SNAP SHOTS
Marlies must push through the Valley to get control of series against Phantoms ... Protecting Sparks from net-crashing is a concern ... Aaltonen working well with linemates
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, back in Allentown, Pa., and hoping to get back in their series against the Marlies, were best at home in the American Hockey League’s regular season.
Unfortunately for the Flyers’ farm team, Toronto boasts the circuit’s top road record having swept Syracuse last round and only needs to take two of the next three games at PPL Center. Not that the Marlies are making Calder Cup final plans just yet with Game 3 on Wednesday.
“You don’t get control of a series until you win on the road,” reminded Toronto defenceman Justin Holl after Tuesday’s practice in Allentown. “It won’t be a comfortable setting for us. They have talent over there, but we have to play our game.”
Rather than feel flattened by a blue bulldozer at Ricoh last weekend, as the Marlies ran their playoff win streak to seven games since the first round, the Phantoms were very much in both games, leading in each, losing the latter in overtime. The third and overtime period might have been the closest the No. 2 seeds have looked to their old selves said coach Scott Gordon.
“The first five periods I didn’t think was our best,” Gordon told the Allentown Morning Call. “I think the biggest thing now is we forget about (Game 2 last Sunday), don’t worry about what didn’t happen (in Toronto), worry about what’s going to happen in Lehigh.”
RUNNING INTO TROUBLE?
Game 2 saw Lehigh defenceman Travis Sanheim called for doing little to avoid an upper-body collision with Marlies goalie Garret Sparks on a scoring rush, resulting in an interference penalty.
The 6-foot-4 Sparks was not ruffled, but Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe was asked later if net-crashing could become more prevalent in Allentown, with the Phantoms trailing the set and needing to find other ways to distract Sparks.
“They have some people, some of their forwards in particular, that we know are going to come really hard to the net,” Keefe said. “It’s not a secret that Sparksy means a lot to our team. So I was happy to see that the referees took care of the goalie (Sunday).”
Holl said the Marlies always have to be on guard.
“In any series, some bad blood will build up. They’ll want to make things uncomfortable for Garret, so it’s up to us.”
Sparks, the AHL’s goalie of the year, shrugged off Sunday’s incident.
“I don’t see what’s that going to do for them (to be reckless). I don’t see that as an effective tactic,” he said.
A FINE LINE
Miro Aaltonen has been the Marlies best offensive weapon against Lehigh, the potential Leafs centre getting three goals the first two games, including the picturesque OT winner with defenceman Calle Rosen jumping in to help Aaltonen’s linemate Andreas Johnsson’s three-way passing. “He’s playing with creative people (Johnsson and right winger Carl Grundstrom),”
Keefe said of the Finn. “When it’s his turn to move the puck he makes the play. When it’s his turn to drive the net or be in a good spot he seems to find a way. That’s big for us. Johnny’s a great passer, Carl’s more of a shooter and Miro’s a good finisher, too.
“When Johnny has options, time and space he can find those guys. We need that type of production.”
LOOSE LEAFS
With June 1 approaching, the Leafs have yet to sign two 2016 draft picks to entrylevel contracts, forward Keaton Middleton and defenceman Nicholas Mattinen, as well as 2014 selection J.J.
Piccinich. The club faces losing the rights to the trio ... Holl sees comparisons to the parent Flyers when the Phantoms play in front of their loud home crowd, complete with the famous orange and black uniforms to send visitors a message. “That’s definitely what they’re going for,” Holl said of the atmosphere. “Hopefully, we can feed off that.” ... Keefe has learned not get frustrated with minor league scheduling that gave the Marlies 10 days off after the Syracuse series, but now forces his team and Lehigh to play as many as five times in eight days. “The AHL presents its challenges, but those are the things we have to contend with. Either way, we have to get out on the road and get a win.” ... The Texas Stars, farm team of Dallas, lead their conference final 2-0 against Rockford (Chicago).
You don’t get control of a series until you win on the road. It won’t be a comfortable setting for us. They have talent over there, but we have to play our game.
Justin Holl