Day: January 11, 2022

MAPLE LEAFS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS PREGAME NOTES


RECENT TRANSACTIONS


2021-22 Matchups vs. Vegas: Second of Two
2021-22 Record vs. Vegas: 1-0-0
Toronto Season Record: 22-8-3
Toronto Road Record: 8-4-2
TV: TSN4 RADIO: TSN 1050
January 7, 2022
Forwards Joey Anderson and Brett Seney have been assigned to the
Maple Leafs taxi squad from the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
January 5, 2022
Forward Kyle Clifford has been assigned to the Maple Leafs taxi squad
from the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
January 3, 2022
Defenceman Teemu Kivihalme has been reassigned to the Toronto
Marlies (AHL) from the Maple Leafs taxi squad
December 31, 2021
Defenceman Chad Krys has been reassigned to the Toronto Marlies
(AHL) from the Maple Leafs taxi squad

LAST GAME
Score: Toronto 4 at Colorado 5 – OTL
Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022
TOR Goals: Kerfoot, Matthews (x2), Ritchie
COL Goals: MacKinnon, Makar, Landeskog, Compher, Toews
TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 44/49, .898 SV%
COL Goaltender: Kuemper, 5/8, .625 SV%, Francouz, 18/19, .947 SV%
TOR Power Play: 1-for-1
TOR Penalty Kill: 4-for-4

NEXT GAME
Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Opponent: at Arizona Coyotes
Time: 10 pm ET
Broadcast Information: TSN4 (TV), Sportsnet 590 (Radio)

INJURY REPORT
Pierre Engvall Placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol
Mitch Marner Placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol
Ondrej Kaše Day-to-Day
ALL-TIME VS. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS:

First Matchup between Clubs: November 6, 2017 (Toronto 4 vs. Vegas 3 – SOW)
All-Time Record: 5-2-0 (7 Games)
All-Time Record at Home: 4-0-0 (4 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road: 1-2-0 (3 Games)
Last Road Win vs. Opponent: February 14, 2019 (Toronto 6 at Vegas 3)
Record in Last Five Games: 4-1-0

ACTIVE LEADERS VS. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS:
Games Played: Kyle Clifford (18), Jake Muzzin (12), Nick Ritchie (10), TJ Brodie (10)
Goals:
Auston Matthews (7), Mitch Marner (3), Wayne Simmonds (3), John
Tavares (3)
Assists:
Mitch Marner (5), Morgan Rielly (5), Jake Muzzin (4), William Nylander (4),
John Tavares (4)
Points: Auston Matthews (9), Mitch Marner (8), John Tavares (7)
Penalty Minutes:
Kyle Clifford (7), Justin Holl (4), Jake Muzzin (4), Alexander Kerfoot (4),
Wayne Simmonds (4), Michael Bunting (4), John Tavares (4)

2021-22 AVERAGES AND RANKINGS
Points % GF/Game GA/Game PP% PK% SF/G SA/G FO%
Toronto .712 3.39 2.49 30.9% 83.7% 34.1 31.6 55.6%
Vegas .618 3.47 2.97 19.0% 77.7% 34.2 30.0 46.7%

THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22
Power Play: 29/94 (30.9%)
Power Play Goal Leader: 8 – Matthews
Power Play Point Leader: 15 – Matthews (8G, 7A)
2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)

ON THE PK IN 2021-22
Penalty Kill: 77/92 (83.7%)
Shorthanded Goal Leader: 1 – Marner, Holl, Mikheyev
Shorthanded Point Leader: 2 – Brodie (2A)
2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%)

FAST FACTS
Tuesday games 5th of 14 (8 home, 6 road)
Back-to-Backs played 5 of 11
Record in first game of back-to-back 2-2-1
Record in second game of back-to-back 2-3-0
January games 4th of 10 (3 home, 7 road)
RECENT MILESTONES

