Submitted. The Abbotsford Heat won 3-2 against the Hamilton Bulldogs in a shootout on Saturday night at Copps Coliseum. The Heat are now 7-4-0-1 and are in first place in the West Division.
The Heat clawed their way back from yet another two goal deficit for the second time in three games this week. Hamilton got out to a 2-0 lead after the first period, but that was all they would score as Joni Ortio shut the door the rest of the game and the Heat got two goals from Blair Jones and eventually won in a shootout.
In the first period, the Bulldogs opened the scoring at 1:46 on a goal from Justin Courtnall. Bulldogs captain Martin St.Pierre made it a 2-0 game as he scored a power play goal at 4:21. The Bulldogs led 2-0 after 20 minutes and outshot the Heat 14-7.
The Heat opened the scoring early in the second period on Blair Jones second goal of the season at 1:04 unassisted. Jones then tied the game at 18:57 on the power play assisted by MacKenzie and Reinhart. The Heat fired 18 shots on Hamilton goaltender Robert Mayer.
The third period featured many saves, but no goals and the game went into overtime. Both teams failed to register a shot in the extra period, so a shootout was necessary. Markus Granlund, Corban Knight, and Blair Jones scored three straight goals, while Ortio stopped all three Hamilton shooters and the Heat earned their third victory in a row.
In the power play department, the Heat finished one out of five while killing off three of four penalties.
Joni Ortio was the winning goaltender as he turned away 35 of 37 shots, while Robert Mayer was charged the loss stopping 34 of 36 shots.
The Heat’s next home game will be against the San Antonio Rampage (AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers) on November 5th and 6th and the Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) on November 9th and 10th. Saturday November 9th will feature an appearance by NHL Hall of Famer Mike Bossy, who will be available for autographs before the game on the AESC concourse at 5:30 PM. For tickets please call 1-877-452 HEAT (4328) or visit us online at www.abbotsfordheat.com.
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