Heat Top Wolves 3-2

Published on February 6, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - The Abbotsford HEAT snapped a six-game winless streak in dramatic fashion Friday night with a 3-2 shoot-out victory over the Chicago Wolves in American Hockey League action at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

Nine shooters from both sides participated in the shootout before the HEAT won on a Colin Stuart backhand. HEAT goaltender David Shantz stopped Wolves' forward Spencer Machacek to record the win. Evan Barlow and Garth Murray also scored for the HEAT in the shootout.

Gord Baldwin scored both of the HEAT goals in regulation, his first and second of the season.

Riley Holzapfel opened scoring in the game when his hard, high shot from the top of the face-off circle eluded Abbotsford HEAT goaltender David Shantz midway through the first period.

The HEAT tied the game 1-1 before the end of the first when Gord Baldwin's hard point shot managed to find its way past screened Wolves' net minder Kari Lehtonen, who is on a reconditioning assignment from the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL. Baldwin was set up on the play courtesy of a nice backhand pass by HEAT forward J.D. Watt.

The HEAT came out and forced the play in the Chicago zone the first half of the second period, not allowing a Wolves' shot on net until the 12-minute mark of the frame. Baldwin gave the HEAT the lead with his second goal of the game, started by Baldwin when he picked up the puck off a goalmouth scramble in his own crease. He fed a nice outlet pass to Colin Stuart and followed the play up the ice. Stuart returned the pass to Baldwin as he broke to the Wolves' net. The big HEAT blue liner tipped the Stuart feed past Lehtonen to give the Heat a 2-1 advantage, heading to the third period.

Chicago thought they had scored their second goal of the game mid-way through the second period on a Jason Krog deflection but upon further review by on-ice officials, the goal was not allowed.

Chicago came out in the third period and took it to the HEAT, trying to score the tying goal. This time the Wolves didn't allow the HEAT a shot on goal until mid-way through the third period. Chicago tied the game 2-2 on a beautiful cross-crease feed from Matt Anderson to Anthony Stewart. The goal forced overtime and eventually the shootout.

Shantz was stellar in the HEAT goal throughout the game but really shone late in the third period as both teams tried to break the tie. Shantz faced 17 shots in the final frame and 34 in the game.

The HEAT will now face off against the Toronto Marlies this Monday and Tuesday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m. at the Abbotsford Sports and Entertainment Centre. Abbotsford is 2-1 against the Marlies this season.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2010


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