Flames Continue Playoff Chase

March 24, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Moline, IL- The Flames went 3-1-0-0 last week to continue their hunt for a position in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs. The team earned a pair of road wins in Houston before securing their third shutout of the year in a 2-0 win in Rockford on Friday. On Saturday, the team suffered a 2-1 loss on home ice to the Lake Erie Monsters.

This week, the team journeys to Des Moines for a Friday night showdown with the Iowa Stars. On Saturday, the Flames face a crucial home match-up with Milwaukee, the team that currently holds down the final spot in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Upcoming Flames Events

Flames Forum at The Blackbear Lounge at The Lodge

Monday, March 24th at 6:00 p.m.

Flames Forum airs live from The Blackbear Lounge at The Lodge beginning at 6:00 p.m. tonight. Scott Allen, Cam Cunning, Matt Pelech and Brett Sutter will be tonight's guest. The show can be heard throughout the Quad Cities on 93.9 FM WYEC.

Quad City Flames Booster Club Chili Supper

Tuesday, March 25th from 5:30 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall (2814 State Street in Bettendorf, IA) Flames players will be on hand from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. to meet and greet fans during the Booster Club Chili Supper on Tuesday, March 25th. The dinner will be held at the Veteran of Foreign Wall Hall at 2814 State Street in Bettendorf. Tickets for adults are $5.00 at the door. Children tickets for fans age 10 and under are available for $3.00.00

"Between the Pipes" on Mediacom Connections Channel 22

Thursday, March 27th at 5:00 p.m.

The Flames weekly television program, "Between the Pipes", airs on Thursday night at 5:00 p.m. on Mediacom Connections Channel 22.

Player Appearance at Coal Valley Library (900 1st Street in Coal Valley, IL)

Thursday, March 27th from 6:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m.

On Thursday, Adam Pardy and Tim Ramholt will sign autographs and meet fans at the Coal Valley Library.

Road Game Viewing Party at Bleacher Bums in Davenport and Parkside Grill and Lounge in Moline

Friday, March 28th vs. Iowa at 7:07 p.m.

The Flames invite fans to follow the team on the road via b2 Viewing Parties at Bleacher Bums in Davenport or Parkside Grill and Lounge in Moline. Drink specials will be offered at both locations. Fans in attendance at Bleacher Bums can purchase $5 domestic pitchers or buckets of beer for $12. Bleacher Bums is located at 3811 N. Harrison Street in Davenport, across the street from Lujack's. Parkside Grill and Lounge is located at 2307 5th Avenue in Moline.

Soup-er Saturday Presented by Hy-Vee

Saturday, March 29th vs. Milwaukee at 7:05 p.m.

The Flames have teamed with Hy-Vee for a food drive to benefit the River Bend Food Bank. Fans that donated three non-perishable Hy-Vee food items will receive lower bowl tickets for Saturday's game for just $10. To participate, bring your donation to the Flames office or drop them off in the lobby of the i wireless Center prior to Saturday's game.

Individual tickets for all Flames home games are available now at the i wireless Center box office, via phone at (563) 326-1111 or online at ticketmaster.com. For group tickets of ten or more call the Flames ticket office at (309) 764-7825.

Upcoming Games

Friday, March 28th vs. the Iowa Stars 7:07 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA

The Flames return to Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night for a showdown with the Stars. The Flames earned a 5-2 win over Iowa in the teams' most recent meeting on March 15th in Des Moines. David Van der Gulik scored twice in the win and has five goals in eight games vs. the Stars this season.

Saturday, March 29th vs. the Milwaukee Admirals 7:05 p.m. at i wireless Center in Moline, IL

The Flames face the Admirals for the final time this season on Saturday night in the Quad Cities. Entering play this week, the Flames are six points behind Milwaukee for the final playoff berth in the AHL's Western Conference.

Flames On WYEC 93.9 FM

The Flames game broadcasts can be heard on FM radio as 93.9 FM WYEC will carry all 80 games, all playoff appearances and the Flames weekly radio show. This week's games will be preceded by the Hayman's Ace Hardware Pre-Game Show beginning 25 minutes prior to face-off. After the game, stay tuned for the Kinetic Fitness Post-Game Show. The Flames Forum returns to the air tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Last Week's Games

