Heat Close Regular Season with OT Win Over Marlies

April 15, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Abbotsford, BC - The Abbotsford Heat will now turn their attention to the Calder Cup Playoffs where they'll face the Milwaukee Admirals after a 5-4 overtime decision in the season finale against the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) on Sunday afternoon. Max Reinhart scored a pair in his professional debut, while Nick Tuzzolino scored once in the third before burying the winner 1:08 into the fourth period.

The Heat would score twice in the first period on milestone goals for Max Reinhart and David Eddy, who both potted the first AHL goals of their careers. Hugh Jessiman, Joe Piskula and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond would draw first period assists and the Heat led 2-1 after 20 minutes.

Reinhart would extend the Heat lead to 3-1 early in the second period with his second of the night as he converted a Hugh Jessiman pass from behind the Marlies net. The Marlies would tie the game with back-to-back power play goals in the second period to leave the game tied at 3-3 heading into the third period of play.

With a major boarding penalty assessed to the Marlies, the Heat would take their second lead of the night courtesy Nick Tuzzolino's second of the season and first of two on the night. Adam Estoclet placed a perfect pass on the tape of Tuzzolino who one-timed the go-ahead goal at 10:25, but the Marlies would tie the game just a minute and 11 seconds later, which forced overtime - tied at four goals apiece.

Tuzzolino's winner 78 seconds into overtime was set up by Greg Nemisz and Chris Breen which brought the crowd of 3,589 to their feet as the Heat's point-streak was extended to a franchise-high ninth straight game with the club's 42nd win of the regular season - also a franchise record.

The season finale saw numerous Heat regulars out of the line-up, and three professional debuts as Turner Elson, Brady Lamb, and Max Reinhart laced up with their new teammates.

Leland Irving made his first start in six games for the Heat, and made 18 saves on 22 shots to earn his 22nd win of the season; the Heat outshot the Marlies 26-22 in the win.

On a night that saw over 5,000 prizes given away including a SICK Civic courtesy the Honda Way and Abbotsford News, the Heat Ladies raised over $30,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation with their 'Cuts for the Cure' event that saw players and fans - including Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman - shave their heads.



American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central