Hamilton becomes Marlies all-time scoring leader in Toronto's win over Rampage

TORONTO - Ryan Hamilton thought of his family and teammates as he entered the Toronto Marlies' record books.

Hamilton became the Marlies' all-time goal-scoring leader in a 4-1 victory over the visiting San Antonio Rampage in American Hockey League action on Friday.

The Marlies captain scored his 75th career goal for Toronto to pass Jeremy Williams for first place in franchise history.

"Right now I'm remembering all of my teammates who were a part of this, the guys I've played with this year and teammates from past years," said Hamilton, who has 11 goals in 25 games this season. "I'll probably give the puck to my parents.

"They've supported me all the way and they live nearby so they come to most of the games."

Carter Ashton, Mike Kostka and Paul Ranger also scored for Toronto (16-9-2) as the Marlies won for the seventh time in nine games despite registering just 15 shots.

"To be honest, I didn't think we played that great tonight," said Marlies coach Dallas Eakins. "We haven't been up to our speed, our standard, the past couple of games. But we're still beating teams, we're still in the games, and if these are our down games then it's not too bad."

Toronto's Ben Scrivens made 30 saves to earn the win.

"He's playing so much better now than he did at the start of the season, and he'd tell you that himself," Eakins said. "He's been excellent as of late, he's really upped his game."

Hamilton and Kostka also added an assist apiece for two-point nights, while Spencer Abbott and Keith Aucoin collected two assists each. Aucoin also reached a milestone, recording his 804th AHL point to tie Bill Sweeney for 10th place all-time in league scoring.

Jared Gomes had the lone goal for San Antonio as the Rampage (10-17-3) lost their sixth game in a row. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 11 saves.

Hamilton tied it 1-1 late in the first period when he shed a San Antonio defender and broke in all alone on Markstrom, beating the Rampage goalie with a slick back-and-forth deke.

"I had a feeling I'd be able to get a jump on the D-man if Abbott could get the puck up to me, and he did," said Hamilton. "I was able to get around the defenceman and then fortunate enough to make a move and put it in."

San Antonio opened the scoring after the Marlies' Kostka turned over the puck behind the net and Gomes finished off a fast-quick three-way passing play at 6:14 of the first period.

Ashton gave Toronto a 2-1 lead when he skated down the left wing and whipped a low wristshot past Markstrom's glove at 9:16 of the second period, and Kostka put the Marlies up by two when he ripped a one-timer from the slot past the Rampage goalie at 17:33 of the second.

Ranger closed out the scoring when he blasted a slapshot from the right faceoff circle past Markstrom for a power-play goal at 18:17 of the third period.

"Paul has arguably been our steadiest defenceman all season," said Eakins. "And he's got a big shot on him, you saw that on the fourth goal."

Toronto went 1 for 4 on the power play while San Antonio was 0 for 4.

Notes: There was an announced crowd of 5,489 at Ricoh Coliseum.