TORONTO -- The Toronto Marlies are hoping they learned from last years post-season experience as they enter their second round matchup against the Chicago Wolves on Friday. Curtis Samuel Panthers Jersey . Toronto swept the Rochester Americans in the first round of the 2013 Calder Cup playoffs, had eight days off before the second round, dropped Game 1 against the Grand Rapids Griffins 7-0 at Ricoh Coliseum and eventually lost the series in six games. The Marlies are currently on a six-day break following their first round sweep of the Milwaukee Admirals. "Thats something we didnt do very good last year," said Marlies starter Drew MacIntyre, who posted a .955 save percentage and a 1.55 goals-against average in the first round. "AHL playoffs is frustrating in that sense. You get long layoffs regardless and weve got to do a better job than we did last year." Game 2 of the series goes Saturday before moving to Toronto May 14 for Games 3, 4, and 5 in a 2-3-2 format. Toronto (45-25-6) went 1-1-0 in two meetings against the Midwest Division-winning Wolves (45-21-10) during the regular season. Marlies goaltender Garrett Sparks, who started both games against Chicago during the regular season, grew up less than 18 kilometres from All State Arena, the home of the Wolves. "Theyre very dynamic offensively, but we match up very well against them, our systems are very solid and were going to have to do our best to neutralize them," said Sparks, who is expecting friends and family in attendance at the Chicago games. "If we play our game, ultimately we give ourselves the best chance to win." One benefit of the six-day break for the Marlies is the opportunity for key forwards to get completely healthy. Both Peter Holland (lower body) and Spencer Abbott (shoulder) will make their post-season debut in Game 1. The pair, along with Carter Ashton who missed the first two games of the first round with a knee injury, skated on a line together Wednesday at the teams final practice before leaving Toronto. The additions of Abbott and Holland could make decisions difficult for coach Steve Spott, who will likely have to scratch veterans. "Its going to be tough," said Spott. "Were going to have to make sure that everyone is communicated to, well be honest, well be transparent and those guys will get their chances." Spott is quite familiar with the Chicago Wolves coaching staff as coached Wolves coach John Andersons son, Spencer, during his OHL days in Kitchener. The Marlies coach also played for Wolves assistant coach Dave Allison with the ECHLs Richmond Renegades during the 1990-91 season. "I know its going to be a tough series," said Spott. "Theyre dynamic, their skilled, theyve got a great veteran presence, a goalie I know well in Jake Allen from our World Junior team -- arguably one of the top goalies in the American Hockey League. "Were going to have to be smart, were going to have to be structured in all three zones against this team because if we give up odd-man rushes and we take poor penalties theyre going to capitalize." Allen, who won the leagues top goaltender award during the regular season, is 3-2-0 in five starts this post-season. He has a 2.85 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage. Wolves forward Dmitrij Jaskin is the AHLs leading scorer after the first round with two goals and five assists in five games. Defenceman Brent Regner added six points in the five games to lead all Chicago blue-liners Marlies Jerry DAmigo is tied for second in league scoring with six points in three games while captain Trevor Smith had five assists in the Milwaukee series. "Theyre a veteran team, they have a lot of good guys," said DAmigo, "but were a strong team too so were going to do our home work on them, we have these past few days and were going to be ready to play on Friday." Luke Kuechly Panthers Jersey .Y. - Brooklyn Nets centre Brook Lopez has a strained lower back and will miss at least a week. Cam Newton Youth Jersey . The 6-foot-10 centre who won an NBA title with the Miami Heat was voted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday, adding that honour to becoming a board member at his alma mater. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panthers-cam-newton-blue-jersey/ .com) - Jahlil Okafor had 21 points, Tyus Jones scored 16 with 10 assists and No. MIAMI -- When Henderson Alvarez closed out his shutout with a strikeout, the right-hander spun on the mound and threw a celebratory uppercut that landed on his left shoulder. That was as hard as he was hit all night. Alvarez pitched a six-hitter for his second shutout this season, and the Miami Marlins won again at home, beating the New York Mets 3-0 Tuesday night. Relying mostly on his sinker and changeup, Alvarez struck out seven, walked none and threw 111 pitches. "I just concentrated on keeping my breaking ball down and letting the batter swing," he said. Miami improved to a major league-best 16-5 at Marlins Park, and is 7-1 on the current homestand with one game left. The Marlins clinched the series and have won seven of their eight home series, but theyre 2-10 on the road. "Were playing with a lot of confidence right now," manager Mike Redmond said. "Hopefully we can finish it off Wednesday and go on the road and start winning some games out of our suitcase. Thats big right now in our development process." Alvarez (2-2) completed the victory by striking out Curtis Granderson on three pitches with a runner on third. He retired the side in order only three times but was helped by two double plays and a fine play by third baseman Casey McGehee, who threw out a batter from foul territory. Alvarezs quick tempo helped the defence, McGehee said. "When stuff is happening and you dont get flatfooted out there, it makes it easier," McGehee said. "You feel like youre in the flow of the game." The victory took only 2:08. "Nice to be able to get a little extra sleep for the 12:40 game Wednesday," Redmond said. Alvarezs only other victory this year was a complete-game 7-0 victory over Seattle on April 19 -- at home, of course. He now has four career shutouts, including a no-hitter against Detroit on the final day of last season. He has the most shutouts of any active pitcher with 65 career starts or less. "When you see nights like this, you realize this guy has a chance to be really, really good," Redmond said. "It just comes down to consistency for him.. Luke Kuechly Jersey. ." The Mets, who went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, were shut out for the third time. "Youve got to get the big hit, as they got," manager Terry Collins said. "We didnt get any." McGehee had a pair of RBI singles and is now batting .441 with runners in scoring position. Hitting mostly cleanup, he has no homers but 23 RBIs. Bartolo Colon (2-5) allowed three runs in seven innings. He also went 0 for 2, striking out both times, leaving Mets pitchers at 0 for 56 this season with 30 strikeouts. Alvarez allowed a leadoff double in the fourth but retired the next three batters, including David Wright and Granderson on lineouts. Wright grounded out to end the sixth with runners at second and third. "When Alvarez has his A stuff like tonight, and you have a good at-bat and hit a ball hard, its pretty frustrating," Wright said, "because you know theres not going to be too many opportunities when hes throwing the ball like he is." The Marlins won with seven hits. NL home run leader Giancarlo Stanton missed one by inches when he hit an RBI double that caromed off the wall near the 418-foot sign in centre field in the first inning. He scored on a single by McGehee. The Marlins put together three consecutive two-out singles in the fifth, the last by McGehee to make it 3-0. "These guys are red hot here," Collins said. "Were going to get hot, too." NOTES: The Marlins released INF Greg Dobbs. ... Marlins INF Rafael Furcal, who has endured repeated setbacks trying to recover from hamstring and groin injuries, returned to extended spring training in Jupiter, and theres no timetable for his next rehabilitation assignment. ... The retractable roof was open on a 79-degree night. ... Marlins LF Christian Yelich visited a class of sixth-graders Tuesday and took questions. "My favourite one was, Do your parents still love you now that youre in the big leagues?" Yelich said. ... Mets RHP Zack Wheeler (1-3, 5.13) is scheduled to pitch against RHP Tom Koehler (3-2, 2.41) in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. ' ' '