The Toronto Marlies jumped out to a 1-0 lead in their Calder Cup Western Conference Quarter-Final, as Sam Carrick scored twice in a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday night.
The 22-year-old Carrick, who played the majority of the 2013 season with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL before being a significant contributor with the Marlies this season, scored the opening goal late in the first period and added a short-handed empty netter in the final minute of regulation to cap off the scoring.
Josh Leivo, TJ Brennan, Jerry D’Amigo and Kenny Ryan also scored for Toronto, who were minus forwards Spencer Abbott and Peter Holland due to injury, while former Washington Capitals first round pick Filip Forsberg and Patrick Cehlin scored for Milwaukee, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators.
Drew MacIntyre made 28 saves in the victory.
The two clubs were face each other in Game 2 of the best-of-five series before travelling to Toronto for Game 3 next Thursday.
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For those expecting a resolution regarding the future of Randy Carlyle, you will have to wait a while longer, as reports indicate that a decision on the fate of the Leafs bench boss is not imminent.
TSN's Darren Dreger reports that Leafs GM Dave Nonis is currently in Finland for the IIHF Under 18 World Championship, scouting players eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft to be held in Philadelphia, PA in late June. The tournament lasts until Sunday, which means that meetings involving the Leafs GM, Team President Brendan Shanahan and Carlyle will not happen until the middle of next week at the earliest.
While no definitive conclusion can be made from the lack of movement on the coaching question in the two weeks following the season finale in Ottawa, the fact that the determination process has been ponderous would lean in favor of Carlyle's possible return rather than his dismissal.
Next Column - Leafs Report Card - Wingers Part 1
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