Submitted. The Abbotsford Heat fell to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings) 4-3 in a shootout on Friday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC). The Heat sits in second in the West Division with a 33-17-4-2 record and 72 points.
Photo by Clint Trahan/Abbotsford Heat: Olivier Roy #37 of the Abbotsford Heat Cory Emmerton #18The Abbotsford Heat take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre on February 28, 2014 in Abbotsford.
Max Reinhart scored two goals, tallying five points (3-2-4) in his last five games. Sven Baertschi earned two points on the night (1-1-2).
The Heat took the early lead with a power play goal by Sven Baertschi at 6:11 in the first period. Baertschi’s goal was assisted by Ben Street and Corey Locke. The Griffins tied up the game at 16:44, with a goal from Teemu Pulkkinen. The first period ended with the Griffins outshooting the Heat 12-11.
Teemu Pulkkinen scored his second goal of the night at 3:49 in the second period. Max Reinhart responded with a goal at 16:09, assisted by Brett Olson and Ben Hanowski. The Griffins quickly rallied with a goal at 19:40, by Calle Jarnkrok, giving Grand Rapids the 3-2 lead.
Max Reinhart scored the lone goal of the third period at 16:07, assisted by Sven Baertschi and Kane Lafranchise pushing the game into overtime. Both teams’ remained scoreless in the overtime.
Dean Arsene #29 of the Abbotsford Heat Jordin Tootoo #22The Abbotsford Heat take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre on February 28, 2014 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Clint Trahan/Abbotsford Heat) 2014 Clint Trahan
Sven Baertschi put one past Peter Mrazek in the fourth round, while the next two shooters were unsuccessful. In the fifth round, Brennan Evans scored to keep the shootout alive.The goalies stopped the next five shooters,until Griffins defenseman, Gleason Fournier found the back of the net in the eighth round.
Abbotsford was one for three on the power play and killed off two of the three man advantages for the Griffins.
Olivier Roy made 34 of 37 saves while Petr Mrazek stopped 31 out of 34 shots.