Heat Weekly

Published on March 6, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


This past week saw the Heat fin- ish a road trip through the Amer- ican Midwest and return home to start a pivotal six game home stand at the AESC. The club went 2-1-0-1 in four games last week, collecting five of a possible eight points to jump into fourth place in a tight playoff race in the AHL's Western Conference.

The Heat started the week strong by earning two straight wins against the Rockford Ice- Hogs and Texas Stars. First, the club captured a 3-2 shootout vic- tory against Rockford in the final game of a five game road trip on February 29th and they followed that up with a 2-1 home win against Texas on March 2nd that came on the strength of a pair of first period power play goals and an excellent performance from netminder Danny Taylor.

Standing out for the Heat was defender Clay Wilson who hit the scoresheet in each of the four games, posting two goals and four assists to go with a plus-2 rating.

The Heat have four upcom- ing home games to close out a six-game stretch over ten days at the AESC. Tuesday Morning saw the Houston Aeros come to town for the first of a two game set in a wild game that ended 7-6 in a shootout in favour of the team that calls the lone star state home. The Heat suffered their first loss to the Aeros in five meetings this season but have still earned points in every game against the affiliate of the Minne- sota Wild so far. Tuesday morn- ing's game featured $10 tickets and free admission for parents bringing four students, as a local teacher's strike prompted 5,802 fans to come out and enjoy a morning of pro hockey in Ab- botsford.

Wednesday night, the two clubs close out the BC half of their eight-game season series with a 7:00 PM puck-drop. This weekend brings to a close the four-game season-series with the Peoria Rivermen, who like the Heat, are among the pack of eight hockey clubs vying for the final five playoff spots in the Western Conference. The River- men beat the Heat twice in the shootout on Abbotsford's twelve day swing through the Midwest last month.

Forward Ben Walter is quietly putting together a sea- son to remember in his first year with the Heat, as he recently took over the team scoring lead (13-30- 43) after a three point performance (1-2-3) in today's game against the Houston Aeros. His plus-8 rating is also tops on the Heat and he owns the distinction of being the the only member of the club to appear in each of the first 59 games of the 2011-12 season.

Walter has found recent chemistry with teammates Hugh Jessiman and Adam Estoclet on a unit that has been nicknamed "the college line" as all three play- ers had prolific collegiate hockey careers before turn- ing pro. The trio was a force in today's game against Houston, combining for seven points (3-4-7).

Walter's impressive performance this year comes on the heels of a 2010-11 season in which he posted ca- reer bests in goals (23), assists (47) and points (70) to lead the Lake Erie Monsters in scoring. He finished ninth overall in the AHL league scoring and also added five points (3-2-5) in seven playoff games.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 6, 2012


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