Heat Beat IceHogs to Remain First in AHL
November 20, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release
Rockford, IL - The Abbotsford Heat won 4-2 against the Rockford IceHogs (AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks) on Wednesday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The Heat remain in first place in the American Hockey League (AHL) with a 15-5-0-1 record and 31 points. The Heat are now 4-1-0-0 through five of seven games on their current road trip and have won 11 of their last 12 games.
The Heat put forth a complete 60 minute effort, led by goaltender Joey MacDonald who made 28 saves, defenceman Chad Billins and winger Michael Ferland who combined for five points.
After killing off their first penalty of the game, the Heat scored on their first power play opportunity at 14:33 from Ben Hanowski, with the assists going to Chad Billins and Blair Jones. Joey MacDonald stopped all 10 shots he faced, while Kent Simpson turned away nine of ten for Rockford.
In the second period, the Heat got an early goal from Paul Byron at 1:29, assisted by Michael Ferland. The IceHogs then cut the Heat lead to one with a goal on the power play at 13:50 from Drew LeBlanc.
In the third period, Michael Ferland scored his fourth of the season to make it a 3-1 game at 6:51, assisted by Billins and Markus Granlund. Viktor Svedberg cut the deficit to one as he scored at 11:33 for Rockford, but Brett Olson scored into the empty net with three seconds left in the game, assisted by Billins, to make it a 4-2 final for the Heat.
The Heat were one out of four on the power play and killed off two of three penalties in the game.
Joey MacDonald picked up his third win of the season stopping 28 of 30 shots, while Kent Simpson suffered the loss turning away 27 shots.
The Heat will finish their seven game road trip with a double header against the Iowa Wild (AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild) on Saturday & Sunday. Following this road trip, the Heat will return home to play the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks) on Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th. Friday, November 29th will feature the third Legends of Hockey night of the season, with Canucks legend Kirk McLean appearing for autographs prior to the game on the AESC concourse at 6:00pm.
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American Hockey League Stories from November 20, 2013
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- Heat Beat IceHogs to Remain First in AHL - Abbotsford Heat
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- Amerks Come up Short in 3-1 Loss to Baby Pens - Rochester Americans
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- Comets Lose a Champion - Utica Comets
- Dallas Stars Recall Kevin Connauton from Conditioning Assignment - Texas Stars
- Morin Recalled by the Blackhawks - Rockford IceHogs
- Wolves Raising Money, Collecting Supplies for Tornado Victims - Chicago Wolves
- Aubry and Jensen Reassigned to Toledo - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Lightning Reassign Korobov to Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
- Tickets for February 8 Amerks Game at First Niagara Center on Sale Now - Rochester Americans
- Toronto Marlies Weekly - Toronto Marlies
- Coyotes Recall Kennedy from Portland - Portland Pirates
- Minnesota Recalls Zucker from Iowa - Iowa Wild
- Rockford Battles Western Conference Leading Abbotsford - Rockford IceHogs
- Worcester Sharks Sign Dan DaSilva to PTO - Worcester Sharks
- Sabres Recall Adam, McNabb from Rochester - Rochester Americans
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