What to know
- The Toronto Marlies won the Calder Cup for the second time in franchise history Friday night.
- The Marlies beat out the Chicago Wolves, winning the American Hockey League series 4-1.
- Torontonians on social media are collectively manifesting a 2027 Stanley Cup for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that has been down on their luck in recent years.
For the second time in franchise history, the Toronto Marlies took home the Calder Cup and Torontonians are already roasting the Maple Leafs on social media.
On Friday Night, the Marlies edged out the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in Game 5 of the American Hockey League (AHL) championship, winning the series 4-1.
This is the second time the Maple Leafs’ minor league counterparts have taken the Calder Cup home, last winning the trophy in 2018 over the Texas Stars.
Unlike the Leafs, the Marlies have made it to the AHL finals three times in recent history, logging their first trophy attempt in 2012.
Best in-game moments
In the final moments of the first period, forward Landon Sim scored with 28 seconds left, decreasing Chicago’s lead to 2-1.
During the second period, center Vinni Lettieri scored a crucial power-play goal. Forwards Benoit-Olivier Groulx and Jacob Quillan also scored in the second period.
Marlies’ goalie Artur Akhtyamov saved 27 shots, winning the Jack A. Butterfield trophy for most valuable player.
Torontonians aren’t holding back
Dozens of salty Maple Leafs fans flocked to X, comparing the Marlie’s win to the Leaf’s lackluster performance.
Under a Sportsnet post celebrating the Marlie’s win, one comment reads, “The city of Toronto celebrates championship after championship after championship in all the major sports except for NHL hockey. The pathetic Toronto Maple leafs are ruining the city’s reputation of being nothing but a champion 🙄😴”
Another hockey fan delivered a backhanded compliment, writing, “Way to go! Your NHL team is an embarrassment but congrats.”
But a couple Leaf’s fans still had faith in their team, writing, “confirmed 2027 stanley cup winner 🫡” and “confirmed: Toronto maple leafs win the Stanley Cup in 2027.”
Let’s hope the manifesting works.
The 2027 NHL season is set to start in early to mid October.
