Submitted. The Abbotsford Heat host the Houston Aeros (AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild) on Friday and Saturday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC) in a battle between former division rivals.
The Heat will look to snap a seven-game winless skid this weekend and regain the top spot in the AHL North Division. Abbotsford is currently sitting in seventh in the Western Conference with 60 points in 56 games, one point behind the Lake Erie Monsters in the North Division. Houston has 63 points and holds down the fifth seed in the Conference, having just split a home-and-home series with the Oklahoma City Barons last weekend.
Games
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FRIDAY MARCH 1 – 7:00 PM PST vs. HOUSTON AEROSSATURDAY MARCH 2 – 7:00 PM PST vs. HOUSTON AEROS
Streaming: TeamRadio.ca – Friday & Saturday
Radio: Sportsnet 960 The FAN (Calgary) – Saturday
*Pre-Game Show begins 15 minutes prior puck-drop
The Heat have had some recent changes at the forward position, with Mike Testwuide, Blair Jones and Andy Bohmbach added to the Heat roster. Testwuide (TEHST-weed) arrived in Abbotsford on Tuesday night after being traded for Mitch Wahl in a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Jones will look to carry his strong play from last weekend into his second week with the Heat after his assignment from the Flames. Bohmbach remains with the Heat after a call up 10 days ago from the Trenton Titans.
Abbotsford ranks second in the AHL with 18 home wins this season. The Heat have eight home games and twelve road games left in the regular season. The visiting Aeros have 14 road wins in 29 games this season, ranking them fifth in the Western Conference in road winning percentage.
The Heat have played the Aeros just once this season – the fewest of any team on their schedule. The teams have two games remaining this weekend in Abbotsford and another set for March 14th in Houston. This season’s only prior meeting was a 3-2 overtime win for the Aeros at the Toyota Centre on November 25th. Jason Zucker scored the game-winning goal just five seconds into overtime, tying an AHL record for the fastest overtime goal in league history.
Friday night is the Heat’s annual Pink in the Rink game in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the CIBC Run for the Cure. Fans can show their support by getting ‘inked’ with a $100 package that includes two tickets to the game and a cancer ribbon tattoo by Memento Mori Studios with proceeds going to CIBC Run for the Cure.
Friday is also the next ‘Loonie, Toonie, Dog ‘N Brew’ night at the AESC with $1 hotdogs and $2 beer. Puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM PST on Friday and Saturday night. For more information on the team and to purchase tickets, visit www.AbbotsfordHeat.com or call 1 877 452-HEAT(4328).
Photo Credit: Clint Trahan