The begin of 2025 was tough for the Toronto Marlies, however they acquired their footing into the brand new 12 months and completed the month on a a lot better observe than they began with. They completed January with a 7-2-0 document of their final ten video games after dropping their first 4 video games within the new 12 months. They performed 13 video games and completed the month with a document of 7-6-0-1, pushing their general document to 31-24-11-2-3 (they performed one sport in February thus far, which was a loss in additional time).
Goaltending and protection had been key components on this month’s efficiency. The group both had excellent performances from their protection and goaltending, comparable to shutting out the Manitoba Moose in back-to-back video games, or giving up six objectives towards the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Right here’s a take a look at our three stars for January 2025.
Third Star: Joseph Blandisi
After getting his first nomination for a star of the month again in December, Joseph Blandisi continues to shine together with his efficiency within the latter half of January. After just one help within the first six video games of January, he completed the final 4 video games with three objectives and 4 assists for six factors, together with a short-handed purpose towards the Bakersfield Condors that noticed him end together with his third profession three-point evening on Jan. 22.
After discovering some nice chemistry on the third line with Cedric Pare and Kyle Clifford final month, as said, Blandisi went chilly to start out the brand new 12 months and was shuffled across the lineup to see if he may reignite that fireplace he had final month. It took a while, however he discovered it with Alex Steeves and the returning Roni Hirvonen, who missed nearly a month with an harm. Even head coach John Gruden commented on his three-point efficiency and the way he taken care of being on a little bit of a chilly streak.
“I believed Roni did a extremely good job,” stated Gruden. “He performs predictably and is all the time in place. [Steeves] scores us two large objectives, and I believed it was [Blandisi’s] finest sport shortly, too. He was excellent. It looks like one line steps up each evening, and we’re going to proceed to wish everybody.”
He additionally appeared in his two hundredth sport and scored his 59th profession purpose towards the San Jose Barracuda on Jan. 26. Now as much as eight objectives and 13 assists for 21 factors on the season, a robust second half from Blandisi could possibly be an important piece the Marlies may use to make a deep push into the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Second Star: Matt Murray
Like Blandisi’s begin of the month, Matt Murray struggled early in January in his first three begins. He posted a 0-3-0 document and allowed seven objectives on 59 photographs, however his subsequent 4 begins helped flip issues round for him and the group because the month progressed. He went 4-0-0 in his subsequent 4 begins and solely allowed three objectives on 99 photographs, together with two back-to-back shutouts towards the Manitoba Moose. His 23-save shutout victory on Jan. 17 was his two hundredth profession skilled win (NHL: 147-87-24, AHL: 53-27-8). It wasn’t a busy night, however he produced clutch saves at key instances. His second shutout efficiency on Jan. 19 was his third shutout of the season, turning apart 32 photographs.
The Marlies’ goaltending has been up and down, contemplating they’ve used 4 goaltenders up so far within the season. Nonetheless, seeing a veteran like Murray carry out this properly is superb, and Gruden continues to provide Murray his flowers in these moments.
“[Murray] is simply strong,” stated Gruden. “By no means too excessive or too low, you by no means know if he’s given up three or not given up any. He’s unflappable again there. He has gained a few Stanley Cups and has been round for a very long time. It’s contagious by way of the group and thru the protection. It trickles down. Couldn’t be extra pleased with him.”
With a document of 8-4-2-3, a save share (SV%) of .934, and a goals-against common (GAA) of 1.68 in 15 video games performed, Murray is tied for second-most shutouts within the season. Amongst goaltenders who’ve began 14 video games or extra, he has the second-best SV% and finest GAA within the AHL.
First Star: Alex Steeves
Taking residence the second consecutive First Star of the Month award, Alex Steeves has been producing exceptionally properly all through January and has taken his sport to an all-new stage. Ending the month with 9 objectives and two assists for 11 factors, Steeves is on the run to cement himself as one of many best Marlies ever to play whereas displaying why he must be a participant the Maple Leafs name up as they desperately want depth scoring.
Associated: Toronto Marlies Shine in California
Three of his 11 objectives got here from the facility play, and two had been game-winners. He has 25 objectives this season and is simply two away from tying the profession excessive he set final season (2023-24). He’s at the moment within the lead for many objectives within the AHL. When he scored his twenty fourth purpose on Jan. 31, that was his Seventeenth-career game-winner, and he now sits one behind the franchise’s all-time main purpose scorer, Ryan Hamilton, after scoring 5 objectives within the final 5 video games.
With 25 objectives, 15 assists, and 40 factors, he’s tied for fourth within the AHL in factors. His contract expires within the offseason, making him a gaggle 6 unrestricted free agent, and establishing what can be a really attention-grabbing summer time. A participant turns into a gaggle 6 UFA if they’re 25 years of age, accomplished three or extra skilled seasons, have a contract expiring, and have performed lower than 80 NHL video games.
The Marlies are set to play 11 video games in February and have already performed one towards the Condors and misplaced 3-2 within the shootout. Their subsequent sport can be towards the Laval Rockets on Feb. 7 at residence.
