West Final starts tonight

Photo Courtesy of the Toronto Marlies

Clayton Theriault
Staff Writer

The Toronto Marlies are perfect so far in the postseason. After sweeping the Milwaukee Admirals in three games and the Chicago Wolves in four, the Marlies advanced to the American Hockey League's Western Conference Final for the second time in three years. They are the only team in the AHL that has not registered a loss in the first two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Western Conference Final will, without a doubt, be their biggest test yet as they will be facing off against the Texas Stars, a team that led the AHL with 106 points after posting aa record of 48-18-3-7 during the regular season. The Marlies and Stars split their four game season series 2-2.

If the Marlies want to have success against the Stars they must continue their special teams dominance. Toronto's penalty-killing percentage is 89.7, while their power play percentage is at 25. Similarly, the Stars penalty-killing percentage is at 86.7. Their power play percentage is 22. Through two rounds it is apparent that discipline is a must from both teams in this series.

Game one of the Western Conference Final begins tonight at 8:30 p.m in Texas. The game can be seen on LeafsTV.