TJ Brodie Appeared in his 700th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK
TJ Brodie Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 14, 2021 at EDM
Jack Campbell Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 16, 2021 vs. NSH
Pierre Engvall Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK
Ondrej Kaše Recorded his 100th career NHL point, Nov. 10, 2021 at PHI
Ondrej Kaše Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL
Alexander Kerfoot Appeared in his 300th career NHL game, Nov. 26, 2021 at SJS
Alexander Kerfoot Recorded his 100th career NHL assist, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT
Auston Matthews Recorded his 200th career NHL goal, Oct. 25, 2021 at CAR
Morgan Rielly Recorded his 250th career NHL assist, Oct. 27, 2021 at CHI
Morgan Rielly Skated in his 600th career NHL game, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL
Wayne Simmonds Skated in his 950th career NHL game, Oct. 16, 2021 vs. OTT
Jason Spezza Skated in his 1,200th career NHL game, Nov. 28, 2021 at ANA
John Tavares Recorded his 200th point with the Maple Leafs, Oct. 18, 2021 vs. NYR
John Tavares Scored his 100th goal with the Maple Leafs, Nov. 13, 2021 at BUF
John Tavares Skated in his 900th career NHL game, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT

UPCOMING MILESTONES
TJ Brodie Nine points away from 300 career NHL points
David Kämpf Three assists away from 50 career NHL assists
Ilya Mikheyev Three games away from 100 career NHL games played
William Nylander Two points away from 300 career NHL points
William Nylander Nine games away from 400 career NHL games playe

Chauncey Billups: Kyrie Irving most-skilled point guard of all-time — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Kyrie Irving called himself a basketball genius.

Chauncey Billups: Kyrie Irving most-skilled point guard of all-time — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

SUNS-RAPTORS PREGAME NOTES

GAME #38 – TORONTO RAPTORS (20-17) vs. PHOENIX SUNS (30-9)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA
TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN


• The Toronto Raptors (20-17) finish a three-game homestand (Jan. 7-11) Tuesday night when they host the Phoenix Suns (30-9) at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto begins a five-game road trip (Jan. 14-21) Friday night in
Detroit. The Suns swept the season-series in 2020-21. Prior to last season, the Raptors had won six in a row against Phoenix. Toronto is three games above .500 for the first time since opening the season 6-3.
• The NBA announced Monday that Fred VanVleet has been named as Eastern Conference Player of the Week (Jan. 3-9) for the first time in his career. VanVleet led the Raptors to a perfect 4-0 record, averaging 30.3 points (sixth in the NBA), 6.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 36.5 minutes. He shot .467 (42-90) from the field, .453 (24-53) from three-point range and was 13-for-13 at the free throw line. VanVleet scored 30+ points three times and recorded his first career triple-double with a season-best 37 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Jan. 7 vs. Utah. His 37 points was the most scored in a triple-double in franchise history.
• The Raptors extended their winning streak to a season-high six games (Dec. 31 – Jan. 9) with a 105-101 win over New Orleans on Sunday. Fred VanVleet scored 32 points and Pascal Siakam had 29 points and
10 rebounds in the victory. The Raptors have now won five straight and 10 of their last 12 at home. Over the last six games, VanVleet and Siakam are averaging 31.2 and 23.7 points, respectively. VanVleet has
scored 30+ in five of the last six, while Siakam has recorded four double-doubles. The last time Toronto won seven in a row was March 3 – Aug. 5, 2020.
• Toronto outrebounded New Orleans 15-7 on the offensive glass Sunday night, leading to a 24-6 advantage in second-chance points for the Raptors. During the team’s six-game win streak, Toronto has outrebounded opponents 89-to-50 on the offensive end and hold a +30 turnover differential (73-to-103). The Raptors currently rank second in the NBA in both offensive rebounds (13.1) and second-chance points (16.8).
• Fred VanVleet has made at least four three-pointers in a franchise record eight consecutive games (Dec. 14 – Jan 9) – tied with Stephen Curry for the longest streak in the NBA this season. VanVleet is averaging 30.6 points and shooting .456 (47-103) from beyond the arc over the last eight games.
• Fred VanVleet (136) and Gary Trent Jr. (116) currently rank second and fourth, respectively, in the NBA in total deflections. VanVleet has led the NBA in deflections per game each of the past two seasons, while Trent Jr. also ranks fourth in the league in steals per game (1.91) and has recorded multiple steals in 20 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (18.9) and rank third in steals (9.2).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – OG ANUNOBY #3

