The Toronto Marlies went ahead 1-0 in the Calder Cup Final meanwhile Ben Danford managed to score his first professional goal as he progresses towards an NHL job.
Toronto earned their first Calder Cup Final win since 2018 on Friday night as they took Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final with a 4-2 win against the Chicago Wolves. Vinni Lettieri scored twice including the game-winner, and Artur Akhtyamov was sharp as always but it was Ben Danford who was the real story of the night - scoring his first professional goal.
Danford was a fairly late addition to the Marlies playoff roster after being eliminated in the OHL Playoffs, and while he hasn't made a statement on the scoresheet, he's certainly been everything as advertised.
He's blocking shots, playing exceptional defence and giving the Maple Leafs hope that he can be their shutdown defender of the future.
Ben Danford's first pro goal sets the stage for the Marlies to take Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final
But for as good as he is defensively, he has been showing a bit more versatility and the offensive side has started to leak. Call it confidence, or call it swagger; Danford is feeling himself. After acknowledging that he wants to make the Maple Leafs next year, he's doing a fine job auditioning for the part.
And on Friday he made a little bit of personal history:
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Danford tied the game at one with his first career professional goal, and boy did he make it count as he absolutely wired a wrist shot top corner on Amir Miftakhov. He was absolutely pumped as his teammates on the ice swarmed him.
Danford has only 13 goals since the 2022-23 season and he couldn't have scored a bigger one. But after he tied the game, it was Chicago who took the lead until Cedric Pare tied it with less than a minute left:
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Vinni Lettieri then sealed the deal with an unbelievable solo effort as he outmuscled the Wolves defense and put it past Miftakhov:
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Artur Akhtyamov made 26 saves in the contest to push his record to 12-6-0 with a 2.12 GAA and .927 SV%. Those numbers have helped carry the Marlies this far, and if he can keep this up then they have a great shot at winning.
What's next for the Toronto Marlies in their quest for the Calder Cup
Well besides a well-deserved celebration, they have to get some shuteye as early as possible considering they are back at it on Sunday afternoon. It's a 3PM ET start so it's not as bad as some of the games they played this year but it leaves little room for rest.
If Toronto wins they head back home with a 2-0 lead and the chance to seal the deal with wins in Games 2 and 3. If they lose they head back for three straight at home before heading to Chicago for the final two if necessary.
The Marlies need to keep their momentum and spirits high and can't let a loss deter them.
They made it this far and their heart played a huge part. Lettieri needs to be commended as well as he leads the AHL in playoff points with 20 points in 19 games, but it should give the Maple Leafs something to think about regarding a bottom-six role in Toronto next year.
They got the first one out of the way, and now it's onto Game 2 where they hope for more of the same result.
Does Ben Danford deserve a spot on the Maple Leafs next year?
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