You know how I just wrote an article about Drew MacIntyre being signed by the Marlies to give them a better chance at winning games? With my luck, he was nowhere to be found tonight, as Dallas Eakins decided to give the start to Jussi Rynnas with Mark Owuya backing up. Don’t I look smart. That said, there was more to this game than that. As Carter Ashton and Tim Connolly continued to not be ready for action, Sam Carrick made his AHL debut. Wanting to keep their regained spot atop the North Division, the Marlies needed a big two points, but couldn’t get them as they fell to the Binghamton Senators for the third straight game of the sesaon.

Toronto started the game off by opening up the scoring. A hard working play by Greg McKegg earned him a rebound goal, and the aforementioned Carrick his first point. The lead didn’t last very long, though. Brett Lebda, a man I’m sure you all miss, fed a breakaway pass to Stephane Da Costa, who went backhand on Rynnas to tie the game. Fredrik Claesson turned the draw into a lead for Binghamton just eight minutes later, with a floater of a wrist shot that found a corner. The Marlies earned a powerplay with seconds left in the opening twenty, and brought it to the second period.

The second period brought little in terms of action. Toronto earned a lengthy five on three, which lead to nothing on the scoresheet, but gave them momentum to carry throughout. So much so, that they dominated the shot count, taking 13 of the period’s 16 shots, though the score remained the same. Scoring returned to the game in the third, but not in a way that the Marlies approved of; Pat Cannone and Shane Prince scored for the Senators within three minutes of each other. Jerry D’Amigo tipped in a Jake Gardiner point shot to close the gap a bit, but not even an extra man for the final three minutes could change the score.

Other Notes

Jake Gardiner looked very good on the powerplay, with better zone entires, and more confidence. He needs to shoot more though – just one of his hitting the net, though the D’Amigo tip was headed towards the 4×6 on its own.

Jerry D’Amigo always seems enthusiastic to face his hometown team, and today was no exception. The goal aside, he may have been the best foward on the ice for the Marlies.

With a 0.764 save percentage and 4 goals against, I think the Leafs returned "cold" Jussi Rynnas. MacIntyre in net would be a safe bet for tomorrow.

Toronto was very disciplined in only allowing for two powerplays (one that shouldn’t have happened, a very weak call against Jesse Blacker), but allowing a goal on one of them is less than ideal.

Brett Lebda had two points against Toronto, and was on the ice for three Binghamton goals. No comment.

The Marlies face the Senators again tomorrow at 3PM. It’s Canadian Forces day, so hats will be given away, and special Camo jerseys will be worn.

Photo courtesy TSGPhoto.com





