Heat Fall to Bulldogs 4-0

March 28, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - David Desharnais scored power play goals in both the first and second periods and added two assists to lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 4-0 American Hockey League victory over the Abbotsford Heat at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre Saturday.

It was the second consecutive game that the Bulldogs defeated the Heat on home ice. The Bulldogs won 2-1 on Friday night.

"It was a very important game," said Desharnais. "We might face those guys in the playoffs. We wanted to that if they face us it isn't going to be easy."

Hamilton has clinched first place in the North Division with 107 points, while the Heat sit in third in the division with 79 points.

Curtis Sanford and Cedrick Desjardins shared the Bulldog shutout. Desjardins replaced Sanford in the first period when Sanford had to leave due to injury.

P.K. Subban opened scoring in the first period, also on the power play. Subban slipped down from his point position to the side of the goal with the man advantage and fired a shot past David Shanty in the Heat goal.

All four Bulldog goals in the first two periods came from the side of the Heat net. Desharnais scored his first power play goal at 16:43 of the first period. He tallied his second power play marker at 2:46 of the second.

The Bulldog power play came as a result of a charging major assessed to Heat forward J.D. Watt. Watt was also handed a game misconduct on the play for his collision with Desjardins.

The call incensed the normally mild mannered Heat head coach Jim Playfair. Playfair made his displeasure with call by the referee known by breaking a couple hockey sticks on the boards and removing his suit jacket. The team was assessed a two-minute bench minor for the outburst.

Playfair said the referee made the wrong call on the play.

"By no means did (Watt) try and knock the goaltender over and I disagreed with the call," said Playfair after the game.

Playfair said it was frustrating to give up three goals on the power play and not tally when his team had four power play opportunities.

"I don't think our specialty teams played like they were supposed to play," said Playfair.

Brock Trotter scored the fourth Hamilton goal at 11:39 of the second period.

The Bulldogs outshoot the Heat 25-21 in the game.

The Heat will play North Division rival Manitoba Moose Monday and Tuesday at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Game time is 7:30 p.m. for both games.



American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2010


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