The Toronto Marlies have run into bad luck and hot goaltending on their four game road swing through New York and Pennsylvania, as they lost their fourth straight road game 4-2 to the Hershey Bears on Sunday.
Braden Holtby, who impressed during last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs by leading the parent club Washington Capitals past the Boston Bruins and to Game Seven against the New York Rangers, made 40 saves to Hershey’s three game losing streak.
Former Leaf and Marlie Alex Berry, Zach Hamill, Cameron Schilling and John DiSalvatore scored for the Bears, who climbed out of the AHL’s East Division basement with the victory.
Mark Owuya, who was making his first start in over two weeks, allowed four goals on 10 shots in the first two periods and made 15 saves on the night.
On this road trip, Toronto has been stymied by stellar goaltending. Ben Bishop, who had a phenomenal 2012 with Peoria/Ottawa/Binghamton last season, made 46 stops to lead the Senators to a 3-2 victory on Thursday and Jeff Zatkoff made 31 saves to lead Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a 2-1 win on Saturday night.
Matt Frattin and Mark Fraser scored for Toronto, who fall to 9-8-0-1 on the season and finish up their road trip in Rochester on Friday night, with the first of a home and home with division rival Rochester.
Frattin, who scored 10 goals in 13 playoff games and was arguably the Marlies best forward during their run to the Calder Cup Final, returned to the lineup on November 16 after recovering from off-season knee surgery and has not shown any ill effects, scoring often and not shying away from getting involved physically.
"That's my game, I got to play physical." Frattin said after returning to the lineup "That's when I move my feet. That's kinda what gets me energized and gets the team energized throughout the game."
Providing energy is not the only positive attribute that the 24 year old Edmonton native has added to Dallas Eakins’ club, he has brought a consistent source of offense, as his goal tonight gives him five goals in as many games, but the question is whether Frattin’s goal scoring prowess will translate to the NHL level if we ever get to see regular season hockey.
Frattin had moments with the Leafs in his rookie season, not appearing out of place playing mostly second and third line duty, but in the end it only translated offensively into eight goals in 56 games.
His quick wrist shot and aptitude around the net before getting injured last season and so far this year portends that he could be more than just a depth forward with the Leafs, but a candidate for a top six position.
There are many examples throughout the years who dominate at a lower level, but who cannot achieve the same level of success in the big show. Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau is one such example, as he was an offensive force at the CHL/AHL level, but when called up to the Leafs during the 1970’s, had marginal impact at best.
The question before the Leafs hierarchy is where they think Frattin’s ceiling is. They signed the winger to a two year contract and like what he brings to the club, but do they think he will be a 20 goal scorer who could play on the second power play and fill in on the top line in a pinch or do they have higher hopes??
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