies Win 2-1 Over Hershey
Jeff Veillette (Jeffler)
February 16 2013 04:06PM
Hershey, Pennsylvania is the land of opportunity, chocolate, and Washington Capitals prospects. They have fan support like nobody else, with Bears jerseys littering Ricoh Coliseum despite the distance away. It was an important game for the Toronto Marlies, who continue to struggle out of the post-lockout gate. New emergency addition Drew MacIntyre made an unexpected debut, but peformed spectacular in it, leading the Marlies to their first win in three games.
Marlies / Bulldogs Season Series Ends (In Loss)
Jeff Veillette (Jeffler)
February 13 2013 12:16AM
The best part of Tuesday night’s game? I don’t have to mention the Hamilton Bulldogs until October. “OKAY JEFF, WE GET IT, YOU HATE THE SCHEDULE. Stop opening your posts with it!” you may say. On one hand, you’re right. On the other hand, we’re over half way into the season, and the Toronto Marlies have faced the Habs affiliate in 26% of their games. Include preseason, and it goes to 29%. One in every less than four games. For five months. Considering how these two teams like to get at each other, I have no idea how nobody’s been killed. Back to the point – tonight was the last game, Toronto really needs to start putting points on the board to stay in the playoff chase, and they did the opposite of that, losing a close one.
The Colborne Comeback?
Jeff Veillette (Jeffler)
February 12 2013 12:37PM
As has been stated many times in the past few weeks, the Toronto Marlies are a drastically different looking team than they were before the NHL lockout came to a close. Nazem Kadri and Matt Frattin are playing like everything people were hoping for and more on the Leafs. Mike Kostka, Mark Fraser, and Korbinian Holzer are holding the fort on defence. Ben Scrivens is between the pipes, backing up (and with injuries, temporarily leap frogging) James Reimer, and thanks to the waiver process, Keith Aucoin is in Long Island Hockey Prison.
It’s certainly made the Marlies a worse team on paper, but that’s not a bad thing. If it anything, it gives the rookie players actual games to play in, and the guys who were overshadowed by their NHL current-calibre peers some improved minutes to show they’re capable. One of these players is Joe Colborne.
Marlies Unable To Mess With Texas
Jeff Veillette (Jeffler)
February 10 2013 04:00PM
Underrated in the Toronto Marlies schedule rotation is the matching up with the three teams of Texas. For the past few seasons, the blue and white have played a pair of games against the Texas Stars, Houston Aeros, and San Antonio Rampage. The road games are all played within days of each other during a road trip, giving the team a chance to adjust to several play styles in a short time. As for the road games, it gives the fans an opportunity to see something different. Today's game against Texas was particularly important, as the Stars are atop the Western Conference, with the once leading Marlies sitting back in sixth. Today was an opportunity for Toronto to gain some ground, but the gap widened instead, as the Marlies fell 3-2.
