Thursday, February 25, 2010

Toronto Marlies Attendance

Attendance has been the underlying issue for the AHL affiliate of the Leafs in a city that seems to only have enough love for one team. The first ever home playoff game brought out 2,800 which is well below 50%. Attendance has been embarrassing and it’s certainly noticeable. 2008 saw another miserable crowd turnout of 1,063 fans, proving that no matter how well the Toronto Marlies due there are no fans showing up.

John Mitchell had this famous quote to say: “We have our booster club, the faithful fans who always come out, and we're thankful for that," Mitchell said. "But some nights you can almost count every face and know a lot of the people in the stands."

What does the franchise have to do to bring in the fans? I admittedly have only been to a handful of games at the Ricoh Coliseum and in each of those there were low turnouts, but the atmosphere was surprisingly great and the ones that do show up are sure up to the task of making the noise.

So the age old question, why does nobody show up?

Toronto Marlies Mascot

Duke the Dog is the admired mascot of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Standing at 6’10 and shooting right-handed, Duke is of a Yorktown Terrier breed. The reason for the appearance of Duke is to reflect that of ‘King’ the guard dog of the old Marlies and Maple Leafs arena known as Mutual Street Arena. Looking at Duke’s bio, he is a fan of Steve Thomas who was a Leaf and Marlie legend when it came to hard work, and his favourite food seems fittingly of their rivals (Moose and Griffin).

Season 2009 saw Duke go through major cosmetic surgery which has given him a grittier look. Wanting to look younger and full of excitement, the organization felt these changes were key. Being the team spirited dog that he is, Duke was more than willing to go under the knife. The new appearance of Duke led up the creation of a new alternate logo and a third jersey for the Marlies.

Toronto Marlies Arena

Located in Toronto, ON and originally built for the Toronto Roadrunners, the Ricoh Coliseum is the home arena of the Toronto Marlies. It was opened December 16, 1921 under the name Civic Arena. It was built in connection with the Canadian National Exhibition. In the early 1940’s it was used by the Canadian Army during World War II as a training base. In the 1960’s it became the National Trade Centre until construction began in 2003.
2003 brought a whole revamp that saw a new and higher roof built which allowed more seating. Since then the Ricoh Coliseum has been used as a professional hockey arena. With poor attendance and an imposing NHL lock-up, the Toronto Roadrunners were relocated to Edmonton leaving the rink vacant for a year until the St. John’s Maple Leafs were moved to Toronto. Debuting in front of 8,056 fans, the Marlies play to a 5-2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch.
With a capacity of 8,140 and located on 100 Princes’ Blvd, the arena is owned by the City of Toronto and operated by Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

Toronto Marlies Game

The streak is over as the Toronto Marlies lose in their AHL match-up against the Hamilton Bulldogs. In a game that saw the Marlies get out shout 34-23 and featured a Ryan Hamilton penalty shot stopped by Curtis Sanford, the Bulldogs proved too much for the Marlies. Both goaltenders were outstanding in the first frame where neither team managed to score. Unfortunately Max Pacioretty scored just 42 seconds into the second period and was later tied by Greg Scott. By the end of the period Hamilton led 2-1 in a game that could go either way. Luck just wasn’t on their side tonight as Hamilton failed to score on his penalty attempt and that would be the game changer, as Ben Maxwell ends up burying the empty netter securing a Hamilton win.

3-1 the final score on February 24th in Hamilton, ON. The Bulldogs are 2-0 against the Marlies this month and found a way to end the visiting teams 3 game win streak. Two games remain in the month, one featuring the defending champs the Hersey Bears and the final one against the Hamilton Bulldogs once again. Keith Aulie did not play in the game as his season is over due to a shoulder injury. It is an injury that doesn’t need to be season ending but a necessary surgery will be done to leave Keith with a better long-term effect. Tomorrow night (25th) will be the Hersey bears.

Toronto Marlies Logo

The Toronto Marlies were originally known as the Marlboroughs, and as a result the logo that was used consisted of: The Marlborough family crown with the A.C. for Athletic Club. Later they evolved the logo into the present day Maple Leaf that was placed behind the family crown. The team Logo now reads “Marlies” which is what the team is affectionately known as. The reason for this is that the organization did not want to be linked with the similarly named cigarette brand.

What the organization tried to do with the new crest design (although a few years in) was to bring back that classic leafs look with a sort of modern style to it. Many believe it to be a boring look with the typical hockey sticks and the dull “Marlies” plate. On the other hand, many love that vintage meets modern sort of concept. In my opinion, I like the logo and believe that it will be around for some time but it could use a bit or modifying. The Marlies do in fact have another alternate logo featuring Duke the mascot.

What are you feelings on the current logo set and possible new designs?

Toronto Marlies Stats

Hockey is a team game, in order to excel on any given night you need the help of you teammates to get the win. There are always those players that dominate on a given night that could be that ‘IT’ factor to help get that win, but overall the Toronto Marlies just haven’t had that player. There is no denying the talent and potential that this roster boasts, but those very players just haven’t been able to step up to that level. With the AHL leaders in just entering the 70+ point plateau, what have the Marlies done statistically?

