Rochester: No goals
Goaltender: D. Levi (27/32) L
Toronto: M. Pezzetta (1) (D. Mermis, M. Johnstone), B. Groulx (1) (V. Lettieri), V. Lettieri (1) PP (W. Villeneuve, L. Shaw), V. Lettieri (2) (Unassisted), V. Lettieri (3) PP (E. Cowan)
Goaltender: A. Akhtyamov (16/16) W
- Michael Pezzetta opened the scoring at 7:07 of the first period. This was Pezzetta’s first professional playoff game.
- Bo Groulx scored at 14:33 of the first period. This was his second career playoff goal. He recorded 52 points (28 goals, 24 assists) in 59 games during the regular season.
- Vinni Lettieri scored his first career playoff hat trick – recording goals at 19:20 of the first period and at 13:51 and 19:56 of the second period. He earlier registered the primary assist on Groulx’s first period goal.
- Dakota Mermis recorded the primary assist on Pezzetta’s first period goal. He has seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 12 career playoff games.
- Marc Johnstone had the secondary assist on Pezzetta’s first period goal. He has appeared in nine career playoff games, recording two assists.
- Logan Shaw picked up the secondary assist on Lettieri’s first period goal. He has 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) in 20 career playoff games.
- William Villeneuve recorded the primary assist on Lettieri’s first period power play goal. He has three assists in three career playoff games.
- Easton Cowan had the lone assist on Lettieri’s second goal of the second period. This was his first professional playoff point.
- Artur Akhtyamov stopped all 16 shots he faced. This was his first career AHL playoff game.
| TEAM NOTES Toronto is 11-4 in the opening game of the playoffs.Vinni Lettieri’shat trick was the first recorded at home by Toronto since May 23, 2019. This was Toronto’s ninth playoff hat trick.This was Toronto’s 12th shutout in playoff history. Toronto last recorded a shutout at home on Apr. 29, 2018.The Marlies were 1-for-1 on the penalty kill and 0-for-5 on the power play. Toronto is 15-18-4-4 when not scoring on the power play and 24-9-2-2 when not allowing a goal on the penalty kill.Toronto outshot Rochester 32-16. Bo Groulx led the Marlies with five shots on net. |
| MARLIES LEADERS *Amongst active players Goals 3 (V. Lettieri) Assists 1 (Multiple players) Points 4 (V. Lettieri) PPG 2 (V. Lettieri) Shots 5 (B. Groulx) +/- +2 (B. Groulx, V, Lettieri, L. Shaw) PIMS 12 (J. Quillan) |
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH JOHN GRUDEN
On tonight’s game:
We know in a best-of-three we can’t afford to have a bad start, especially against a team that transitions like they do and gets after any mistake that you make … We did a really good job of managing that establishing some forecheck time and making them defend – that started right from the drop of the puck. We’re going to have to be even better at it when we go to Rochester to their building.
On the special teams:
Outstanding special teams for us. Cédric Paré to see him with that blocked shot, the sacrifices that we did against a really dangerous power play were unbelievable. Our D did a really good if they got an opportunity not giving them that second and third. When Artie was there, he made the saves. Got to keep that going but it was definitely a great way to start.
BO GROULX (1 GOAL)
On Vinni Lettieri:
He was good all night. He has a bomb of a shot. I have no problem him looking me off in scoring. I love it. When he plays like that, confident and shoots the puck. He’s a very, very dangerous player. He’s been for a long time. When he’s playing like that, he’s fun to play with because he’s on the puck, he’s tenacious in the corners, he makes a lot of plays and when we need a big goal, he’s there for that. I’m happy for him.
VINNI LETTIERI (3 GOALS, 1 ASSIST)
On Artur Akhtyamov:
First off, he’s just a phenomenal teammate. He’s a great guy. He works hard every single day. Both him and Dennis just bring it everyday and do the extra work, and you could see it tonight. That’s just a product of his hard work and just being a good teammate. Guys blocking shots for him, he’s just doing a lot of great things. And you could see when he went up (to the NHL) just his athleticism and some of the big saves he can make. He’s a great goaltender and we’re very lucky to have him and Dennis.
UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time
Game 2 – April 24 at Rochester – 7:05 p.m.
*Game 3 – April 26 vs. Rochester – 4:00 p.m
