With the National Hockey League and its Players’ Association in the midst of yet another lockout, hockey fans need to quench their thirst for quality competition.
The Toronto Marlies are set to kickoff the 2012-13 regular season at the Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday against the Rochester Americans.
Watch the Toronto Marlies’ home opener Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on Sportsnet ONE.
There are high expectations surrounding the Marlies this season after finishing with the third-best record in the AHL last season and reaching the Calder Cup final, only to come up short against the Norfolk Admirals.
The Marlies will rely on players like Jake Gardiner, Matt Frattin and Nazem Kadri, who have experience with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team will also count on the likes of Mike Zigomanis and Keith Aucoin for veteran leadership.
Starting goaltender Ben Scrivens is coming off a terrific season and like in so many games last year, his performance could be the difference between a win and a loss.
Rochester is coming off a 6-5 shootout win over the Syracuse Crunch in their season debut Friday. The team is led by former Vancouver Canuck Cody Hodgson and also have a good crop of young talent. Top Buffalo Sabres prospects Marcus Foligno and Corey Tropp, who had two goals in the opener, are players to watch.
The road back to the Calder Cup begins today.
Hockey in Toronto is back.
