Submitted. The Abbotsford Heat won 4-3 against the Utica Comets on Friday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
Like Wednesday night, the Heat and Comets played a very close game and saved the most entertaining period for last. In the late stages of regulation with play tied at 3-3, Blair Jones was the hero as he scored his first goal of the season on a breakaway.
Photo by Lindsay A. Mogle/Utica Comets
In the first period, Max Reinhart opened the scoring at the 13:57 mark assisted by Lamb and Street. The Comets tied the game on a goal from Zach Hamill at 15:21 and remained 1-1 after 20 minutes. The Heat outshot the Comets 10-7.
The Comets gained their first lead of the game in the second period on a power play goal from Henrik Tommernes at 14:24. At 18:01 of the period, the Heat got a power play goal on a two man advantage from Markus Granlund assisted by Wotherspoon and Knight.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the third period, Max Reinhart scored his second goal of the game at 6:32 assisted by Knight and Ramage. Just under two minutes later, Ben Ferriero scored his third goal of the season to tie the game at 3-3. At 15:25, Blair Jones scored the game winning goal to seal the victory for the Heat.
In the power play department, the Heat were one out of four while killing off two of three penalties.
Joni Ortio was the winning goaltender as he turned away 27 of 30 shots, while Joe Cannata was charged the loss stopping 30 of 34 shots.
The Heat will finish the road trip Saturday night against the Hamilton Bulldogs at 4:00 PM PST. 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.