Marlies blanket Barons 5-0

OKLAHOMA CITY , Okla. – In the series opener for the AHL Western Conference Finals, the league leading goaltender Ben Scrivens earned his second shut out of the post season Thursday night.  
 
A mere 21 seconds into the game, a blistering hit was delivered to Mike Zigomanis in the Barons defensive zone.   He was slow to get up, but skated to the player’s bench.   A boarding penalty was assessed to the Barons, and the Marlies went on the power-play.   Fortunately, Oklahoma City was able to kill this early penalty.
 
The first score of this series was scored just five minutes into the game.   Marcel Mueller shot through traffic got past a screened Yann Danis.   This was an even strength goal and was Mueller’s second of the post season.  
 

“Last series we were involved in, they [San Antonio] kind of hung back and waited for us; like playing opossum,” said Ryan Keller.   “Here with Toronto, they come at you hard with a lot of speed.”  
 
Mid-way through the first period, the penalty of too many men on the ice occurred on a line change for the Marlies.     A Barons centerman deliberately held up a Toronto player from returning to the bench.  
 
With six minutes remaining in the first period, the special teams for the Marlies went to work.   Nicolas Deschamps scored on a rebound near the crease, when the Barons defenseman was distracted by a potential scrum in front of the net.   The visitors now had a two goal lead.   “You can’t have an army of skilled guys moving the puck when you aren’t forced,” said Coach Todd Nelson.
 
The lone goal of the second period was scored by rookie Matt Frattin, when his wrist shot found the back of the net.   “They just threw the puck down the ice and one of their guys mad a desperation play,” said Nelson.   “It was Frattin with speed and he made a nice shot.   I think that was the dagger right there.”
 
Despite having a three goal lead, the scoring for the Marlies continued in the third period.     At 5:03 Joe Colborne found a rebound near the goal line and shot a backhander that beat Danis stick-side.   This was Colborne’s first post season score.   “You couldn’t have more of an opposite opponent than we faced in San Antonio,” said Nelson.   “So we have to acclimatize to it; we have to remain fresh and make those quick plays and have good support.”
 
The final score of the game was an unassisted goal by Jake Gardiner who skated “coast to coast” carrying the puck from his defensive zone, through the neutral zone unscathed, and scored on a backhanded shot.
 
“There weren’t many secondary chances,” said Nelson.   “That tells me two things: their defense did a great job and we are not fighting hard enough to get those rebounds.”
 
The Marlies won by a score of 5 to 0, and had goals from five different players.   Game two for this best of seven series is Friday night in Oklahoma City. Games three through five are scheduled in Toronto next week.  
 
“Helms mentioned in the locker room: that this is the beauty of this,” said Ryan Keller.   “We don’t have to wait a couple of days to get back after them.   We can go redeem ourselves tomorrow.”   The Barons were 0 for 6 on the power play.   “Guys were not ready out of the hop, it is unfortunate,” said Bryan Helmer.   “Hopefully the boys will respond tomorrow night.”
 
Also on Thursday evening, the parent team of the Barons: the Edmonton Oilers announced they are parting ways with Head Coach Tom Reeny after two seasons.   A new coach was not immediately named.   A video of the press conference with Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini has been posted on the Edmonton Oilers website.
 
Contact the author at gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com