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The Toronto Marlies Notebook: A Tale of Two Teams

By Mike Stephens

TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: The Toronto Marlies celebrate a 3rd period goal against the Syracuse Crunch during game 6 action in the Division Final of the Calder Cup Playoffs on May 15, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Marlies beat the Crunch 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: The Toronto Marlies celebrate a 3rd period goal against the Syracuse Crunch during game 6 action in the Division Final of the Calder Cup Playoffs on May 15, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Marlies beat the Crunch 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 7: Head coach Sheldon Keefe has some instruction for Andrew Nielsen
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 7: Head coach Sheldon Keefe has some instruction for Andrew Nielsen /

Power Play Problems

The Marlies power play, in both games, looked atrocious. Despite Charlotte being in the midst of playing three games in three nights, they still managed to neutralize what should be a dominant man advantage attack. With Nielsen out of the lineup on Saturday, it was Vincent LoVerde who quarterbacked the first unit. Now, I’ve been very impressed with LoVerde’s play so far. He happens to be a responsible defender who clearly has earned the undying trust of his coach. He just shouldn’t run a power play.

What did spark the PP, and in the process, my heart, was Timothy Liljegren. I simply cannot stop fawning over this kid. He’s just so darn good. Big Time Timmy continued a dynamic offensive stretch by expertly finding the red-hot Mason Marchment with a brilliant feed as he was streaking back door. Watch this play and witness the magic for yourself:

Most 19-year-olds are never that patient. Believe me, I was one just two years ago. What makes this play so impressive is seeing that Liljegren stopped, surveyed his options, and then fed a crisp, flat pass to the streaking Marchment, all in a split second. The steps he’s taken since his debut in the Rookie Tournament are nothing short of monumental. I am beyond excited to see what he can do for the Leafs moving forward.

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