MIN: 35.8 REB: 5.2 AST: 2.4 STL: 1.6 TO: 1.5 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.0
• Finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes of action Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• The Raptors are 6-0 since Anunoby and VanVleet returned to the lineup Dec. 31 vs. the LA Clippers.
• Has scored in double figures in six straight games, averaging 18.3 points during this stretch.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43

MIN: 35.6 REB: 8.4 AST: 4.5 STL: 0.9 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 20.6
• Recorded 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 43 minutes Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• Has recorded 5+ assists in a career-high seven straight games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 9); averaging 6.4 assists.
• Leads the team with eight double-doubles this season despite missing 13 games.
C – KHEM BIRCH #24

MIN: 21.6 REB: 5.3 AST: 1.2 STL: 0.9 TO: 0.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 6.0


• Contributed six points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 21 minutes Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• Has missed 14 games (Nov. 7-11, Nov. 24 – Dec. 18) this season with right knee swelling.
• Averaging 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 21.9 minutes in five games as a starter.
G – SCOTTIE BARNES #4

MIN: 35.5 REB: 8.0 AST: 3.5 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 14.7
• Tallied seven points, four rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes of action Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• Ranks second among rookies in rebounds (8.0), fourth in assists (3.5) and fifth in scoring (14.7).
• Averaging 9.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists through five games in January.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23

MIN: 37.5 REB: 5.0 AST: 6.7 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 22.0
• Scored a game-high 32 points Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans; added four rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes.
• The Raptors improved to 15-3, including 7-1 this season, when he scores 30 or more points.
• Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.5), has logged 40+ minutes seven times.

INJURY REPORT
Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out
Scottie Barnes (Right Knee; Soreness) – Questionable
Gary Trent Jr. (Left Ankle; Swelling) – Questionable

2021-22 RECORDS
W-L EAST WEST
OVERALL 20-17 12-11 8-6
HOME 12-10 6-7 6-3
AWAY 8-7 6-4 2-3
OVERTIME 0-1 0-1 0-0

NEXT GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Date: Friday, January 14
Tip-Off: 7 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Little Caesars Arena
Television: TSN
Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. DETROIT
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2021-22 0-1 0-1 0-0
ALL-TIME 38-58 19-27 19-31
STREAKS Lost 4 Lost 2 Lost 2
LAST WIN: Jan. 31, 2020 (105-92)
LAST ROAD WIN: Jan. 31, 2020 (105-92)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +30 (Dec 23, 2009)
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -44 (Jan. 4, 1997)
LAST TIME VS. DETROIT
GAME 14 – NOVEMBER 13, 2021
DETROIT 127, TORONTO 121
TORONTO — Jerami Grant scored 24 points, including two key three-pointers in the fourth quarter, and Detroit beat Toronto 127-121, handing
the Raptors their fourth loss in five games … Isaiah Stewart added 20 for
the Pistons, who’ve beaten Toronto in their last four meetings … Pascal
Siakam had 25 points and 12 rebounds in his third game back since missing the beginning of the season recovering from shoulder surgery … Gary
Trent Jr. had 23 points while OG Anunoby had 17 … Goran Dragic added
16, Dalano Banton finished with 12 and Scottie Barnes had 11 … Neither
team led by double digits through the first three quarters of the back-and-forth affair … Toronto took a 95-93 lead into the fourth … But the Raptors
fizzled in the fourth quarter, as Detroit hit five consecutive three-pointers –
two by Grant – that put the Pistons up 117-106 … The Raptors scored five
straight points to pull to within six … Siakam converted a three-point play
with 2:04 to play to slice the difference to just three … But Cade Cunningham shimmied to the hoop to make it a five-point game heading into the
final minute … The Raptors missed four shots on their next possession,
which all but ensured the loss … The Raptors were missing starting guard
Fred VanVleet (groin strain) and Precious Achiuwa (sore shoulder).
1 2 3 4 TOT
DETROIT 31 34 28 34 127
TORONTO 34 30 31 26 121

