Submitted. The Abbotsford Heat won 3-2 in overtime against the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators) on Friday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC). The Heat are now in fourth place in the American Hockey League’s Western Conference.
Photo: Clint Trahan/Abbotsford Heat
It was the first of a four game season series between the two teams, featuring a tight defensive battle through regulation time. In total, there were 11 power plays were handed out, with only one goal scored on the man advantage between the Heat and Admirals.
The first period did not feature any scoring, with Heat goaltender Reto Berra stopping nine shots and Admirals goaltender Magnus Hellberg stopping eight. The Admirals had three straight power plays in the period, but failed to capitalize on any of them.
Milwaukee’s Patrick Cehlin opened the scoring at the 6:45 mark of the second period shorthanded. With time winding down in the period, Turner Elson scored his first AHL goal at the 19:55 mark to tie the score at 1-1, assisted by Brett Olson. The Heat had three power plays in the period but failed to score on Hellberg.
Ben Hanowski broke the deadlock with his third goal of the season at the 13:11 mark of the third period, with the assists going to Josh Jooris and Corban Knight. Taylor Beck tied the game for the Admirals at 3-3 with a goal at 15:21 of the third period, sending the game to overtime.
The Heat were awarded a power play early in the overtime period. Corban Knight scored the winning goal at the 1:58 mark, assisted by Greg Nemisz and Paul Byron.
The Heat were one for seven on the power play, and perfect on the penalty kill going four out of four.
Reto Berra stopped 24 of 26 shots on the night for the Heat, while Magnus Hellberg stopped 28 of 31 for the Admirals.
The Heat and Admirals will finish a doubleheader set on Saturday night at the AESC at 7:00 PM. To purchase tickets call 1-877-452-HEAT.
