Heat Playoff Preview

Published on April 12, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Matchup:

The Abbotsford Heat is the Calgary Flames affiliate in their first year of operation in the Fraser Valley. This season, the Heat completed their inaugural year with a record of 39-29-5-7 for 90 points in 80 games. The Heat's high point this season was a nine game road trip in mid-February to coincide with the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Heat went on an 8-1 run on the nine game trip to vault from 5th place in the division into a second place battle with the Rochester Americans and the defending North Division Champions, the Manitoba Moose. The Heat finished the season on six game regulation unbeaten streak (5-0-0-1), claiming a Calder Cup Playoff berth with a 4-3 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on April 2, 2010, (Game 76). The Heat secured 3rd place in the division with a comeback 5-4 shootout win over the Lake Erie Monsters on April 10, 2010, (Game 79). The Calgary Flames affiliate club last qualified for the post season in 2006-07 as the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. The Knights were conference champions in the regular season, but were upset in six games by the Iowa Stars in the first round of the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Rochester Americans are the Florida Panthers affiliate in their 54th season of operation in the American Hockey League. This is the third season in which the Panthers are operating the franchise in Rochester, with this season being the first season since 2006-07 that the Panthers affiliate has made the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Americans are the second oldest team in the AHL, behind only the Hershey Bears, who have been in the AHL since 1938. Rochester has appeared in the Calder Cup Playoffs as a franchise a total of 41 of 54 seasons, and has won the Calder Cup six times, while losing on 10 other occasions. The Americans last won the Calder Cup in 1996, winning in seven games over the Portland Pirates. The Americans last appeared in the Calder Cup playoffs in the 2007 season, where they were defeated by the Hamilton Bulldogs in six games.

This season:

The Abbotsford Heat holds a 3-1 record versus the Americans this year, with a 2-0 record at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, and a 1-1 record at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. These two clubs first met in Abbotsford on December 5th. Abbotsford scored three unanswered goals in the second period and two more in the third to hand the Americans at that time the worst loss of their season, 6-2. Colin Stuart scored twice in the victory, while Jason Jaffray added three assists. The following night, a tight hard fought game remained scoreless into the third period until Brett Sutter opened the scoring with a partial breakaway at 7:27 of the third. But Rochester would dig in and get two late goals to win 2-1 as Ville Koistenen and Michal Repik would score late in the third to get the split in Abbotsford.

In Rochester on December 11, Brett Sutter and Cam Cunning would score early markers and Matt Keetley would stop 37 of 38 shots as the Heat would edge the Americans 2-1. It was the first regulation loss for the Americans in their building all season. The Heat would then return to Rochester on February 12th. Once again, Brett Sutter would add a goal, this time the game winner as the Heat would build a 3-0 lead and hang on for a 3-2 win. This time David Shantz would be the difference in goal, stopping 28 of 30 Rochester shots fired in his direction.

Home and Away:

The Rochester Americans posted a 23-14-2-2 record on home ice this season, while away from the Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks went 21-19.

The Abbotsford Heat was 18-14-4-4 at the AESC this year and 21-15-1-3 away from home. The Heat is one of only four teams in the AHL with a better road record than home record. Only Hamilton, Milwaukee, Providence and Abbotsford have won more road games than home games this season. Their three more wins road over home is the best ratio in the AHL.

Tuesday - key players, more stats and matchups.

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

The Abbotsford Heat will take on the Rochester Americans in the opening round of the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs (North Division Semi-Final). The playoff format will be 2-3-2.

GAME ONE - Thursday, April 15 in Rochester 4:05 PM (PDT)

GAME TWO - Saturday, April 17 in Rochester 4:05 (PDT)

GAME THREE - MONDAY, APRIL 19 @ The Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre - 7 PM (PDT)

GAME FOUR - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 @ The Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre - 7 PM (PDT)

*GAME FIVE - FRIDAY, APRIL 23 @ The Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre - 7 PM (PDT)

*GAME SIX - Sunday, April 25 in Rochester 2:05 (PDT)

*GAME SEVEN - Tuesday, April 27 in Rochester 4:05 (PDT)

*if necessary

TICKETS FOR ALL HEAT HOME GAMES AVAILABLE BY CALLING 1-877-452-HEAT.

TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE AESC BOX OFFICE AND AT www.abbotsfordheat.com

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American Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2010


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