The Toronto Marlies took down the Providence Bruins 7-3 on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Toronto is now third in the North Division with a 13-7-3-1record.
Zach Solow opened the scoring for the Marlies just over a minute into the first, giving Toronto a quick 1-0 lead. Georgii Merkulov answered for the Bruins at 6:37 in the first, tying the game at one.
Dan Renouf scored 38 seconds into the second period for theBruins, but Kieffer Bellows answered with a goal just under eight minutes later to keep the game tied at two through forty minutes of play.
Topi Niemelä scored 14 seconds into the third period, kick starting a five-goal period for the Marlies. Justin Brazeau scored to tie the game at three just under two minutes after Niemelä, but Logan Shaw fired home the game-winner just over five minutes later. Max Lajoie fired home his first of the year just over a minute after Shaw, giving the Marlies a two goal cushion. Kieffer Bellows added an empty net goal 15:53 into the third andJosiah Slavin wrapped up the win with his third goal of the year with 18 seconds remaining in regulation.
After turning aside 16 of 17 shots in the first period, and31 of 34 overall, Dennis Hildeby backstopped the Marlies to his fourth straight win.
“Yeah, Hildeby has been great,” Kieffer Bellows said after the game. “Honestly, he’s been the backbone of our team right now. He and KP have been fantastic throughout this season for us. Without them, I don’t know, it’d be a lot closer games. They’ve been huge for us. Very thankful we have them back there.”
Along with Hildeby’s win streak, five Marlies are currently on point or goal streaks of at least three games, including Alex Steeves who currently owns the longest point streak in the AHL this season. Overall, Toronto has averaged 5.4 goals per game over the last five games.
“Well, I think confidence when it comes to that,” Head Coach John Gruden said on the increased offensive production of late. “Guys struggle with goal scoring confidence. I’ve always told them, and we’ve always told them as a staff to make sure it’s about your style of play and your chances, if you’re creating anything. But still it’s going to waver on your confidence to do so. They’re feeling good about it, especially at this time of the year.”
The Marlies will be back in action on Friday in Belleville against the Senators. The game can be seen live onAHLTV.
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