Heat Defeat Dogs in Thriller

Published on March 18, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Abbotsford, B.C. - Aldergrove's Matt Keith scored with 45 seconds left in regulation as the Abbotsford Heat edged the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2 before 3461 enthusiastic fans at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre in AHL action on Friday night.

Former Flames prospect Dustin Boyd opened the scoring versus the Abbotsford Heat at 13:28 of the first frame to give the visitors a 1-0 lead as he shoveled a backhand past Heat starting goaltender Leland Irving. The Abbotsford Heat did not take long to respond with forward John Armstrong collecting a John Negrin rebound in front of the Bulldogs goal and lifting it over the glove of Hamilton net minder Drew MacIntyre just over a minute after Hamilton took the lead. Armstrong's goal knotted the game at 1-1 after the first twenty minutes of play.

Abbotsford Heat back up goaltender J.P. Lamoureux started the second period between the pipes as starter Leland Irving was lifted after the first after sustaining an undisclosed injury. The Bulldogs took their second lead of the game on a five minute major power play that resulted in a game misconduct for Abbotsford defenseman Matt Pelech. Bulldog's blue liner Mathieu Carle put Hamilton up by a score of 2-1 on the power play, tipping home a point shot through traffic and beating Lamoureux. A late second period odd man rush by the Heat resulted in Chris Breen's third goal of the season. Breen took a great feed from Gaelan Patterson and fired a bullet over the blocker of MacIntyre. The second period ended with both teams deadlocked in a 2-2 tie, despite the Heat firing 32 shots through the first forty minutes of play.

Veteran and local Aldergrove product Matt Keith picked up the lone and most important goal of the third period, working the puck from behind the net and in a great individual effort banging home the puck past MacIntyre to give the Abbotsford Heat a huge late third period lead. Keith's goal came at 19:15 of the third securing the victory for the home team Abbotsford Heat in an important divisional matchup.

The victory moved the Heat closer to a playoff berth in the North Division. After tonight's action the Heat sit with 75 points and are just three points back of third place Lake Erie and Toronto.

The Abbotsford Heat will meet the Bulldogs once again tomorrow night Saturday, March 19th at the Abbotsford Sports and Entertainment Centre. Catch all the action on Country 107.1 with Dave Sheldon getting the Diamond Bar Equipment pre game started at 6:30pm... Puck drops at 7:00pm.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2011


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