by Justin Orlewicz (Sports Editor)
Email: cascade.sports@ufv.ca
After finishing their eight-game-home-stand strong with a winning record, the Abbotsford Heat embarked on a five game road trip that saw them face off five times in eight days against three different opponents. After winning their first two games and then falling in the shootout to the Providence Bruins in the third, the Heat squared off with the Peoria River Men in a two game mini series to cap their trip. Even after four days of rest for the Abbotsford Heat, game one with Peoria did not go as well as their past few games had gone.
They came out flying in the first period with many chances but kept off the score sheet all game as they got shutout 2-0 by the Peoria River Men. Jake Allen made 37 saves for the Peoria shutout. Leland Irving made 25 saves in the losing effort for the Heat. As usual the following night game two of the mini series went down, but a similar story would unfold. The Heat found themselves down 2-0 in the first period, after a scoreless second period the Heat showed some life with a goal from Logan MacMillan, but in the end it just wasn’t enough to claw back into the contest. Peoria added one more goal to ice the back to back victories against the Heat. The Heat ended up splitting their five game trip with a 2-2-0-1 record, getting a possible 5 of 10 points.
The Heat is now on its way home to play one of the most anticipated mini series so far this season at the AESC. The Heat will go at it with the Vancouver Canucks farm club: the Manitoba Moose. Because of all the future Canucks that will be in the Moose’s line up, it will likely be the biggest fan draw of the year for the Abbotsford Heat. When the Moose came into town last year, the Abbotsford Heat had their first sell out in franchise history. The other three games against the Moose last season were also near sellouts. The first game of the Heat versus Moose series is Friday November 26, and the second game will go the following night. Some tickets may still be available for these contests.
After their quick home stand with the Moose, the Heat will go on a 3 game eastern Canadian road trip for crucial divisional games against the Toronto Marlies and the Hamilton Bulldogs. At weeks end the Heat are 11-8-0-1 and sit in second place in the North Division. For information on the Abbotsford Heat and student deals on tickets visit the box office at the AESC or check the Heat out online at http://www.abbotsfordheat.com. For more insider information on the Abbotsford Heat and AHL you can follow me on Twitter @ JustinOrly.
