San Diego Marlins One Win Away from Semi-Final

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Through five games versus the Mississauga Hounds, the Marlins have a slight 3-2 series edge heading into Game 6 tonight in San Diego. The feel of the series has shifted as of late though. The Marlins kicked off the best-of-seven with two straight wins on the road in Mississauga. In Game 1,  defenseman Nikita Eklund was the catalyst for much of San Diego's offense. Eklund has three assists and also scored a goal of their own for a very impressive four-point showing as the Marlins came out on top 7-5 in a high-scoring affair. Game 2 was more of the same as the Marlins got contributions from up and down the lineup. Johnny Xavier and Maxwell Matthias specifically had strong showings, as each player ended with three points apiece. Headed back to San Diego for Game 3 up 2-0, many had written off the Hounds in this series, but sure enough when their backs were up against the wall, Mississauga delivered. James Teekirque and Vasile Lamb both looked great and had a goal and an assist each in a strong 5-3 win for the Hounds.

 

Game 4 had very different tone. You could tell that both teams understood the importance at what was at stake in this game. Mississauga had a chance to even the series to make it a best-of-three, while the Marlins had a chance to go up 3-1 and be in the driver's seat for the remainder of the series. The defense and goaltending was definitely the best we've seen all series in this game, but it was the Marlins who came out ahead 3-1 after the final whistle blew. Marlins goalie Bubbles Utonium played exceptionally, stopping 28 of 29 shots for a .966 save percentage. On the brink of elimination, the Hounds would go back on home-ice for Game 5, and they did not let their fans down. They doubled up the Marlins 6-3, led by a dominating performance by Vasile Lamb who scored two goals and added two helpers. 

 

That brings us to tonight. The series has shifted back to hot and sunny San Diego where the Marlins will look to clinch the series on home ice and move into the final four. Both teams are incredibly deep with talent, so it should be interesting to see who emerges from the matchup as the better team. Catch all the action tonight LIVE at 7PM EST/ 10PM PST on VHLTV LIVE!