Toronto Marlies Dominate Over Weekend: Goalie Controversy, Alex Nylander on Fire
The Toronto Marlies and Alex Nylander were absolutely dominant over the weekend having the challenging AHL schedule of three games in three nights playing Friday night in Rochester then Saturday and Sunday in Toronto.
In each of the first two games of their stretch Alex Nylander and the Marlies fell behind 2-0, but they were able to come back to win both games, then Sunday the defensive side of the game was solid helping goalie prospect Artur Akhtyamov record his first North American shutout.
During Friday night's game in Rochester, veteran goalie Matt Murray stayed in Toronto to prepare for his start the next night. It appears the Toronto organization will try to limit Murray's minor league travel and keep him around Toronto as much as possible.
Akhtyamov got the start in both Friday and Sunday's games stopping a total of 43 of 45 shots to collect the victories in each game. The 2020 fourth round selection split time between the KHL and their minor league (VHL) last season. With Kazan Ak-bars he posted a 6-7-0 record with a tidy 2.51 GAA and .921 save percentage. Through three games with the Marlies the Russian goaltender has surrendered just three goals on 80 shots (.964 save percentage).
Toronto Marlies Dominate Over Weekend: Goalie Controversy, Alex Nylander on Fire
2021 sixth round selection Vyacheslav Peksa served as Akhtyamov's back-up in both his starts and will likely join the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL once Joe Woll returns to the Maple Leafs which will cause a trickle down effect and Dennis Hildeby joining the Marlies..
There is some goalie controversy that is starting to brew as when Woll returns to action the organizations top goalie prospect Hildeby will return to the Marlies. Akhtaymov is pushing his way up the depth charts to contend with the 6'7" goalie for starts, while the team is also is trying to help Murray get back to the NHL. The problem will arise in trying to get each goalie enough game action.
On the scoring front, the younger Nylander brother Alex continues his scoring with goals in each of the three games over the weekend. The former first round pick of the Buffalo Sabres signed an AHL deal with Toronto this past summer and has five goals in as many games to start the season putting him a tie for third in the league.
Alex Steeves and Cédric Paré also collected a trio of goals over the weekend. Steeves has been pushing for a spot on the Maple Leafs over the last couple of years collecting 69 goals over his previous three AHL seasons and getting into seven NHL games, collecting one assist.
Nikita Grebenkin who kicked open the door at training camp and making a name for himself this past September led the way with four points this weekend collecting a goal and three helpers thanks to a three-point game on Sunday. This season is his first in North American and he will be a player to watch over the yearn as a potential midseason call-up.
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The Marlies will now be off for a few days before a home and home series this upcoming Friday and Saturday with the Belleville Senators.