Submitted. The Abbotsford Heat defeated the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche) 1-0 in a shootout Sunday evening at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC). For the second night in a row, the Heat beat their North Division rivals in a shootout.
Barry Brust stopped all 38 shots he faced and added four more stops in the shootout to earn his fifth shutout of the season. The Heat now hold a four point lead in the North Division and finish their four game home stand having earned six of a possible eight points.
With the game scoreless through regulation time and five minutes of overtime, the Heat found themselves in a shootout for the second straight night. After the first three Heat shooters missed, Paul Byron, Tyler Ruegsegger and Carter Bancks all beat Kent Patterson to hand the Lake Erie rookie net-minder a shootout loss despite a shutout through 65 minutes in his first AHL start.
Barry Brust made his 21st appearance of the season and made 35 saves in regulation, three in overtime and four on six shootout attempts to earn his eleventh win of the season. The Heat were outshot 38-23 through 65 minutes of play. Brust has posted three shutouts this season against the Monsters. The Heat finished their eight game season series with 13 of a possible 16 points against Lake Erie.
The Heat power play finished without a goal on four opportunities and the penalty kill erased all three Monsters man-advantages. Abbotsford finished their four-game home stand allowing just one goal on 24 opposition power plays.
Tomorrow the Heat will depart on a 12-day Midwest road trip playing two games in Milwaukee, as well as single contests in Peoria, Rockford and Chicago. Abbotsford returns home to face the Charlotte Checkers on February 22nd and 23rd to close out a spell of 14 games over 24 days – their busiest stretch of the season.
February 22nd is Country Night at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre. The event will feature hotdogs for a dollar and beer for two dollars in the fourth Loonie, Toonie, Dog ‘N Brew Night of the season. For tickets and more information on the Heat, please call 1-877-452-HEAT(4328) or visit us online at www.AbbotsfordHeat.com.
Photo Credit: Clint Trahan