Toronto Marlies eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs

The Toronto Marlies waited until the last possible game of the season to clinch a playoff spot, and they missed out. Today’s 5-2 loss to the Belleville Senators left them one single standings point short of a playoff spot. Instead of the Marlies, the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres affiliates) will advance in their place for the North Division.

To say this is a disappointment is an understatement. This is the first time the Marlies have missed going to the playoffs since 2011, but more so because they spent much of this season sitting as high as second place in the division standings. The slide only started this spring, and then accelerated recently, notably including not only today’s…