Maple Leafs organization reeling as injuries also piling up at a rapid rate for the Marlies

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had to deal with a litany of injuries all season long, and things haven't been any easier for their AHL affiliate in the Toronto Marlies, who are currently without the services of several key players.

Earlier this week, the Marlies posted their injury report with the likes of goaltender Ken Appleby (lower-body), forward Reese Johnson (lower-body), and defenseman William Villeneuve (illness) labelled as week-to-week. Additionally forward Travis Boyd (lower body) and defenseman Cade Webber (lower body) were day-to-day.

Boyd was able to return ahead of their contest against Laval last night, in which he scored a goal, however the game got out of hand, and several suspensions had been levied on both sides, including 3 games for forward Michael Pezzetta.

Boyd does give the Marlies a little more juice as he currently sits second on the team in points with 17 and is tied for first in goals with 9. However, the losses of Appleby and Villeneuve could prove to be costly.

With Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov up with the Maple Leafs and Appleby sidelined, the Marlies have had to rely on Vyacheslav Peksa, who has gone 2-3-0 in 7 games with a .896 SV% and a 3.25 GAA. Backing him up is Kyle McClellan, who was recently called up from the Maple Leafs' ECHL affiliate in the Cincinnati Cyclones.

On the back-end, Villeneuve has been the leading star with 12 points in 20 contests. The next closest is Henry Thrun with 9 points, however he was recently called up by the Maple Leafs, as they deal with injuries of their own, leaving the Marlies severely shorthanded.

It's been tough sledding for the Marlies this season as they currently hold a 11-12-1-1 record in 25 contests. They're tied for 4th in the North Division with the Belleville Senators, but are 5 points behind Syracuse, 6 points back of Rochester, and 11 back of Laval for top spot.

The remaining healthy members are going to be needed over the next little while as they traverse injuries and suspensions in an attempt to right the ship and settle for a playoff spot.