Artur Akhtyamov stole a season-saving game for the Marlies and the Maple Leafs should take notice
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Marlies live to see Game 5 after defeating Cleveland 5-2 and could set themselves up for a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday.
Facing elimination the Toronto Marlies needed to make sure they put in a strong effort and it was their young guns who made a statement. Ben Danford got his first career professional point, meanwhile Artur Akhtyamov put together arguably his best performance of the entire postseason in a 5-2 win on Friday.
On Friday night at Coca-Cola Coliseum, the Marlies faithful were waiting with bated breath as they hoped the season would extend a little bit longer. Facing a strong Cleveland side coming off a shutout win, Toronto needed to come out swinging as their backs were against the wall.
The Marlies young guns provide all the firepower for Toronto in Game 4 vs. Cleveland
Well it wasn't the veteran NHL players who took control this game, but the young guns as the team was led by a three-point night from Ryan Tverberg, who scored twice and added an assist. Jacob Quillan was right behind him with a goal and an assist, meanwhile Ben Danford registered his first career point.
Danford was the catalyst who set Quillan free in the neutral zone and his simple but impeccable pass allowed Quillan to skate up ice and score. It was a small and inconspicuous but incredible important play.
All of this plus a stellar effort from Artur Akhtyamov ensured that the team would live to see another day. Akhtyamov stopped 36 of 38 shots, and when he's making saves like this - Toronto's win had to be inevitable:
The game wasn't without it's fair share of fireworks, as Marlies forwards Reese Johnson, Michael Pezzetta and Landon Sim all received 10-minute misconducts after starting a giant fracas with a minute left to play in the game.
Toronto has a chance to close the series out on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland, with the game slated to start at 3 PM ET.
Marlies youngsters make a huge statement ahead of 2026-27 Maple Leafs season
There's more than just a Calder Cup at stake for the Marlies roster, as several of the players are looking to make the leap to the NHL and tonight's performance absolutely proved that a few belong in the conversation.
Quillan has deserved a bottom-six spot for a year now, and with his blend of scoring and defence he's a great young replacement for Calle Jarnkrok or Steven Lorentz. Tverberg is someone who doesn't get a lot of attention but with eight points in 12 games this postseason, he has proven he can show up when it counts.
Then you have Danford who finally got his first point, and looked very poised and controlled all night. He might not take the leap immediately given a bit of a logjam on the backend but Toronto has a special player on their hands who is hungry to win, and he very well could fight for a spot come training camp.
But the biggest story is Akhtyamov as he can be the person who replaces Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll as part of the Maple Leafs and in turn gives them the pieces they need in return. This postseason he's had his ups and downs but holds a 6-4-0 record with a 2.20 GAA and .922 SV%, so he's shown up when he needs to.
He actually usurped Dennis Hildeby and if Akhtyamov can end up making a strong case for an NHL job come October - we may see a big shift in net.
It looks like the Maple Leafs pipeline is doing quite well for themselves, and if they can find themselves past Cleveland in the North Division Finals then they might have a chance to win it all.
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