The Marllies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) remain alive in the playoffs. Saw game 4 tonight and it was probably the most fun game I have ever attended. We have been season ticket holders since the 2022/23 season. That year the Marlies finished first, won the division semi-final but lost the finals. The next year they squeaked into the playoffs (5th place) and lost the best of 3 play in 3 games (3rd game in OT). Last season they were also 5th and lost the play in in 2 straight games (OT and 2OT).
This year we seemed to be an average team. We wound up in 4th place (1 point out of 3rd) so we had to play the play in which we won in 3. This pitted us against against the #1 team in our division (Laval) and we took them in the best of 5 in 5 games.
This series is the division finals. We are playing the 3rd place club (Cleveland). They played Cleveland 8 times in the regular season and they had a 4-4 record. Pretty even match. The Marlies won game 1 in Cleveland and lost game 2. They came home for game 3 and 4. Game 3 Cleveland dominated and won. So tonight it was do or die. Cleveland did dominate on the shots but the Marlies persisted and were pesky and physical the whole game. Lots of skirmishes. And our goaltender was amazing. We won 5-2. If it is the final game I see, it was a good one and I am proud of this team and how they have played. If we can win one more in Cleveland on Sunday we will be on to the conference finals. We will face either Scranton Penguns or the Thunderbirds. If we play the Thunderbirds, we will have home ice advantage.
Most of the division winners have been elimated. The top 2 teams: the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Bruins have lost. So if we can win on Sunday and we get a little luck and have Scranton lose, we have a good shot at the Caulder Cup. Scranton has played us real hard so I think we have less of a chance. But we first have to win in Cleveland again.