How Did We Get Here?

The Toronto Marlies are set to square off against the Bakersfield Condors in the Calder Cup finals. Let's take a closer look at the teams and their road to get to this point. 

Quarter-Finals
Bakersfield (4) vs. San Diego Gulls (2)
Toronto (4) vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (2)

Semi-Finals
Bakersfield (4) vs. Texas Stars (2)
Toronto (4) vs. Cleveland Monsters (2)

Conference Finals
Bakersfield (4) vs. San Jose Barracuda (0)
Toronto (4) vs. Utica Comets (2)

Leading scorers

Bakersfield
Jean-Sebastien Dea (11-7-18 in 16GP)
Ryan Carpenter (5-10-15 in 16GP)
Matt Martin (4-10-14 in 16GP)

Jean-Sebastien Dea has been an absolute beast for the Condors during the playoffs. After posting modest totals of 20-25-45, he's presently tied for the playoff lead in goals and scoring at .6875 clip. Combine that with a 20.8% shooting percentage and 6 GWG, the guy is DANGEROUS. Win or lose, he makes a good case to go home with MVP honours after this perfomance. 

Toronto
Ethen Frank (7-12-19 in 18GP)
David Gust (8-10-18 in 18GP)
Jonny Brodzinski (7-11-18 in 18GP)

The Marlies don't possess anyone on their roster who has been quite as lethal as Dea's been in the post-season. They spread out their attack and are a points by committee kind of team. Frank would be the closest, stepping up his offense and averaging just over a point per game after a regular season statline of 19-29-48. He leads the team with 4 GWG with 2 of those being series clinchers (Lehigh, Utica). 

Goaltenders

Bakersfield
Anton Khudobin (12-3-1 in 16GP, 2.02 GAA, .941 SP%, 1 SO)
With the exception of a Game 1 loss against the Texas Stars in the second round where Max Lagace stepped in as relief for 35:39, Khudobin has been in the crease for the Condors the whole way. He hasn't caught anyone by surprise as he had a brilliant regular season in Bakersfield as well with 11 SO (2nd in league) and a goals against under 2 (1.84). 

Toronto
Dan Vladar (12-4-2 in 18GP, 1.72 GAA, .952 SP%)
Not much separates the two netminders in the series statistically. While his numbers are technically better, it would be hard to give an edge to one or the other.
Vladar has been a rock for the Marlies during the playoffs and plays with a confidence that spreads outwards to his teammates. 

Storyline to watch
Near the two-thirds mark of the regular season, the Maple Leafs and Oilers made a trade. While at the time it likely didn't garner much interest around the league, it's interesting to look at the trade a bit more now. Toronto sent Benjamin Tardif, Kristian Rubins and a 6th round pick this year to Edmonton for Dakota Mermis and David Gust. 
At the time, the Marlies were in the midst of a rash of injuries and LedTasso was concerned about the durability and depth of his team. Gust and Mermis provided both and then some. At the time of the trade, Gust was one of the better players in the league and continued that play with the Marlies, notching 21 points in his 25 regular season games with the team. Mermis took a little longer acclimating to the team's systems but has been a solid contributor in the post-season. 
For the Condors, Tardif and Rubins haven't had quite the same level of impact, but are contributing in their own rights. Rubins has slotted into 15 games during the playoffs, albeit in a 3rd pairing role and averaging just a tick over 10 minutes per game. Tardif, meanwhile, has been a sharpshooter with a 28.6 shooting percentage. Unfortunately, he's only taken 14 shots but that's still good for 4 goals. You'll take scoring any way you can get in the playoffs. 
One way or another, there's bound to be two disappointed players when the Cup is finally awarded. 

Season Series
Game 688: Toronto Marlies (5) vs Bakersfield Condors (1)
Game 1118: Bakersfield Condors (3) vs. Toronto Marlies (2) [SHOOTOUT]