SUNS NOTES

Regular Season Game #40 | Road Game #18
Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, Canada
January 11, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. (Phoenix time)
RADIO: ESPN Phoenix 620 AM/KSUN-La Mejor | TV: Bally Sports Arizona
(20-17)

QUICKLY: With a win tonight, the Suns would move to 31-9 on the season in what would tie as the team’s best start in franchise history through the first 40 games of a season (31-8 start in three different seasons) … With a win tonight, the Suns would move to 16-9 all-time against the Raptors on the road, which would match their all-time home record against Toronto … Cam Johnson
extended his career-long streak to 19-straight games of scoring 10+ points Saturday and has made 2+ 3FG in 22-straight games, the longest streak in the NBA this season and the longest in franchise history … After shooting 13-for-13 from the charity stripe on Saturday, Devin Booker moved into sole
possession of third place on the Suns’ all-time free throw percentage list at 87.1 percent, sitting just ahead of Eddie Johnson (87.0 FT%) and trails only Steve Nash (90.7 FT%) and Kyle Macy (88.4 FT%).
LAST GAME’S STARTERS (2021-22 record when starting this lineup: 15-5)
F 25 MIKAL BRIDGES6-6 209
LAST GAME: Tallied 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting (4-of-7 3FG) and 6 rebounds vs. MIA
SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 2 games vs. TOR last season

  • In 2020-21, posted 1 of just 4 seasons in NBA history shooting at least 54 FG% and 42 3P%
  • … Only NBA player to not miss a game for any reason past 3 seasons entering 21-22
    F 99 JAE CROWDER 6-6 235
    LAST GAME: Returned to the court to score 3 points and grab 5 rebounds vs. MIA
    SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 3FG and 4.0 rebounds in 2 games vs. TOR
  • Has scored 10+ points in a career-long 18-straight games and has made 2+ three-pointers
    in 21-straight games, the most in the NBA this season and a franchise record
    C 22 DEANDRE AYTON 6-11 250
    LAST GAME: Notched 12 points, 8 rebounds and a block vs. MIA on Saturday
    SEASON VS. TOR: In 2 games vs. TOR last season, averaged 15.0 pts on 70 FG% & 12.5 rebs
  • Shot 65.8 FG% during 2021 Playoffs, the best FG% (min. 100 FGM) by a player in a single
    postseason in NBA history (prev. 62.2% by James Worthy in 1985)
    G 1 DEVIN BOOKER 6-5 206
    LAST GAME: Scored a team-high 26 points (13-for-13 FT) to go with 4 rebounds and 2 steals
    SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 20.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 2 games vs. TOR last season
  • Having notched 2,000 career assists earlier in the season, Booker became the seventh youngest player in NBA history to 10,000 career points on 12/29/21 vs. OKC
    G 3 CHRIS PAUL 6-1 175
    LAST GAME: Totaled 9 points and a team-high 7 assists Saturday against Miami
    SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 15.5 points, 8.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 2 games
  • Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team, joined by Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash
    and Shaquille O’Neal as Suns players all-time selected to the team
    INJURIES/ROSTER NOTES
    Justin Jackson is not with team
    Cam Johnson (left ankle sprain) is out
    Frank Kaminsky (right knee stress reaction) is out; missed last 26 games
    Abdel Nader (right knee injury management is out); missed last 24 games
    Dario Šarić (right ACL rehab) is out; tore ACL in Game 1 of 2021 NBA Finals
    Landry Shamet (return to competition reconditioning) is probable; missed last 3 games
    Ish Wainright is in Health & Safety Protocols

