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Monsters Storm Heat, Win 5-4 in Shootout

April 7, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


CLEVELAND OH - The Lake Erie Monsters scored twice in the final six minutes of the third period, then added three goals in the shootout, to defeat the Abbotsford Heat 5-4 in the shootout in AHL action on Wednesday night in Ohio.

The Heat battled back twice from deficits in this game. In the first period, Brian Fahey put the Monsters out front with a bullet from the point on a Monsters power play. Fahey's 10th goal of the season at 5:47 gave the Monsters a quick 1-0 lead. Cam Cunning would get that one back for the Heat before the first period was over. Following a great chance by David Van der Gulik, cunning would corral the loose puck and beat Lake Erie goalie Jon Grahame for his 18th goal of the season at 12:48. Despite being outshot 10-4 in the opening period, the Heat was tied 1-1.

The 1-1 tie would last into the final minute of the second period. Darren Haydar would pick up a gift in front of the Heat goal to give his team the lead. Following a great chance by Ryan Willsie that was turned aside by Heat keeper David Shantz, a Heat defender attempted to shovel the puck under Shantz for a stoppage of play. Instead, the puck slid thru Shantz right onto the stick of Haydar, who poked the puck into the empty net to give the Monsters a big goal and a2-1 lead after two periods.

In the final period, the Heat would light up the Monsters early. First, Colin Stuart would score his 16th of the season, banging home a Mitch Wahl rebound to tie the game 2-2 at 1:36. Just 58 seconds later, Heat Captain Garth Murray would pick up his second point of the game, taking a nice pass from Cam Cunning and snapped in his 9th of the campaign to give his team their first lead of the game, 3-2. Five minutes later, Stuart would tally his second of the game and period, deftly deflecting a Keith Seabrook point shot past Grahame to give the Heat a commanding 4-2 advantage.

However, the Monsters would mount a comeback of their own. At 14:19, Monster rookie Kevin Shattenkirk would strip a Heat d-man of the puck and fire a shot on goal. Shantz would make the original save but the rebound was kicked out right onto the stick of Mike Carman, who cut the lead to 4-3 with his second of the season. Then with the Monsters net empty, veteran defenseman Tom Preissing would step into a great pass from Haydar and blast a shot past Shantz to tie the game at 4-4 with just 17 seconds left on the clock. Overtime would solve nothing, so the two teams prepared for the shootout. TJ Hensick would score the first of three straight goals on Shantz, while the Heat would be shutout in the skills competition and take the loss in the shootout, 5-4.

The same two teams will meet on Saturday night in Cleveland, with the Heat looking to climb the standings to reel in second place Rochester. After tonight's action, the Heat is 3 points up on the Manitoba Moose for third place in the North Division, and are three points back of the Americans in the battle for second place and home ice in round one of the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Catch all the action of the regular season and the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs on Country 107.1 FM. The Heat will take on the Monsters, this Saturday night from Cleveland, OH. The HONDA WAY Pre game show will kick things off at 4:15 PM, with Dave Sheldon calling all the action at 4:30 PM.

Abbotsford Heat Playoff tickets are on sale now for games 1 and 2. Call 1.877.452.HEAT or visit abbotsfordheat.com.

You can also get playoff tickets this Saturday! Come by Magnuson Ford to watch the Heat in the Street road hockey tournament, win prizes and meet Hawkey between 1 and 4pm!

The Abbotsford Heat is in the Calder Cup Playoffs! Tickets are on sale now! To order call 1.877.452.HEAT (4328) or visit abbotsfordheat.com.

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