Andre Deveaux has put up 32 points in 56 games, well below a point per game average. Viktor Stalberg and Christian Hanson have been close to that average and have arguable been the best point producers on the team playing in only 36 and 37 respectively. As you go through the statistics, not too many players are in the double digits, but then again it’s not all about the points, you need defence as well. But where has that been? The plus-minus of our guys have just been flat out bad, they can do better and many of them have shown that in the past, but this has just not been the Marlies year. Moving on to goaltending, one man seems to have stolen the show, and that man goes by the name of James Reimer. Sitting at 8-3-1-1 with G.A.A. of 2.20 and save percentage of .930%, he has blow Joey MacDonald and the others out of the water in terms of their season thus far.

My disappointment this season has been Phil Oreskovic’s +/-, he is capable of so much better, just look at his time up with the Leafs last year, played so well.

What do you all think about the production of this year’s squad? Any surprises? Disappointments?

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Toronto Marlies Roster

The current roster as per the Toronto Marlies website contains 31 players. The roster is filled by players that are designated there by the Toronto Maple Leafs, players called up from ECHL affiliates, or by signing free agents (other ways exist as well). The Marlies along with the rest of the AHL, don't entirly have full control of their roster which at some points can be devastating.

For instance, if the Leafs suffer some injuries they may summon the services of a Marlie. This may come on a game day and regardless the Marlies have to deal with the loss. That can definitly drive a coach nuts. In most cases the Leafs have been respectful in terms of not putting the Marlies in complete jeopardy by calling up too many players or for other reasons.

The importance of depth is key, and getting everyone involved in the action is usually an easy task, although some players may not get as much as they'd like. The point is to develope the players and give them professional experience to help them grow. It's a tough job being a coach, but these men know what their doing and deserve tons of respect in my opinion.

Toronto Marlies Tickets

When you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs, you think of outrageously high ticket prices. That is definitely not the case when it comes to their AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies’, who's tickets range from $10 - $38. Even the season ticket prices are remarkably low, sitting at $600 per seat for the entire home portion of the season. Why is it that MLSE (Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment) would set prices this low when they are renowned for milking Leafs Nation and anything else they come in contact with, for what it’s worth?

For this season I guess it’s only fitting seeing as the Marlies are struggling pretty badly, but even in the last couple of seasons pricing has been roughly the same. They try to push for that young crowd, and not the ‘suits’ as the Maple Leafs do. The Marlies aim to get those youngsters at the game and those in minor hockey, trying to create that family setting.

Here is the pricing list for single game tickets:
Platinum - $38
Sides - $30
End Zones - $18
Fan Zone - $10

Friday, February 12, 2010

Toronto Marlies Schedule

With the Olympic break about to get under way this weekend in the NHL, the league loses out on 2 weeks of action. Unfortunatly for the Marlies, most fans and toronto residents will be too busy watching the winter games rather than them. From this point on, the Marlies will be playing 28 games in 2 months, going in and out of the team bus as they travel all across Canada and the United States on a nightly basis. Although they aren’t the only team going through this, it seems like an awfully intense schedule that will hurt a team bad with even the slightest injury. Each and every game matters from here on and fatigue definitely becomes a factor.

For the most part there is a very high congestion of the same teams being played over the next 2 months, which gives the feeling of comfort ability of knowing your opponent. They will play the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Manitoba Moose 6 times, Abbotsford Heat and Rochester Americans 4 times, and then just mixing the remaining 8 games between other teams.

I for one like the concept of playing your rivals (divisional of course) a lot over the course of the season and closer to the end of the year, because it offers a more dramatic finish as those very rivals are left battling it out for the final play-off spots available. It’s a fun and exciting atmosphere to be a part of, and each game is one that you just don’t want to lose. By losing the game you not only fall back in the standings, but lose your pride as well.

Should the AHL continue to hold off the division games to this point of the season, or should they span it out evenly over the course of the season?

Check out info on tickets.

Toronto Marlies

Located in Toronto, ON, the Toronto Marlies represent one of four Canadian hockey teams competing in the American Hockey League (AHL). They are affectionatly known as the 'Marlies' by their fans which is short for Marlboroughs, which is the teams original name.

Currently the Marlies sit in 6th place in their 7 team division, a position that does not sit well with the fans, the players, or their parent team the Toronto Maple Leafs. With all the depth and highly anticipated Leaf prospects suiting up for the Marlies, the reason for the poor performances has left everyone scratching their heads. They're in search for a leader and some confidence in between the pipes, but it seems as though the early season's effort has cost them an early elimination from play-off contention.

In the recent weeks Toronto Maple Leaf fans have had a chance to witness the Marlies youth in action where they did not disappoint. With all the call-ups, the Toronto Marlies have been left with a thinned out roster which anyone could admit; hurts your chances of winning a game. Positives can be taken from the situation, by giving players a chance to show their worth when they may not have got a chance before. They're in the final stretch of the season, check out schedule info.

The one question I have is: Why are the Marlies struggling so badly this season?