Submitted. The Abbotsford Heat beat the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks) 5-2 on Sunday night in preseason action at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC).
The game was a heated affair, with seven fights and 104 penalty minutes assessed between the two teams. Brett Olson (1+2) and rookie Ben Hanowski (2+1) led the Heat with three points apiece.
The Heat dominated the first period, taking a 3-1 lead through 20 minutes. Brett Olson opened the scoring for the Heat just 1:34 into the game, assisted by Ben Hanowski. Peter Sivak scored unassisted to make it 2-0 at 11:43 of the first period. Ben Hanowski then scored his first AHL goal at 14:44, assisted by Brett Olson and Drew McKenzie, to round out the Heat scoring in the first period. Alex Biega scored the lone Utica goal of the period at 17:35 to draw the Comets within two. The period featured three fights and 52 penalty minutes.
Dean Arsene stretched the Heat lead to 4-1 at 9:28 of the second period, assisted by Brett Olson and Peter Sivak. Laurent Brossoit entered the game following Arsene’s goal, splitting the game between the two Heat goaltenders. Utica scored at 18:24 of the second period, as Kellan Tochkin scored on a breakaway pass from Darren Archibald. The Heat led 4-2 after 40 minutes.
The third period featured another four fights and an empty net goal by Ben Hanowski at 19:21. Utica goalie Mathieu Corbeil played the third period for the Comets, allowing one goal on nine shots.
Joni Ortio allowed one goal on 10 shots and Laurent Brossoit allowed one goal on seven shots for the Heat. Utica goalies Joacim Eriksson allowed four goals on 18 shots and Mathieu Corbeil stopped all nine shots he faced.
The Heat open the 2013-2014 AHL season on October 4th in Cleveland against the Lake Erie Monsters. The 2013 home opener is on October 11th against the Milwaukee Admirals at 7:00PM. To purchase tickets call 1-877-452-HEAT or visit www.AbbotsfordHeat.com