Artur Akhtyamov stops 26 shots, Marlies drop Game 3 to Cleveland

Cleveland defeated the Toronto Marlies 4-0 to take control of a best-of-5 North Division Final series. The Monsters won again after outshooting Toronto 30-16 and limiting the Marlies to 10 shots through two periods. Artur Akhtyamov was Toronto’s top performer, stopping 26 shots in the shutout loss. Akhtyamov had a major role in the Marlies’ playoff run with a 5-3-0 record, a 2.23 goals-against average, and a 0.918 save percentage. He received a three-year, $2.7 million contract extension before making his NHL debut, then made additional starts with Toronto, finishing the NHL season with a 0-2-0 record, 4.76 GAA, and 0.877 SV%.

"The Cleveland Monsters defeated the Marlies 4-0 and took control of the best-of-5 series. The Monsters were the beating team for the second straight game, outshooting the Marlies 30 to 16, and holding them to only 10 shots through two periods. The Marlies' best player on the night was goaltender Artur Akhtyamov, who turned aside 26 shots in the loss."

"The 24-year-old has been a major part of the Marlies' playoff run, putting together a 5-3-0 record, a 2.23 goals-against average and 0.918 save percentage. The Toronto Maple Leafs' 2020 fourth-round draft pick earned himself both a contract extension and a National Hockey League debut after becoming an American Hockey League All-Star for the first time in his career. Akhtyamov was signed to a three-year, $2.7 million extension on March 15, prior to receiving his first NHL start."

"After making his NHL debut on December 13 in relief of Dennis Hildeby during a 6-3 loss, where Akhtyamov stopped all five shots, the netminder was tasked with his first career start on April 9 during a 5-3 loss against the New York Islanders. Akhtyamov stopped 39 of 44 shots in the loss, flashing the athleticism that allowed him to win 21 games with the Marlies this season."

"During the North Division Semifinals, following a Game 3 win in which Akhtyamov made 26 saves, Marlies defenceman William Villeneuve spoke about the impact that a goalie like Akhtyamov has on this group. "He's one of the best human beings I've ever met, and it's really easy to get out there and play in front of him. He brings a lot of confidence and calmness to our group, and it showed in the past couple"

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