Alex Steeves Scores Fifth Consecutive Goal as Toronto Marlies Complete Season Sweep of San Diego
The Toronto Marlies completed a perfect season sweep of the San Diego Gulls with an emphatic 5-2 victory on Wednesday night, thanks to standout performances from Alex Steeves and Alex Nylander. Steeves extended his scoring streak to five games, while Nylander tallied two goals, propelling the Marlies to their seventh consecutive win over the Gulls this season.
Steeves has been a consistent offensive force for the Marlies, and his performance against San Diego was no exception. The 24-year-old forward has been on a tear recently, and his goal in the second period marked his fifth in as many games. This scoring run underscores Steeves’ importance to the Marlies’ attack and highlights his ability to deliver when it matters most. His chemistry with teammates and his ability to find the back of the net have made him one of the team’s top performers over the last month.
“It feels great to be contributing and getting on the score sheet, but I couldn’t do it without the help of my teammates,” Steeves said after the game. “Everyone is playing really well right now, and it’s been a team effort all the way around.”
Nylander, who has been playing at an extremely high level this season, continued his strong play by netting two goals to further cement the Marlies’ dominance. His first goal came early in the first period, setting the tone for the night. His second came midway through the third period, effectively sealing the win for Toronto. Nylander’s offensive talent has been a key factor in the Marlies’ success, and his two-goal performance added to his growing list of highlight-reel moments this season.
The Marlies’ ability to dominate on both ends of the ice was evident throughout the game. They showed resilience after the Gulls cut the lead to 3-2 early in the third period, responding quickly with two more goals to push the game out of reach. Toronto’s depth was on full display as five different players recorded points in the win, with notable contributions coming from not only Steeves and Nylander, but also other key players in the lineup.
On the defensive end, the Marlies were able to weather some pressure from the Gulls, especially after the visitors gained some momentum early in the third. Goaltender Joseph Woll was solid in net, making timely saves to preserve Toronto’s lead. Woll finished the game with 27 saves, continuing his strong play between the pipes for the Marlies. His ability to step up when needed has been a stabilizing force for the team, and his performance ensured that San Diego would not make a late comeback.
For San Diego, despite a competitive effort, the Marlies’ depth and talent were too much to overcome. The Gulls fought hard, but their inability to match Toronto’s speed and skill ultimately led to another loss in the season series. Even though the Gulls were able to capitalize on a couple of opportunities, the Marlies remained in control for the majority of the contest.
With the win, the Marlies completed the season sweep of San Diego, going 7-0 in their head-to-head meetings. This victory further solidified their position near the top of the AHL standings as they continue to make a strong push toward the playoffs. As they head into the final stretch of the season, the Marlies will look to maintain their momentum and build on the success of players like Steeves and Nylander.
Toronto’s ability to fire on all cylinders, from offense to defense to goaltending, was on full display Wednesday night, and it’s clear that this team is primed for a deep playoff run.
