  Marlies forward Matt Frattin scores before crashing into an empty net on Friday, May 25, 2012, which resulted in a knee injury that will require surgery. (Michael Peake/QMI Agency) |
TORONTO - The Toronto Marlies' quest for their first Calder Cup just became all that harder.
Winger Matt Frattin, who was a force physically and on the scoresheet, will be lost for the rest of the American Hockey League playoffs with a knee injury that will require surgery.
Frattin, who has a league post-season best 10 goals and shares the team lead with 13 points, was hurt in Game 5 of the Western Final in a bold play to score an empty netter to eliminate the Oklahoma City Barons. Frattin crashed into the net in a race for the puck.
He also had 15 points in 56 games with the Leafs.
Toronto, which opens the best-of-seven Calder final Friday in Virginia against the Norfolk Admirals, is already missing forwards Mike Zigomanis and Nazem Kadri and have a number of defencemen working through various injuries.
Forward Greg McKegg joined the Marlies for practice on Tuesday after his London Knights were eliminated from the Memorial Cup.
