Heat qualify for 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs
April 2, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release
ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - David Van der Gulik's breakaway goal with less than one minute remaining in regulation time broke a 3-3 deadlock and lifted the Abbotsford Heat to a 4-3 American Hockey League victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre Friday. With the win, the Heat has qualified for the 2010 Calder Cup playoffs.
Cam Cunning, Keith Seabook and Shaun Weller also scored for the Heat.
Cam Cunning got the Heat rolling 2:53 into the first period when his turn-around slap shot found the net behind Larsson. Cunning picked up a David Van der Gulik pass and turned and fired in one motion to score his 17th goal of the season.
Seabrook gave the Heat a 2-0 lead when his point shot on the power play eluded a screened Larsson at 6:39 of the first.
Veteran NHLer Brad May got the Griffins on the board at 5:37 of the third period. May picked up a rebound off the backboards and bounced it off Heat goalie David Shantz and into the goal from the side of the Heat net.
Weller restored the Heat's two-goal lead at 7:38 of the third period, when he snagged a big rebound off of Larsson and backhanded the puck into the goal.
But Griffins forward Tomas Tartar tried to spoil the Heat party as he scored two goals less than three minutes apart to tie the game 3-3 late in the third period, setting the stage for Van der Gulik's heroics.
"I just saw the upstairs and I just shot it...just lucky," said Van der Gulik. "I'm just so happy that I can help out the guys and help out the team in big games."
The same two teams play Saturday at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Game time is 6 p.m. It will be the last home game for the Heat.
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American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2010
- Heat qualify for 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs - Abbotsford Heat
- Admirals Earn Point in OT Loss to Peoria - Milwaukee Admirals
- Aeros Hold on for 4-3 Victory - Houston Aeros
- Stars stun San Antinio - Texas Stars
- Wolves fall 4-3 - Chicago Wolves
- Rampage earn point in 4-3 overtime loss - San Antonio Rampage
- Monarchs Head To 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs - Manchester Monarchs
- B-Sens keep slim playoff hopes alive - Binghamton Senators
- Wolf Pack defeat Lowell Devils - Connecticut Whale
- Monarchs Clinch In Lights Out Performance - Manchester Monarchs
- Syracuse Edges Adirondack 3-2 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Late Rally Pushes Crunch Past Phantoms - Syracuse Crunch
- Rats Fall, But Earn Playoff Berth - Albany River Rats
- Keller Scores Twice As Admirals Top River Rats 2-1 - Norfolk Admirals
- Norfolk Downs Albany 2-1 - Albany River Rats
- Pirates Rally for Late Win - Portland Pirates
- Devils Turned Back By Wolf Pack, 5-2 - Albany Devils
- Moose Beat Marlies, 3-1 - Manitoba Moose
- Sharks Fire 49 Shots In 3-1 Loss In Providence - Worcester Sharks
- Brodeur joins Rampage - San Antonio Rampage
- P-Bruins Defeat Sharks 3-1 - Providence Bruins
- Marlies Sign Forward Philippe Paradis To ATO Contract - Toronto Marlies
- Bernier Returns To Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Amerks First Round Playoff Tickets Go On Sale Monday, April 5th - Rochester Americans
- Heat Make Roster Moves - Abbotsford Heat
- Lourdes Presents The 2010 Face Off Against Cancer - Binghamton Senators
- Josh Tordjman Wins Yanick Dupre Memorial Award As AHL's Man Of The Year - San Antonio Rampage
- Albany's Casey Borer Named Winner Of AHL's Fred T. Hunt Award - Albany River Rats
- San Antonio's Josh Tordjman Named Recipient Of AHL's Yanick Dupre Award - AHL
- Albany's Casey Borer Named Winner Of AHL's Fred T. Hunt Award - AHL
- Albany Signs Thomas Dignard To ATO - Albany River Rats
- Predators Sign Flynn To Two-Year Deal - Milwaukee Admirals
- Columbus Assigns Center Trevor Frischmon - Syracuse Crunch
- D Justin Falk Returned To AHL Houston - Houston Aeros
- Three More Added To IceHogs Roster, Hogs Host Monsters Tonight - Rockford IceHogs
- Crunch Announce Details Of Interstate Batteries Faith And Family Night - Syracuse Crunch
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Monarchs Sign Two Netminders; Release Lopes - Manchester Monarchs
- Providence Brings In Two From College - Providence Bruins
- Playoff Tickets Go On Sale Today At 9:00 A.M. - Hershey Bears
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