Toronto Marlies
TORONTO – Jerome Samson, Keith Aucoin and Brandon Nolan each had a goal and two assists as the Albany River Rats defeated the Toronto Marlies 4-1 in American Hockey League action Sunday.
The 6,812 fans at Ricoh Coliseum saw the second regulation time loss for Toronto in the month of December. It ended the Marlies’ six-game win streak.
It was the first-ever visit by the River Rats and the second meeting between the two clubs this season. Toronto won the first 3-2 win on Oct. 31.
Keith Aucoin and Mark Flood had the other goals for the River Rats (20-15-0-2).
Derrick Walser replied for the Marlies (22-6-0-4).
Albany netminder Michael Leighton stopped 23 shots for the win, while Justin Pogge, making his fourth start in a row, made 16 saves at the other end.
Albany jumped out to a quick lead when Samson, alone in front, tipped in his 13th of the season.
Toronto tied it on a two-man advantage when Walser dropped a howitzer from the point.
Albany replied a little over a minute later. While shorthanded, Nolan found Aucoin streaking into the slot, who snapped a quick shot past Pogge. The Marlies goaltender vented his frustration, by taking a tripping penalty with less than a minute to go in the first.
The River Rats led 3-1 after the first period. They squandered an opportunity for their fourth goal on a two-on-nothing rush with a little over five minutes in the second. Shortly after, Nolan scored the only goal of the middle frame, giving the visitors a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes.
Albany was 1-for-6 on the power play, while Toronto went 1-for-4 with the man advantage.
Source: Marlies lose to River Rats
