Some people may think it's a temporary benefit of the NHL lockout but it started last spring. After finishing with the 3rd best record in the AHL last season, the Marlies went on a tear in the AHL playoffs and made it to the Calder Cup championships before running out of bodies.
They had sell outs and near sell outs in the playoffs and continue to attract fans. Season ticket sales were up significantly and that was before the NHL lockout began. Top ticket prices are just $45 which barely gets in you in the ACC.
The Marlies are a mix of NHL prospects and skilled minor leaguers with little chance of making Leafs. Under the prospect category is: Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Korbinian Holzer, Ben Scrivens, Jesse Blacker, Greg McKegg, Leo Kormarov and Jerry D'Amigo. While the minor veterans are: Mike Zigomanis, Keith Aucoin, Mike Kostka, Ryan Hamilton and Mark Fraser. Then there is Jake Gardner who is an NHLer eligible to play in the AHL during the lockout.
Last night the Marlies dominated Rochester for much of the game and scoring all their goals on the powerplay in a 3-1 win. First star was Hamilton who had 2 goals including a great move in front of the net for the Marlies' 3rd goal. Second star was Gardner who scored a nice goal on a set up from Kadri. Kadri showed a lot of speed. Third star was Kostka who joined the Marlies from Norfolk as a free agent and is a local boy. He was every effective on the point with Gardner and finished with 7 shots and 2 assists.
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