From The Heat.The Abbotsford Heat beat the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks), 3-1 on Friday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC). The Heat remain in second place in the West Division with a 34-21-5-2 record and 75 points.
Photo by Clint Trahan/Abbotsford Heat
The Heat bumped an 8 game losing streak and had their first win on home ice in eight games. Olivier Roy and Joacim Eriksson were outstanding in net for their respective teams, as both of them figured into the three stars selection. Roy was the first star, while Eriksson was the second.
The Heat opened up a 1-0 lead in the first period with a power play goal by Josh Jooris at 12:25, with Max Reinhart and Kane Lafranchise getting the assists.
In the dying seconds of the second period, the Heat increased their lead to 2-0, with Brendan Connolly scoring his first career AHL goal at 19:48, assisted by Corey Locke and Derek Smith.
The Comets got to within one goal courtesy of Alexandre Grenier at the 8:33 mark of the third period, but that was as close as they would come. Derek Smith added an empty net goal at 19:32 with the assists going to the goaltender Olivier Roy.
The Heat went 1 out of 8 on the power play and killed off 7 of the 8 Comets man advantages.
Olivier Roy stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced and picked up the win, while Joacim Eriksson was charged the loss turning aside 33 of 35 shots.
The Heat and Comets will play one last game in Abbotsford this season, on Saturday March 15th at 7:00 PM. For tickets, please call 1-877-452-HEAT (4328) or visit us online at www.abbotsfordheat.com.