The Toronto Marlies sit four wins away from bringing home the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup for the second time in franchise history.
The Marlies have found themselves on a somewhat unlikely run to the finals, a run that began all the way back on April 22 and has seen them defeat the Rochester Americans, Laval Rocket, Cleveland Monsters, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and now they are set to open a series with the Chicago Wolves.
In the first three series the Marlies squared off in, all required a winner-take-all elimination game before the Marlies were able to dispatch the Penguins in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. In every series clinching win, the Marlies allowed two goals or less, with the common denominator being the play of goaltender Artur Akhtyamov.
Akhtyamov has been the star of these playoffs for the Marlies, posting a record of 11-6-0, a goals-against average of 2.12 and a save percentage of 0.927 through his 17 games played while also recording a shutout during the opening game of the playoffs against the Americans.
“It’s crazy; I’ve never seen a goalie like him, especially for him to play like this in the playoffs. It’s the biggest difference maker when it comes to playoffs, having a hot goalie, you could go all the way,” Danford said. “So, props to him; we wouldn’t be here without him, and he’s just an unreal human being. He’s humble and just wants what’s best for the team. He’s been great.”
The high level of play is nothing new for Akhtyamov, as the 24-year-old was named an AHL All-Star for the first time this season and finished the year off with a 21-12-4 record, 2.88 GAA and 0.904 SV%. Due to his success at the AHL and coupled with goaltending injuries throughout the season to both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, Akhtyamov was called upon this year to make his NHL debut.
Despite the amount of work Akhtyamov saw, highlighted by 71 saves over his three appearances, Akhtyamov wasn’t satisfied with his performance over his brief stint at the game’s highest level.
“I learned a lot because it was a good year with the experience I got. I played a couple games in the NHL, so there was some good learning for me because obviously I wasn’t very good there,” Akhtyamov said. “I need to work more.”
While the pressure during these finals may be at the highest point it has been during Akhtyamov’s young professional career, the goaltender knows what he needs to do to remain successful and continue on this strong run he’s displayed.
“I just need to stay calm like my goalie coach Hannu [Toivonen] told me,” Akhtyamov said. “It’s the same game in my mind, so I’ll prepare the same as the regular season.”