TORONTO - The Toronto Marlies are heading into the Calder Cup final without their leading scorer.
Matt Frattin will miss the AHL championship series against the Norfolk Admirals, which starts Friday, after learning he needs surgery to repair a damaged knee.
"Matt Frattin is done for the playoffs," Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins said after Tuesday's practice. "He sustained a knee injury that will require surgery. I have no time line for rehab and that kind of stuff. All I know is he won't play again this season."
The 24-year-old injured his knee in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Barons when he crashed awkwardly into the net after scoring his second goal of the night.
Frattin's absence is a huge blow to the Marlies as he leads AHL playoff scorers with 10 goals in 13 games. Dating back to the regular season he has 27 goals in 46 games with the Marlies.
The Edmonton native was playing on both the No. 1 line and the top power-play unit before going down. Replacing his offensive contributions will be difficult.
It's unclear who will take Frattin's spot in the lineup, however Greg McKegg skated on a line with Phil Dupuis and Nicolas Deschamps Tuesday.
The timing couldn't be better for McKegg, who joined the Marlies on Tuesday after wrapping up his junior season with the London Knights.
"He's a guy whose junior season is over and he's an option," said Eakins. "He's played at a high level over the last few weeks and that bodes well for him."
The one bright light at Tuesday's practice was that defencemen Korbinian Holzer and Mark Fraser took part in full team drills after resting on Monday.
Forward Mike Zigomanis skated on his own but didn't stay on the ice when the team arrived.
Wingers Marcel Mueller and Carter Ashton skated in non-contact jerseys and still aren't cleared to play yet while forward Nazem Kadri did not skate at all and Eakins was tight-lipped about his status.
The Marlies will practise once more in Toronto before flying to Norfolk Wednesday afternoon.
