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The Maple Leafs didn’t take all of their industrial-sized goalies on the California street journey.
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Whereas 6-foot-7 Dennis Hildeby was referred to as up — he didn’t begin Toronto’s sport Wednesday in Anaheim as Martin Jones went again in — the farm workforce Marlies referred to as on 6-foot-5 Keith Petruzzelli.
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With Joseph Woll after which Hildeby taking part in so effectively, Petruzzelli has had restricted publicity, although the absence of the ‘Hildebeast’ ought to give him extra motion.
On Wednesday, Petruzzelli made 26 saves as Toronto dropped a 2-1 choice at Coca-Cola Coliseum to the Cleveland Monsters, his first begin since earlier than Christmas.
“Hopefully I can profit from my alternatives,” stated the 24-year-old Massachusetts native, who introduced his save share nearer to .900 with the end in his ninth look. “(Consigned to a backup position) is a part of being a goalie. It’s a must to be a great teammate, assist the boys when you may.”
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KEEPING UP WITH JONES
Hildeby was getting loads of hype to debut within the back-to-back in opposition to Anaheim, till Jones turned the slumping Leafs round with a 31-save doughnut in Los Angeles.
“It’s exhausting for us to have that (Hildeby) dialog on one finish after which go along with the goalie who has by no means performed within the league if you’ve obtained one other man coming off a shutout,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe informed media in Anaheim earlier than the sport. Petruzzelli, in the meantime, has leaned on Marlies goalie coach Hannu Toivonen, as has Hildeby and now Ilya Samsonov, who was to get some 1-on-1 time with the Finn whereas teacher Curtis Sanford stays with the Leaf stoppers.
“We’ve constructed an important relationship, Hank retains me sharp,” Petruzzelli stated. “Dennis and I are a few large fellas. We’re just like an extent, for those who’ve obtained the dimensions, use it. However we’re very completely different goalies, too.”
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Petruzzelli was picked 88th general within the 2017 draft by Detroit, the identical spherical as Stuart Skinner of the Oilers and a spherical earlier than Toronto took stopper Ian Scott from WHL Prince Albert, whom it hoped would climb the ladder with Woll, snagged a draft yr earlier.
Woll is in competition to be the Leafs starter once more when he recovers from a excessive ankle sprain subsequent month, Scott needed to retire in 2022 after a number of accidents.
Samsonov was listed as roster eligible on Wednesday’s Marlies sport sheet after clearing waivers. Leafs basic supervisor Brad Treliving stated the day earlier than that the rattled Russian would take a while off after clearing NHL waivers for a psychological break after which work with the Leafs improvement employees and Toivonen whereas the mother or father workforce travels.
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DYLAN GOES ELECTRIC
Dylan Gambrell was not considered one of Treliving’s summer season signings who cracked the Leafs at coaching camp, like fellow ahead Noah Gregor and defenceman Simon Benoit making the soar.
However don’t rely out the seasoned Gambrell for later within the Leafs’ marketing campaign. Marlies coach John Gruden has utilized him usually this season in varied duties, which on Wednesday included energy play and penalty killing.
Gambrell had Toronto’s solely purpose, his fifth of the yr, on a person benefit, and tied Kieffer Bellows for a team-high 4 pictures on purpose. He was AHL participant of the week in mid-December.
“It’s been good for me right here, however there’s room for enchancment with particulars,” stated the 235-game NHLer with San Jose and Ottawa, who has solely spent scant time within the AHL the previous few years. “(A return to the NHL) is everybody’s purpose. That helps push us all and make us higher as a bunch.”
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The previous Avalanche decide is taking part in on a line with Nick Abruzzese and Alex Steeves, two of the Marlies prime scorers.
“Dylan’s a type of guys who reveals up if you want him,” Gruden stated. “His particulars are good, he stops on pucks and you’ll play him in all conditions.
“He’s achieved numerous the fourth-line stuff, (now) we wished to verify he might work on his offensive sport and he’s beginning to try this.”
STAR GAZING
Auston Matthews being named NHL second star of the month doubtless gained’t be his solely recognition this week. On Thursday, the league will title the preliminary roster to the all-star sport in Toronto subsequent month, one participant from all 32 groups. League purpose chief Matthews (29 earlier than Wednesday evening) might be exhausting to disregard, although William Nylander (a team-high 50 factors) is up there, too.
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The remaining 12 might be chosen by fan voting. Matthews, Nylander and probably captain John Tavares benefit essentially the most consideration at this stage.
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LOOSE LEAFS
Nylander is the fourth Leaf in workforce historical past to attain 50 factors in 35 or fewer video games. Lorne Carr did it twice within the Nineteen Forties, together with the document of 31 video games, sandwiched by Doug Gilmour (33 in 1992-93), A Darryl Sittler (34 in 1977-78) and Nylander … 2021 draft decide ahead Ty Voit, who made it into one Marlies sport after a recall from ECHL Newfoundland, might be misplaced with season-ending shoulder surgical procedure … Marlies ahead Roni Hirvonen, a second-rounder in 2020, is making progress in his restoration from a watch damage … With an help on Gambrell’s purpose, 2020 decide Ryan Tverberg (213th general) has 11 factors in his previous 14 video games.
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