  • DEVIN BOOKER scored a team-high 26 points Saturday against the Heat to go along with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals (matches
    season high, which he’s now done 10 times). Booker shot a perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line, just the fifth time in his career
    he’s shot 100 percent from the charity stripe with a minimum of 13 free throw attempts.
  • After shooting 13-for-13 from the charity stripe on Saturday, DEVIN BOOKER moved into sole possession of third place on the Suns’
    all-time free throw percentage list at 87.1 percent. Booker currently sits just ahead of Eddie Johnson (87.0 FT%) and trails only Steve
    Nash (90.7 FT%) and Kyle Macy (88.4 FT%).
  • CAM JOHNSON totaled 15 points Saturday to go along with 5 rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench. Johnson extended his careerlong streak to 19-straight games scoring 10+ points tonight. Additionally, with his second three, it marked his 22nd consecutive
    game with at least two three-point field goals, which is the longest streak in the NBA this season and a franchise record. After
    averaging 8.5 points on 40.5 FG% (38.7 3FG%) and 1.8 three-point field goals through the first 20 games of the season, Johnson is
    averaging 15.6 points on 49.8 FG% (47.4 3FG%) and 3.3 three-pointers over the last 19.
  • After missing the last six games, DEANDRE AYTON returned to the starting lineup tonight, adding 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting and a team-high 8 rebounds, the 20th time this season he’s led the Suns in rebounding.
  • With the loss Saturday, the Suns moved to 30-9 on the season, the team’s second-best start to a season through the first 39 games in franchise history trailing only the 2006-07, 2004-05, 1994-95, 1992-93 and 1980-81 seasons Suns, who all opened up the season 31-8.
    WINNING STREAK
  • The Suns won 18 consecutive games after starting the season 1-3 this season, the team’s longest winning streak in franchise history.

Avalanche rallies past Seattle Kraken to claim fifth consecutive victory — The Denver Post

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar calls catchup hockey losing hockey. But lately, his team has had extraordinary success playing from behind. The slow-starting Avs on Monday night used another comeback to win its fifth consecutive game and extend its club-record home winning streak to 12 games. The losing goalie: Philipp Grubauer, who took more money to…

Avalanche rallies past Seattle Kraken to claim fifth consecutive victory — The Denver Post

Report: 76ers have stopped fining Ben Simmons — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The previous report on the 76ers’ intermittent fining of Ben Simmons came nearly two months ago, when they reportedly fined him for not joining the team on a road trip.

Report: 76ers have stopped fining Ben Simmons — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Development Good News For (Some) Celtics Fans — NESN.com

Speculation has swirled about the possibility of the Boston Celtics having to break up the combination of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum due to the fact the two stars, as many have expressed, “can’t play together.” It’s caused Brown to be included in internet trades with the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers and a number […]

Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Development Good News For (Some) Celtics Fans — NESN.com

Clippers holding it together halfway through schedule — Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — It’s not exactly been with chewing gum and baling wire, but neither has it been with titanium alloy or the mimetic poly-alloy or whatever other tough stuff Terminators were made of. If anything, it’s been good old determination and adherence to the next-next-man-up credo that has the Clippers holding it together halfway…

Clippers holding it together halfway through schedule — Orange County Register

MARLIES 5, SPRINGFIELD 4

SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS (18-10-2-1 – 39 Points) vs.
TORONTO MARLIES (14-10-1-1 – 30 Points)

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

 123OTFINAL
SPRINGFIELD112–4
TORONTO500–5

GAME SUMMARY    |    GAME SHEET |    PHOTOS    |      SCRUMS

SCORING SUMMARY

Springfield: W. Bitten (5) PP (T. Cross, N. Alexander), D. Joshua (2) (M. MacEachern, A. Toropchenko), K. Washkurak (9) (Unassisted), H. McGing (8) (C. Rosen, S. Anas)
Goaltender: C. Lindgren (1/4), J. Hofer (25/27) L

Toronto: A. Suomela (2) (C. Dahlström, F. Kràl), A. Steeves (9) (M. Abramov, F. Kràl), B. McMann (7) PP (J. Duszak, A. Steeves), A. Suomela (3) (C. Dahlström, F. Kràl), J. Blandisi (2) (F. Kràl, P. Gogolev)
Goaltender: J. Woll (37/41) W

