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Heat Insider - March 30, 2010

March 31, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


March 30, 2010 Next Home Games

vs.

Friday, Apr. 2 @ 7:30 p.m. & Saturday, Apr. 3 @ 6:00 p.m.

Friday Game Sponsor:

Fan Appreciation Night - April 3rd -Jersey off Our Backs & Player Awards Post Game As a thank-you to YOU the fans for an amazing inaugural season the Heat are giving away a ton of prize packages!

Old Dutch Chips post game Handout Heat Prize Packs filled with Heat merchandise Jacuzzi Suite for one night at the Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre Abbotsford Golf merchandise courtesy of WestJet $1 Slushies on the concourse for the entire night courtesy of Ovations CHUCK A PUCK presented by Cadbury - April 2 - GRAND FINALE! Come to the game and purchase your Chuck A Pucks on the main concourse with net proceeds in support of KidSport! One lucky puck thrower each night will leave with a prize pack courtesy of Cadbury! Pucks are sold for $2 each, or 3 for $5.

Pucks that land on the main target though out the season will all be entered for a chance to win a grand prize of a family fun pack that includes a Nintendo Wii coutesy of Cadbury!

HEATIN' UP THE HOG - April 3 GRAND FINALE! One of the lucky finalists will go home with a flashy new Harley Davidson courtesy of Mountain View Harley Davidson or walk away with $10,000 in cash!

Presented by:

Community Corner: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation For more information contact: ashieh@abbotsfordheat.com

Dave Sheldon Hot Sheet The Griffins are in seventh and last place in the North Division, but frantically are trying to make up ground for a late playoff push. The Griffs are 6-1-1-2 in their past ten games, but sit nine points out of the fourth and final spot in the North Division race.

The Griffins are 2-0 this year versus the Heat. In late October, the Griffins scored a come from behind 5-3 win over the Heat. Two nights later, the Griffins embarrassed Abbotsford 6-1. In the two games combined, Grand Rapids scored a staggering eight goals on the power play.

Jeremy Williams lead the Griffins in scoring. Williams, 26, is in his first year with the Griffins after four seasons with the Toronto Marlies. Williams has 26 goals and 55 points, both totals being one away from his career best totals in the AHL.

Former Canucks are sprinkled thru the roster and coaching staff of Grand Rapids. Former Canucks forward Brad May, who has played over 1000 NHL games, has joined the Griffins and has two goals in his past five games. also, former Canucks winger Curt Fraser, who starred on a line with Thomas Gradin and Stan Smyl, is behind the bench as the Griffins head coach. Fraser was best known for his pugilistic prowess as well as popping the occasional big goal. Fraser was a big part of the Canucks 1982 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

GRAND RAPIDS BRINGS VETERANS and DESPERATION to ABBOTSFORD Dave Sheldon, Abbotsford Heat When the Abbotsford Heat take to the ice for their final regular season home games this weekend versus the Grand Rapids Griffins, they will be looking to punch their ticket to the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Griffins, the affiliate of the red hot Detroit Red Wings, are hoping that some of their parent club's good fortune will rub off on them as they desperately try to climb into a late season playoff position in the North Division as well.

While the Griffins have many young players looking to develop their skills to get to the National Hockey League, Grand Rapids also has an interesting mix of veteran talent that provides stability and a dash of moxie to the equation as well.

First, the moxie...former Vancouver Canucks favorite Brad May has joined the Griffins and provides leadership that cannot be measured from a player who has logged more than 1000 games in the NHL, including a Stanley Cup Victory in Anaheim back in 2007. May has scored twice in his past five games and has also racked up 34 penalty minutes as he tries to help his team get into the playoffs and also tries to get the attention of his parent club Detroit in case they need some extra grit come playoff time.

Now, the stability...veteran forward Patrick Rissmiller has provided the Griffins a solid consistent attack all season long, scoring 20 goals and being a force on the Griffins power play. Rissmiller, with over 200 games of NHL experience, gives the young players on the Griffins a measuring stick as to what skill level is required to make it to the next level. Grand Rapids has been the pipeline for the Wings to the next level, as over 100 players have been called to play for Detroit after spending some quality time in Grand Rapids.

One other player looking to make an impact is a familiar and popular face here in Abbotsford...veteran forward Riley Armstrong. Armstrong was part of a deadline day deal that brought Andy Delmore to the Heat. Armstrong, 25, is still trying to find his way in Grand Rapids, and has notched just one goal and one assist in 10 games since the deal.

The Griffins continue to plug away and are now playing some of their best hockey of the season. Over their past ten games, the Griffs have a 6-1-1-2 record and have cut their deficit behind fourth place Manitoba to just nine points. The only problem for Grand Rapids is that they may have left the surge a little late as time is running out and there are three teams, (Toronto, Lake Erie and Manitoba) who all play each other down the stretch. Splitting points with the teams above you make the slope slippery when trying to pass them on the road to the playoffs.

Hey Hockey Fans! Are you ready for more AHL action as your team battles for a playoff spot? AHL Live is now offering the ultimate package that includes all remaining regular season games for almost 50% off ! Get exclusive online access to watch your favorite team wherever they are playing now through April 2010. Visit AHLLIVE.com

News & Notes Heat Open Practices - Public Welcome Practice will be open to the public on Friday, April 2nd from 10am to 11am. Enter through the security doors at the back of the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre (off of King Road).

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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.

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