Monday, March 17th - Quad City 4 at Houston 2

The Flames survived a wild third period behind the goaltending of Curtis McElhinney to earn a 4-2 win over Houston on Monday night at The Toyota Center. Cam Cunning recorded his first multiple goal game with the Flames as he scored twice. Matt Pelech and Derek Couture added solo markers as Quad City closed to within four points of Houston for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The Flames controlled play in the first while outshooting Houston 12-3. Quad City killed three Houston power plays in the first 10:35 of the period and had the distinct edge during even strength play. The Flames scored twice in the second to move in front. Cam Cunning scored on a shot from the right wing circle at 1:26 of the period to open the scoring. Matt Pelech and Grant Stevenson earned assists on the goal. Pelech added a goal of his own ten minutes later to open up a two-goal edge. Brandon Prust dug the puck out from behind the Houston net and feed Pelech in front for his third goal of the year. The Aeros put on a late charge in the second period, but Flames netminder Curtis McElhinney came up big by stopping all nine shots he faced in the middle frame. McElhinney would be tested again in the third as the Aeros outshot Quad City 19-3. The Flames netminder stood tall by setting a franchise record for third period saves with 17. The Flames offense generated just three shots, but scored twice to hold on for the win. The craziness started when Houston Coach Kevin Constantine pulled his goaltender with over half of the third period remaining. The Aeros failed to convert on the sixth attacker chance before Barry Brust returned to the sheet by changing on the fly. Brust was in net when Derek Couture scored on a wraparound with 9:30 gone in the closing frame. The Aeros tried their luck again with the sixth attacker less than three minutes later. This time Houston scored as Marco Rosa converted on a feed by Joel Ward from behind the Flames net. The Aeros gave the goal back less than 30 seconds later when Cam Cunning scored his second goal of the game into an empty net. Houston's Peter Olvecky closed the scoring in the crazy third period when he recorded the only power-play tally of the night with 4:08 left in regulation. The Aeros pulled their goaltender for a fourth time late in the third, but Quad City was able to withstand the charge to earn a 4-2 victory.

Wednesday, March 19th - Quad City 3 at Houston 2

The Flames finished a two-game sweep over Houston with a 3-2 win on Wednesday night. Grant Stevenson netted the game-winning tally, his 28th of the year. Carsen Germyn and Adam Pardy also added goals. The Flames carried play throughout the first period and also recorded the only goal of the opening 20 minutes. Carsen Germyn scooped up the puck following a shot by Tim Ramholt during a Quad City power play. He deposited the biscuit past Houston netminder Barry Brust for his 15th goal of the year. The Flames took a 2-0 lead following a gaggle of penalties in the middle stages of the second period. Adam Pardy scored an unassisted goal during a four-on-four stretch of play. The big defenseman took the puck off the wall and fought through several Aeros before beating Brust for his fifth goal of the year. Grant Stevenson scored three and a half minutes later to extend the lead to 3-0. Stevenson took a cross-crease feed from David Van der Gulik and scored into a yawning Houston net during a Flames power play. The tally was Stevenson's team-leading 28th goal of the year. Just 39 seconds after Stevenson's tally Danny Irmen put the Aeros on the board following a feed from behind the Flames net by Marco Rosa. The wild middle frame ended with Quad City holding a 3-1 lead. The Flames defense clamped down in the third and allowed just five shots on goal. Unfortunately for Flames fans, one of those shots found the back of the net. Ryan Hamilton netted his 12th goal of the year just 6:20 into the period to cut the Flames lead to one. It was as close as the Aeros would get as Quad City held on for their 32nd win of the year.

Friday, March 21st - Quad City 2 at Rockford 0

The Flames finished a perfect road trip with 2-0 win in Rockford on Friday. Curtis McElhinney earned his third shutout of the year while Grant Stevenson and Carsen Germyn supplied the Flames offense. With the win, the Flames equal a season high with their fourth consecutive win. The Flames netted the game's only goals in the opening period. Grant Stevenson scored on a shot from the Rockford goal line at 6:29 of the first. The tally was Stevenson's team-leading 29th goal of the year. Carsen Germyn followed up with his 16th goal of the year on a shot from the right wing wall during a Flames power play. The Flames protected their 2-0 lead for the remainder of the contest behind the netminding of Curtis McElhinney. The Flames goaltender stopped all 22 shots he saw including ten in the third period.

Saturday, March 22nd - Lake Erie 2 at Quad City 1

The Lake Erie Monsters scored twice in the third to secure a 2-1 win and snap Quad City's four game winning streak. Derek Couture scored for the Flames in the first before Wyatt Smith and Chris Stewart netted goals for the Monsters in the third. Couture scored 8:09 into the opening frame off the rebound from a Gerry Burke point shot. Brandon Prust earned a second helper on the goal. The Flames went on to dominate the first period while outshooting Lake Erie 14-5 but could not beat Monsters netminder Mike Wall a second time. After a scoreless second period, Lake Erie made a strong closing push to earn the win. Wyatt Smith scored at 4:55 of the closing frame on a rebound following a shot by Chris Stewart. Stewart added a goal of his own exactly seven minutes later to give the Monsters the win.



American Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2008


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