By Mike Cadarette (Contributor) – Email
The Abbotsford Heat maintained their position atop of the AHL standings after a short two game road trip. They return to the AESC with three of a possible four points against the Toronto Marlies in a 3-2 win and a 3-2 shootout loss against the Rochester Americans.
On Sunday afternoon, the Heat took on the divisional rival Toronto Marlies. The Heat looked to rebound after back-to-back losses against the San Antonio Rampage at home and were able to come up big in the dying minutes of the game to seal the win.
After a scoreless first period, Max Reinhart potted his second goal of the season on a beautiful snipe that beat Ben Scrivens over his shoulder. Ben Walter, returning from a two-week injury hiatus, assisted on Reinhart’s goal and was named third star of the game.
At 9:16 of the second period, Ben Street scored to put the Heat up 2-0. Street had a wonderful month of November collecting 12 points in 12 games over the course the month.
The Marlies would respond in the third period, however, after Greg McKegg cut his team’s deficit to one goal 4:16 into the period.
At 13:00 of the third period, the Marlies tied up the game 2-2 on rookie Brad Ross’ first goal and first point of the season.
With just 2:35 left in the game, Roman Horak scored on a Hulk-like individual effort laying out a Marlies defender with a huge body check, collecting the puck and wiring it to the back of the net to seal the win for his team 3-2. Horak continues to put up goals and points as he has scored five points in his last six games.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Heat faced off against the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate Rochester Americans in another divisional matchup.
After another scoreless first period, Americans’ forward Frederick Roy put his team up 1-0 in the second period beating Barry Brust on a shot that caught the Heat goaltender off guard.
Dustin Sylvester scored his sixth goal of the year on the powerplay on a dandy of a snipe picking the far side corner on goalie David Leggio to tie the game at 1-1.
Eight minutes later, Sabres’ top prospect Luke Adam put his team up by a goal heading into the third period.
After a flurry of back and forth chances between the two teams, speedy Heat forward Paul Byron would play give-and-go with linemate Dustin Sylvester scoring on the 2-on-1 chance to tie the game 2-2 mid-way through the third period. Dustin Sylvester took home first star honours in the game after he collected a goal and an assist.
In overtime, Americans’ defenseman T.J. Brennan blasted a shot from the point, which appeared to beat Brust and win the game for Rochester. However, upon further review from the officials, the goal was ruled a no goal to the Rochester supporter’s dismay after it hit the cross bar and did not cross the line.
After the overtime period solved nothing, the game headed to the shootout. Shooters from either team could not score as the two goalies stood their ground making save after save. Finally in the sixth round, T.J. Brennan, who thought he was the hero for his team in overtime, got a second chance at winning the game in the shootout and succeeded clinching the win 3-2.
The Abbotsford Heat will return to action at the AESC on Friday evening when they take on the Dallas Stars’ affiliate Texas Stars in a back-to-back set. Friday features the Heat’s annual Teddy Bear Toss, which has become tradition across the world of hockey. Fans will be invited to throw their teddy bears on the ice after the Heat score their first goal of the game.
