By Mike Cadarette (Contributor) – Email
It was a sterling game for the Wolves, both on the scoreboard and for an individual as Chicago forward Brett Sterling led his team to a 3-1 triumph over the Heat and collected a natural hat trick in the process.
With NHL training camps looming, the Heat came out of the gate like they were trying to prove their worth to their NHL bosses. They brought physical play, endless work ethic and crisp playmaking at the start of the first period. Their efforts got them on the score sheet first when Krys Kolanos fed the puck to Paul Byron on the opposite face off dot who, in return, passed it to Ben Walter in front of the net for the easy tap-in on the powerplay.
That was the easiest thing they would muster on Friday evening, however, because six minutes later Brett Sterling took the collective wind out of the Heat’s sails potting in his first of the night on the powerplay and leveling the scoring at one a piece.
Two minutes later, Sterling would pick up his second of the night beating Leland Irving on a weak shot that Irving must have wished he could have back. Sterling’s onslaught of offense continued. With 1:27 seconds remaining in the first period, he would cap off his natural hat trick, this time from a low percentage angle behind the net. The puck bounced off of Irving’s leg and into the cage putting the Wolves up 3-1 much to the delight of the sold-out AESC comprising of roughly two-thirds Wolves supporters.
That would be the end of Irving’s night as head coach Troy Ward opted to insert Danny Taylor into net. Irving had not made an appearance in net since December 5 versus the San Antonio Rampage. Coincidentally, Irving was pulled in that game as well. It has been a tough season for Irving, who is often considered the Flames best goaltending prospect, but with a 3.72 goals against average and a 87.1 save percentage, he’s not helping his chances of advancing his career to the NHL.
“He’s won ninety plus games at this league and he’s had plenty of time to prepare to play,” explained Ward after the game. “He’s got to play better. That’s just the life of a professional. You’re paid to play well and when you play well you get rewarded and he didn’t play that well.”
No doubt NHL training camps were on the player’s minds entering Friday night’s game, which, according to Ben Walter, may have played a factor in the loss.
“It’s something that none of us have ever experienced before…having a training camp start right in the middle of our season and I think it was probably in the back of a lot of guys’ minds.”
No scoring would take place in the remaining two periods, but there were a number of prime scoring chances for the Abbotsford Heat. However, Chicago goalie Matt Climie would shut the door on every attempt stopping 26 of the Heat’s 27 shots on goal. Taylor was also solid in his relief effort stopping all 20 shots he faced and giving his team a chance to win the game.
