AHL champs take ups with downs
It is possible for a professional hockey team wearing blue and white to win it all.
The Toronto Marlies serve as that reminder, commemorating their 2018 Calder Cup championship with a video highlight reel, fireworks and the unfurling of their championship banner on Monday.
“You look at that video and it was very nostalgic. Brings back fond memories,” said Marlies veteran Colin Greening.
“It was great to honour last season’s team, a great moment, a special moment,” said head coach Sheldon Keefe. “It takes you back to just how hard that whole process was to go through that, just how great it feels. But you quickly get a reminder just how quickly the page has turned.”
Indeed, once they dropped the puck for the Marlies’ home opener in the newly-minted Coca-Cola Coliseum, the 6,400 in attendance could attest to the fact that Toronto’s AHL entry has a target on its back. The Cleveland Monsters took the game to the Marlies, leading 5-1 at one point and holding on for a 5-3 win.
Kasimir Kaskisuo — now No. 3 on the Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth chart — took the loss, allowing five goals on 24 shots. Sam Gagner, Calle Rosen and Chris Mueller scored for the home team, which outshot Cleveland 20-2 in the third period for a 40-24 margin overall.
The Marlies are a different team top to bottom, starting with Laurence Gilman as general manager instead of Kyle Dubas.
“He’s filled in nicely in terms of continuing with the way things have gone,” Keefe said of Gilman, “(and) at the same time adding his own spice to things. But he’s given us everything we’ve needed to be prepared for the season.”
The Marlies are a key tool for building the Maple Leafs, who have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967 but are considered by some to be the favourites this season. Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, Zach Hyman and Connor Brown all spent developmental time with the AHL club over the years.
The Marlies have been known as an offensive powerhouse, but their best forwards of the past couple of years, Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, are Leafs now. The depth is on the blue line, something the Maple Leafs will certainly take note of — especially if the parent team’s own-zone troubles continue.
Rosen has been the top de- fender through the first three games (one win, two losses). He was plus-2 on Monday, even though goals were going in fast and furious for Cleveland.
“I thought Rosen had a great weekend for us,” said Keefe. “I thought he was outstanding. We’re counting on Rosen now to be the guy in so many guys. I thought he had a good camp with the Leafs. I know he wants back. He’s consistent and reliable in all areas.”
If Rosen was upset about not making the Leafs out of camp, he wasn’t showing it.
“I think I’m playing OK. I know I can play a lot better,” he said. “Some shifts are good. Some shifts are not so good. That’s something I and the whole team have to work on.” As for that banner … “It was awesome,” said Rosen. “I got goosebumps watching what we did last season. For sure, it got us pumped up before the game. Too bad we couldn’t bring it to the ice.”