Why the Leafs will be contacting the AHL champion Marlies for help

Article content

See more The Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Favorite Source

Article content

The last Toronto Marlies left the rink nearly two hours after winning the Calder Cup, enjoying one last look at the blue confetti-filled ice.

Article content

Article content

It’s not the last we’ll see of a roster that could play a big role in the Maple Leafs’ ongoing quest to one day put themselves in the emotional Friday postgame frame; the final pile-up, the trophy-winning episode, loud music and fans, albeit on a bigger screen at the Scotiabank Arena.

Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, Jacob Quillan and playoff MVP Artur Akhtyamov jump to the front of the line. However, Leafs general manager John Chayka sees veterans Vinni Lettieri who leads all playoff scorers with 26 points, Bo Groulx who is 14, William Villeneuve who defends the second most assists in the postseason in the history of the American Hockey League (21), the speed of Ryan Tverberg or any ball that destroys a lot of football with the favorite Landta as Michael Simz adds Landon Simz. Johnstone.

They can go into the Leafs for a night, a week or more and do it with the confidence of a title marathon.

Article content

Article content

“This is special and for a lot of us, it’s the first time we’ve won anything,” Toronto native Pezzetta said excitedly during the post-game party. “Now we are connected forever.

“You’ve got a bunch of guys who want to go to war on their own at night. From top to bottom we just had fun – like a family.”

Indeed, players and staff had to fend off wives, children and baby carriages as they made a lap with the trophy held aloft.

Sorry, but this video failed to load.

Play Video

WHY ARE TORONTO FANS NOT MARLIES

Die-hard Marlies fans — the ubiquitous ‘real’ Leaf fans — turned the Coca-Cola Coliseum into a haunted house of pain. visiting teams, the parent team has yet to replicate them at SBA. The fans, hungry for a Stanley Cup, stayed long after Calder’s presentation to chant “MVP” for goaltender Akhtyamov, who returned to the locker room to throw some of his sticks over the glass in thanks.

While promoting affordable family entertainment during the regular season with select mid-morning team games and youth hockey programs, the gateway to Marlies weekend play was true blue collar, savvy hockey fans engaging in spontaneous chants and effective banter in the 8,000-seat concourse.

Article content

BRINGING LANDON SIM

They quickly stood out against the hard-hitting Marlies like Sim. Cowan’s London Knights teammate has been with him in the last two Memorial Cup runs and now this. While Cowan’s first-round pick had 66 NHL games, Sim spent most of his first year of an entry-level contract in the ECHL press box with the Marlies until he was let go in the playoffs with big hits and scoring. That includes Friday’s first three-goal streak.

“I have gained a lot of experience in these big games,” said Sim, grinding his front tooth. “Easton and I will do anything to win and it just paid off (both continued to play until June). It’s great to win with him again. This is the best city to play in.”

Sorry, but this video failed to load.

Play Video

NYLANDER HAS BEEN A LONG WAITING WIN

In the Nylander family, William always gets the attention, but Friday was his younger brother Alex’s turn. His father Michael, a former NHLer, roamed the ice with a camera phone, catching up with his friends, the Cup and the media scrums, while William watched back in Sweden.

Article content

Alex made the decision two years ago to sign an AHL first-round deal with a shot at the Leafs alongside William, facing interest from other NHL teams in the former Sabres’ first-round pick. So far that has resulted in just five NHL appearances, all last season, but this first contest has added to it.

“I want to stay here (he is a UFA), this organization has been good to me,” said Alex, adding that his brother supported him in the two months the Leafs missed the playoffs.

“He wants that (Stanley) Cup really bad, he works hard and I know he can do it.”

The Marlies will have their own victory party on Monday.

“It was my first time winning it at this level, but to do it the way we did (a five-game playoff streak), it’s a tough game,” head coach John Gruden said, before placing the final game-winning puck on the full board of 16 in the locker room. “That’s why it’s a difficult trophy to win.

“It says a lot about our guys. Even (for those who have played a few games) Blake Smith, Noah Chadwick, Borya Valis, guys like that now have a lifetime winning pedigree. Success builds and this will be a foundation for all of them.”

lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

Article content