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Jaffray Jump Starts Heat To 5-2 Win

March 14, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


ABBOTSFORD, B.C - A three-goal, second period outburst by Jason Jaffray paced the Abbotsford Heat to a 5-3 victory over the Lake Erie Monsters in American Hockey League action at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre Saturday.

"It's great to get a couple under my belt because I was getting a little frustrated with my chances at the start of the game and then things just kind of turned my way," said Jaffray of his three-goal performance.

Garth Murray opened scoring for the Heat when he redirected a Josh Meyers point shot past Monster goaltender John Grahame 8:24 into the first period. Murray set up in front of Grahame and turned just in time to tip Meyers' point shot behind Grahame.

Lake Erie came back and tied the game about three minutes later on the power play when Tom Preissing's point shot eluded a screened Leland Irving.

Staffan Kronwall restored the Heat lead with just over one minute left in the first period. With the Heat pressing on the power play, Kronwall picked up an Andy Delmore pass and broke to the net, lifting a high backhand past Grahame, restoring the Heat one-goal lead.

The Heat had a 14-8 shot advantage after the first period and 25-19 after 40 minutes. The Heat outshot the Monsters 28-24 in the game.

The second period was highlighted by a three-goal performance by Jason Jaffray.

Only moments after having what they thought was a goal disallowed, the Heat scored its third goal of the game. Jaffray tipped a point shot past Grahame to give the Heat a 3-1 lead 7:18 into the second.

Ryan Stoa poked a puck under Irving to cut the Heat lead to 3-2 in the second.

Jaffray scored his second goal on a deflection off a Kronwall slap pass from the top of the slot. Jaffray completed the hat trick with his team-leading 25th of the season on a beautiful give and go with David Van der Gulik. Jaffray fed a cross-ice pass to Van der Gulik and Van der Gulik passed the puck back to Jaffray, who was waiting at the edge of the crease to tap home his third of the night.

Tom Preissing scored his second of the game one-minute into the third period to pull the Monsters within two, 5-3, but could get no closer as the Heat would sweep their North Division foes. The Heat led the penalty-filled tilt from start to finish, holding 2-1 and 5-2 leads at the period breaks. The win improves the Heat record to 34-25-4-6.

The Heat will return to the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre March 26 and 27 against the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Montreal Canadiens' AHL affiliate.

1. Jason Jaffray - ABB 2. Staffan Kronwall - ABB 3. Tom Preissing - LE



American Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2010


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