ON THE SCORESHEET

  • Antti Suomela scored at 1:40 and 11:55 of the first period. This is his second career multi-goal game.
  • Alex Steeves scored at 4:03 of the first period and later added the secondary assist on McMann’s power play goal. He has points (2-1-3) in consecutive games. Steeves has 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in 17 games this season.
  • Bobby McMann scored on the power play at 5:15 of the first period. This was his third power play goal of the season. He has 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists) in 19 games with the Marlies.
  • Joseph Blandisi scored at 19:47 of the first period. He has four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in his last three games.
  • Filip Kràl recorded one primary and three secondary assists in the first period. He has 10 assists in his last seven games. He set a Marlies franchise record for most assists by a player in a single period.
  • Carl Dahlström registered the primary assists on both of Suomela’s first period goals. This is his third game recording more than one assist this season.
  • Mikhail Abramov had the primary assist on Steeves’ first period goal. He has points (2-3-5) in four consecutive games.
  • Joseph Duszak picked up the primary assist on McMann’s power play goal.
  • Pavel Gogolev collected the secondary assist on Blandisi’s first period goal. He has eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 19 games this season.
  • Joseph Woll stopped 37 of 41 shots he faced. He is 5-2-0 this season with a 0.909 save percentage and a 3.31 goals against average.

OF NOTE

  • Filip Kràl set a Marlies franchise record for most assists by a player (forward or defence) in a single period. He had one primary and three secondary assists in the first period of today’s game.
  • Toronto went 1-for-2 on the penalty kill and 1-for-5 on the power play. Toronto is 9-6-1-0 when scoring on the power play and 6-5-1-1 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
  • Springfield had a 41-31 edge in shots in all situations. Antti Suomela led the Marlies with five shots on goal. Toronto is 11-7-1-1 when outshot by their opponent.
  • The Marlies are 3-2-0-0 against Atlantic Division opponents and 2-0-0-0 against the Springfield Thunderbirds. Toronto does not have a loss against Springfield in franchise history.
RECORD WHEN

Scoring first                            10-1-0-1
Leading after 1                        7-1-1-1
Leading after 2                        11-1-1-1           
January                                   3-1-0-0
Monday                                    2-0-0-0
1 Goal Game                            5-2-1-1
MARLIES LEADERS
*Amongst active players

Goals               10 (J. Ho-Sang)
Assists            19 (J. Duszak)
Points              20 (J. Duszak)
PPG                 4 (J. Ho-Sang)
Shots               57 (A. Steeves)
+/-                    +5 (A. Steeves)
PIMS                50 (R. Clune)

POSTGAME QUOTES

HEAD COACH GREG MOORE

On how the Marlies have been putting together consecutive quick starts:

A lot of discussion. Leadership too has done a great job of talking with the group and just giving insights of how important it is in this league, how hard it is to win games if we don’t give ourselves a chance from the start, it makes it really challenging to come back and find your way back into it. It was a good start, good process. The guys were diligent about the game plan and how to score against these guys and went out and executed.

ALEX STEEVES (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)

On the first period:
It was definitely something we talked about in the locker room before the game started that we really wanted to start fast and get on them. Obviously, that happened. It was one of those first periods that everything was kind of just going right for us. I think we were earning it. We got some really good plays, I think my line got pretty hot there and it’s good that our power play stepped up and got us a goal which is always really important to win the special teams battle, so it was just a really good first period.

On playing with the lead:
It’s always important to reflect on how games transpire. Personally, at this point of the year I think we got to get over that hump. We’ve had some stretches, we’ve had leads this year so I think we’re kind of over the fact where we have to understand how to finish the game, we just got to do it. It was a good game for us to get the win, unbelievable first period, probably our best first period of the year in terms of production but at the same time, I think at some point we just got to step and be a little more assertive to finish games.

JOSEPH WOLL (37 SAVES)

On playing with the lead:

Honestly, I try to treat it exactly the same as if we were tied or down. I think that’s the best mindset I could have is to always try to play the same way regardless of the situation but seeing us come out like that and play like that in the first is pretty cool to watch. We have been talking a lot about our starts and you couldn’t really have a better start then that so it’s pretty nice.

UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time

January 12 vs. Belleville – 7:00 p.m.
January 15 at Hershey – 7:00 p.m.
January 16 at Lehigh Valley – 3:05 p.m.
January 19 at Hartford – 7:00 p.m.
January 21 at WB/Scranton – 7:05 p.m.