Heat Weekly

Published on January 31, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


The Chicago Wolves took two from the Heat last week and kept Abbotsford from banking any points heading into the All- Star break.

The home club staged a late rally in Tuesday's game as Ben Walter and Carter Bancks each tallied with less than ten minutes to go, but the comeback effort would fall just short as the Heat were nipped 3-2 by the Wolves. The following night the baby 'Nucks scored three times in the open- ing frame and never looked back. The Heat were unable to get one past the Wolves net- minder despite firing 29 shots on goal in the 5-0 loss.

Three members of the Heat suit- ed up for the Western Confer- ence squad in the AHL All-Star Classic this past weekend. For- ward Krys Kolanos and defend- ers Clay Wilson and Brian Con- nelly - recently acquired from the IceHogs - all took part in the festivities, helping their side earn an 8-7 shootout win over their rivals from the East.

The week ahead will see the Heat face the Rochester Americans for the first time this season, while making their final appearance at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.

The Americans find themselves in second in a tight North Division that has them just five points out of top spot held by the Marlies, but only three points from the basement of the division.

The Heat face the Americans on Thursday and Friday before cross- ing the border back into Canada to take on the Toronto Marlies in an afternoon affair on Saturday. The three-games in three-days is the first action for the club since last Wednesday's home loss to the Chicago Wolves.

The upcoming three-in-three stint will mark the fifth time this season the Heat will have turned the feat on the road. Abbotsford is 9-3-0-0 in their first four triple- headers this season.

The club will look to start the post-All-Star Game section of the season with a boost from re- cently acquired defender Brian Connelly and forward Roman Horak - who has played just one game since his assignment from Calgary last week.

Krys Kolanos, appeared in his first career AHL All-Star game, recorded an assist, a plus-2 rating and fired five shots on goal to lead the Western team. It came as no surprise that Kolanos led the way in the shots on goal department, as heading into the break the sniper was tied for second in the AHL with 171 shots on goal.

Although Clay Wilson didn't register a point and re- corded an even plus/minus rating in his third career AHL All-Star game, the Heat's blue-liner was notice- able and did have an impact in the contest having been on the ice for two goals for and two against.

Brian Connelly joined the Heat shortly before the All- Star game after being acquired by the Flames organi- zation in a trade that sent Brendan Morrison to the Chicago Blackhawks. Originally selected as a member of the Rockford IceHogs he had an impressive per- formance in Atlantic City winning the fastest skater contest in the skills competition and chipping in with an assist in the All-Star classic.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2012


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