Easton Cowan has three assists as Marlies win Calder Cup

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As the Maple Leafs continue to try to figure out how to become a Stanley Cup contender, the guys on the farm don’t mind filling in the gaps with some hardware of their own.

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The Toronto Marlies are Calder Cup champions for the second time, and first since 2018, after beating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven final on Friday night.

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“For them to be able to experience this with their families and the fans of Toronto, man, it’s so special,” Marlies coach John Gruden said on the ice in the post-game bedlam. “They get to cherish this for the rest of their lives. They get to walk together as champions for life, and it’s something no one will ever forget. I’m just so glad they were able to do it here in this city.”

Two players who hope to one day be a part of some big-time Leafs success in the playoffs — forward Easton Cowan and goalie Artur Akhtyamov — were instrumental in the Marlies victory before an emotional and loud crowd of 8,682 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

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Akhtyamov named playoffs MVP

Akhtyamov again was excellent in what was his 20th consecutive start. The 24-year-old made 27 saves and won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

“We don’t win the game without him, we don’t win the championship without him,” Gruden said. “He’s a special talent, he’s a special human being. This is going to really go well for his career and springboard him forward into (being) a heck of a goaltender in the NHL.”

As the Marlies celebrated and took their turns lifting the Cup, general manager Ryan Hardy wore a Rodion Amirov jersey. The Leafs’ pick in the first round of the 2020 NHL draft, Amirov died in August 2023 after battling a brain tumour.

Akhtyamov, also chosen in 2020 by Toronto, held Amirov’s jersey for the team photo at centre ice.

“It means a lot,” Akhtyamov said. “He was my friend.”

The play of Akhtyamov was the central factor in the title, but other aspects — a fine blend of veterans and youngsters who brought timely scoring, depth and plenty of character, and Gruden’s ability to make it all work — were crucial.

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And how about Cowan? He has won four hockey championships and he turned 21 just last month.

If that kind of pedigree doesn’t eventually help the Leafs get to where they want to go in the playoffs, we don’t know what will.

Two Ontario Hockey League titles with the London Knights and a Memorial Cup win last year preceded the Calder Cup.

Cowan was clutch again, recording had three assists in Game 5. He finished with 18 points in 22 playoff games after his rookie season with the Leafs ended. Don’t expect Cowan to play in the American Hockey League again.

‘You want to keep winning in Toronto’

“Growing up, this is what you dream of,” Cowan said. “This is the game you love, and this is what I want to do when I’m older. I’m just being grateful each and every day, another day at the rink, and to be able to celebrate with these guys is special.

“Winning is winning, and no matter what league it is, it’s super special and fun, especially in this city. You want to keep winning in Toronto down the road. Right now I’ll enjoy this, but that’s where my goals are.”

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Cowan’s spot on the Leafs next season is secured. Akhtyamov will take a run at a Leafs job in training camp. So will Jacob Quillan and Bo Groulx, among others.

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Cowan made a great gesture afterward, handing the Calder Cup to rookie defenceman Ben Danford after taking his victory lap.

Twice in the OHL finals, Cowan and the Knights beat Danford and the Oshawa Generals. And then this past spring, Danford and the Brantford Bulldogs were upset in the Eastern Conference final.

“Today, he talked about him handing it off to me (if the Marlies won),” Danford said. “We’ve lived together last month and we’re best friends, we’re really tight. For him to do that, it’s really special.

“Feels surreal. It doesn’t feel real. Coming here, this group was so welcoming to me. To be able to win this with them, it means that much more. It’s my third year in the finals, and to get the job done, finally, it feels that much better.”

After spotting the Wolves a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Marlies went to work and scored the next four goals.

Fourth-liner Landon Sim, who hit everything in a Wolves sweater throughout the final, deflected a Matt Benning point shot in the final minute of the first to point the Marlies in the right direction.

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Goals in the second period by Groulx, Quillan and Vinni Lettieri put the Marlies up 4-2 before Chicago’s Felix Unger Sorum scored his second of the game on a power play with six seconds left in the period.

In the moments after Groulx scored, the first chants of “We want the Cup!” went up from the delirious gathering.

They got their wish.

Chayka ‘really impressed’ with Danford

During a Zoom call with media on Friday following the acquisition of defenceman Darren Raddysh, Leafs general manager John Chayka was asked specifically about another righty on the blue line: Danford.

“These are always great stories when you have no involvement to see good selection, proper development process with the development coaches, a high-character kid who is doing everything he can to maximize his abilities,” Chayka said. “Really understands his role, understands what he brings to the table, and is committed to it. I’ve been really impressed. He’s on a great path. It’s going to be a process with him.

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“We have lots of great options on the right side of our defence. We’re going to bring him up the right way. At the right time, when afforded the opportunity, he certainly projects to be an impact player at the NHL level.”

After coming to the Marlies from Brantford, Danford played in 16 playoff games and was quietly effective on a pairing with Marshall Rifai. At the age of 20, no less.

We’re with Chayka in his assessment of Danford. The Belleville native has a bright hockey future.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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