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Preview: Games 47, 48 vs. Charlotte Checkers

February 3, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Abbotsford, BC - The Abbotsford Heat had a stellar weekend, sweeping the Hamilton Bulldogs at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC). Joni Ortio delivered two spectacular performances, allowing only one goal through the two-game series and earning himself his first NHL recall to the Calgary Flames. Markus Granlund and Max Reinhart continued their strong, combining for seven points in the two games (4-3-7).

In their past two games, the Heat have capitalized on three out of nine power play opportunities and added a shorthanded goal, while killing off all of the 11 Hamilton power plays. The Heat are now ranked first in penalty killing on home ice with an 89.9 percent kill rate.

The Heat remain in second place in the West Division at 28-14-3-1 with 60 points.

HEAT vs. CHARLOTTE CHECKERS (AHL AFFILIATE OF THE CAROLINA HURRICANES)

The Heat and Checkers are members of the West Division, but they have yet to face-off against each other this season. The season series will be done in a matter of two weeks as the four head to head meetings will be over BY February 16th. The teams have evenly split their all-time records against each other, both accumulating four wins and four losses.

The Checkers currently sit in third place in the West Division with a 22-20-0-1 record and 45 points. They are one of the hottest teams in the AHL right now, losing only twice in their last ten games and scoring a total of 40 goals. Former Heat forward Greg Nemisz returns to the AESC this weekend. Nemisz had his AHL start with the Heat back in the 2010-2011 season and went on to appear in 206 games, which puts him second in all-time games played in Heat franchise history. The Heat will have to be aware of Zach Boychuk, who is the top goal scorer for the Checkers with 21 goals to date and is coming off a hat-trick on Saturday night in Lake Erie.

NEWS & NOTES

On February 8th and 9th the Heat will face-off against the Texas Stars (AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars). Saturday, February 8th will be Country Night, so come in your best country get-up and have the chance to win tickets to Florida Georgia Line, Dean Brody, or $15,000 dollars in The Honda Way Shoot Out. Saturday will also feature the third $3 $2 $1 Brew Dog 'N Pop night. February 9th will be the Pink in the Rink night supporting the BC Cancer research Foundation. For tickets please call 1-877-452-HEAT (4328) or visit us online at www.abbotsfordheat.com .

The Calgary Flames announced on February 3rd, 2014 that they have assigned centre Ben Street to the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League. Street has appeared in 31 games with the Heat this season recording 33 points (17-16-33) and has played in five games with the Flames since his call up on January 12th.

On Monday, the Heat announced that they signed goaltender Thomas Heemskerk. The Chilliwack native has played in 15 games with the Quad City Mallards (CHL) registering a 10-1-4 record along with a 2.36 GAA and a .923 save percentage. He will back-up Olivier Roy this weekend.

The Abbotsford Heat, in partnership with the Virtual Broadcast Network (VBN), are pleased to announce an all new weekly television show on Shaw TV Abbotsford called "Heat This Week". Brandon Astle will host the show and bring 30 minutes of wall to wall coverage on everything Abbotsford Heat. The show will air four times weekly on:

- Thursday- 3:30pm

- Friday-11:30pm

- Saturday- 5:30am

- Saturday-7:30pm

For fans not in the Abbotsford area or without access to Shaw TV Abbotsford, the show will be available for viewing on abbotsfordheat.com.

Brandon Astle will bring all live Heat action this week on 101.7 CIVL FM and on www.teamradio.ca. The pre-game show begins 15 minutes before puck drop.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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