The Toronto Marlies have already clinched their playoff spot, and they know they will play the Rochester Americans in the best-of-five game first round, however the last place in the division is still to be determined, and both the Marlies final two opponents of the season are playing down to the wire to win that spot.
First up on Saturday were the Belleville Senators. It’s the time of year where there may be no specific advantage to winning a game for the Marlies, but playing against a desperate team is excellent preparation for the playoffs. Chris Mueller described the game as a “dress rehearsal to get ourselves ready for playoff hockey.