Ams Drop The Heat 6-1

April 22, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - The Rochester Americans scored four power play goals on their way to a 6-1 Calder Cup North Division semi-final playoff victory over the Abbotsford Heat at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre Wednesday.

The Americans now hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Heat outplayed and had out-shot the Americans 14-0 early in the first period. However, Jamie Johnson's power play marker at 8:49 was the first shot on the Heat goal in the game, and it gave the Ams a 1-0 lead after one, despite being outshot 23-4.

"The first period again was an excellent period of hockey. I thought we dominated the play," said Heat head coach Jim Playfair. "But I thought our penalty kill and goaltending weren't very good and we were supposed to take care of business and we didn't"

Playfair said his team needed to play better on specialty teams and the goaltender has to be the best penalty killer on the ice.

"Their goaltender outplayed our goaltender. It's simple," said Playfair.

Abbotsford's hard work finally paid off at 4:14 of the second period when Heat defender Josh Meyers joined the rush and was fed a perfect pass by Mikael Backlund. Meyers picked up the puck in the high slot and fired a shot between the pads of Tyler Plante in the Rochester goal to tie the score 1-1.

The Americans took over from there, however, scoring five unanswered goals.

"We're just moving the puck really well. We've got some guys out there who are really skilled and when we get some time and space we can be dangerous," said American forward Jordan Henry, who led his team with two goals. "Things have been working well and sometimes it goes and sometimes it doesn't"

Both teams were assessed six minor penalties in the game.

Henry restored the American lead when he beat Shantz on the power play with a rising wrist shot at 7:03 of the second. Henry scored his second goal of the game, and fourth of the series, when he beat Shantz at 8:21 of the second to give the Americans a 3-1 lead.

Rochester scored its fourth goal of the game, and third of the power play, at 18:22 of the second when Jason Garrison scored at 18:22 of the second. Michal Repik gave the Americans a 5-1 lead 28 seconds later.

The Heat led 35-16 on the shot clock after 40 minutes but trailed 5-1 on the scoreboard.

The Americans picked up in the third where they left off where they left of in the second. Chris Taylor scored Rochester's fourth power play goal of the game at 4:43 of the third.

The two teams face off for Game 5 of the Calder Cup North Division semi-finals Friday at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.

1. PLANTE - ROCH 2. HENRY - ROCH 3. GARRISON - ROCH



American Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2010


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