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D'Amigo Making An Impression

April 20, 2012, 3:29 PM ET [72 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Toronto Marlies took a positive first step in their pursuit of a Calder Cup Championship with a 4-3 victory over the Rochester Americans in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at the Ricoh Coliseum Thursday night.

Head Coach Dallas Eakins was not surprised at the closely fought contest between the two AHL North Division rivals.

“Every game was a one goal game and why should tonight be any different.”

Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, Head Coach Randy Carlyle and 6244 fans saw the home club fall behind in the opening period, as the Amerks Phil Varone scored at 15:05 of the first.

The middle frame was dominated by the Marlies, but they were stymied by Rochester goalie David Leggio, who made 17 saves and preserved the precarious one goal lead until the 15:09 mark, when Toronto’s Jerry D’Amigo scored to tie the game.

In the third, Joe Colborne set up a wide open Matt Frattin in front of the net for the go-ahead marker at 1:01 and veteran Mike Zigomanis scored a power play marker about four minutes later to give the Marlies a 3-1 lead, but Rochester stormed back with a power play goal from Marcus Foligno and tally from defenseman T.J. Brennan to tie the game.

The Marlies took the lead for good with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, as defenseman Mark Fraser escaped the penalty box and raced with a Rochester defender towards Leggio, but instead of taking the shot, he fed a backhand pass to the trailing D’Amigo, who quickly snapped it into the net.

Ben Scrivens made 20 saves on the night.

D’Amigo earned the first star and plaudits from his coach, as he registered four shots on goal, two goals, killed penalties and finished +2 on the night.

The 21 year old Binghamton, NY native has made significant progress in his second professional season. After an excellent freshman year at RPI and impressing many at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Tournament as a member of the Gold Medal winning US squad, D’Amigo left college and signed a three year entry level deal with the Leafs in the summer of 2010. In training camp, he appeared to have the skating ability to be an NHL forward, but was not strong enough and was assigned to the Marlies, where he had difficulties adjusting to the pro game, scoring five goals in 43 games.

The Leafs wanted get D’Amigo back into more of a scoring role, so they opted to take advantage of his remaining junior eligibility and send him to the OHL Kitchener Rangers, where he scored 12 goals in 21 regular season games and six goals in the 2011 playoffs.

“Last year he maybe came in a little too early, I think him going back to junior got his confidence up and he is just playing excellent this year. He’s been one of our top two penalty killers on a unit that was number one in the league and he has the ability to drive the net and get those dirty goals.”

In 76 games with the Marlies this season, D’Amigo finished fifth in scoring, raising his scoring total to 15, along with 26 assists, but he made a marked improvement in his physical strength.

“He’s really strong through his core and through his legs and when he gets going, he’s hard to knock off the puck when he gets wide. Those are the kind of goals now in the NHL that you’ve got to score.”

With an off-season of many moves in the offing, the Leafs hierarchy will be looking internally for players who can fit a variety of roles with the big club next season. With his speed, special teams ability and improved physical conditioning, D’Amigo could be a legitimate candidate to challenge for a job when training camp opens in September.

The Marlies face Rochester at 3pm on Saturday at Ricoh Coliseum in Game Two of the best-of-five series.

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