By Sean Evans (The Cascade) – Email
Date Posted: October 20, 2011
Print Edition: October 19, 2011
The Heat are looking like a different team early on in the season, having found their scoring touch last weekend. Having won their first two games, the Heat headed into the weekend looking to continue their winning ways against the Rockford IceHogs on home ice.
On Friday night, the Heat played their home-opener in-front of a crowd of 5,450 fans. It was difficult to tell what the fans were most excited about, as the Heat had a promotion which included free hats and $2 beer. That said, the on-ice effort of the Heat did give the fans something to cheer about, eventually.
Most notably, the Heat were able to produce goals five-on-five. Ben Walter, son of team president and CEO Ryan Walter, opened up the scoring for the Heat in the first period with a wrist-shot from the face-off circle, to make it 2-1. The IceHogs responded with a power play goal, making it 3-1 with a minute remaining in the first period. Fifteen seconds later Paul Byron accepted a pass from T.J. Brodie and buried it, scoring his second goal of this young season. The ability to score multiple goals has historically been lacking from the Heat, but early on in the season, things are looking different.
In the first period, Heat goaltender Leland Irving allowed three goals on five shots. “It was kind of a shootout early on, but we settled in eventually,” said head coach Troy Ward following the game. “I felt unfortunate for Leland on that first goal… but the next two goals, I personally thought Leland should’ve had,” Ward continued. Irving did, however, find his game in the second period, standing tall for a couple key saves during the penalty kill, keeping the Heat within reach.
Following a scoreless second period, the Heat came out of the dressing room for the third period looking like a different team. Jon Rheault scored a dandy of a goal just a minute in, splitting the defence and putting it top shelf. Forty-four seconds later, Greg Nemisz potted his second goal of the season, accepting a no-look, behind-the-back pass from Dustin Sylvester and also shooting top shelf. Just like that, the Heat had the lead and the building was electric, despite most fans still making their way back from the $2 beers.
Speed was key on Friday night, as Greg Nemisz noted following the game; “Our transition game was pretty good, I thought we made some nice plays off the rush… Our ability to move our feet… the speed and energy we play at, it was nice to get rewarded.”
“Tonight definitely wasn’t the way we drew it up,” but, Nemisz continued, “we’re developing some chemistry now, and it’s starting to feel really good on the ice.”
That chemistry carried over to their Sunday afternoon game against the IceHogs, but it was not enough to take their fourth straight victory. Despite out-shooting their opponents 33-13, the Heat fell 3-2 on Sunday. With 4:12 seconds remaining in a 2-2 draw, IceHogs Brandon Segal scored the game winner.
Next up for the Heat are the Milwaukee Admirals, who boast a 3-0 record, this Friday and Saturday night.
