Marlies Can’t Score - Pogge Still Sits
May 4th, 2008 by SteveThe Toronto Marlies have a shooting percentage in the Calder Cup Playoffs that would make Jason Blake proud. They have scored on slightly more than 6% of their 294 shots on goal. They’re making average goalies look great. To be fair, the team lacks firepower. Robbie Earl is injured, Jeremy Williams wasn’t demoted, and David Ling, Jiri Tlusty, Alex Foster, and John Mitchell can’t seem to find the twine.
This team had difficulty scoring goals during the regular season as well, so it isn’t like this is new information. Unlike much of their competition, the “infusion” of talent to the Marlies that many other teams experience this time of year due to CHL and NHL clubs dropping out of the playoffs, isn’t translating to success. Recent additions Dale Mitchell, Kyle Rogers, and Stefano Giliati can’t be expected to carry the offensive load as AHL rookies - though to be fair, in the series against San Antonio, Chad Kolarik and Kevin Porter - two recent signings from the NCAA program at Michigan - were quite helpful in the offensive end. The real issue is, the Leafs and Marlies lack any real offensive firepower that is available for the team. Anton Stralman is playing for Sweden, and Nikolai Kulemin was recently dropped from the Russian national team at the World Hockey Championships (one wonders if Kulemin would consider suiting up for the Marlies?… I don’t think that’s going to happen but who knows?) Maybe if they sign Brunnstrom they can throw HIM on the ice. Really I don’t think anything is going to fix these issues.
On another note, Scott Clemmensen is still seeing all the rubber in the Marlies net. Pogge remains stapled to the bench and as the Crunch have taken a 2-0 series lead, Clemmensen’s record has fallen to 1-3-2 against Syracuse this year. Tossing Pogge out there at this point would not amount to a serious risk in terms of Pogge’s development. If he doesn’t succeed, the Marlies can chalk it up to superior talent at the other end of the ice, as demonstrated by Syracuse only losing 1 game in their past 24. If he on the other hand snatches a win or two from the fire, he only grows in confidence. Unfortunately I again doubt anything will change on this front. Syracuse may be headed for a sweep in this series if nothing is altered in the near future.
Here’s hoping another Mitchell on the top line, and perhaps a Pogge in net can make some sort of serious difference.
Posted in Prospects
2 Responses to “Marlies Can’t Score - Pogge Still Sits”
By navin vaswani on May 5, 2008
i think the marlies are done. they are suffering from “maple leafs affiliated” disease. can’t score for their lives.
pogge should come in for game three. but the leafs won’t make it happen, cuz they are fucking douche bags.
and fuck the ‘cuse.
By Alec on May 5, 2008
The Marlies feel that their best chance at winning is with Clemmensen between the posts. That’s perfectly fair. Gilbert’s not going to groom Pogge if he feels the team will lose out of the playoffs with him in net. This is perfectly legitimate. Now that they’re in the playoffs, Gilbert is looking to ice the team that will win games on their way to a Calder Cup. That’s why Fletcher hasn’t intervened. We as Leafs fans have gone prospect crazy. Truth be told, Pogge is not about to make the step next year. He will get his opportunity when the time comes. Toskala will at least see his contract out in Leafland. That means Pogge has at least two more years to gain experience and become battle-tested in the playoffs.
Patience, Steve. Patience.