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Weekend Preview: Games 74, 75, 76 vs. San Antonio Rampage, Texas

April 16, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Thursday, April 17th - 5:00 PM PST - AT&T Center

Friday, April 18th - 5:30 PM PST - AT&T Center

Saturday, April 19th - 5:00 PM PST - Cedar Park Center

Radio: CIVL RADIO 101.7FM

Streaming: TEAMRADIO.CA

*Pre-Game Show begins 15 minutes prior puck-drop

San Antonio, TX - Only three games remain on the regular season schedule for the Heat, who will know their opponent for the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs by the end of Saturday. Fans are encouraged to 'Jump on the Bandwagon' one final time before the Heat cease operations in the city of Abbotsford at the conclusion of the playoffs. Game one of the first round is set for Friday, April 25th at Abbotsford Centre. For tickets, please call 1-877-452-HEAT (4328) or visit us online at www.abbotsfordheat.com .

The Heat are in sixth place in the Western Conference, one point out of fifth place occupied by the Milwaukee Admirals with three games to go. The Heat can finish no lower than sixth place, and no higher than fourth, and will likely face either Chicago or Toronto in round one. Abbotsford has an overall record of 40-25-5-3 and 88 points.

HEAT vs. RAMPAGE (AHL AFFILIATE OF THE FLORIDA PANTHERS)

Abbotsford has played very well against the Rampage this season, going 5-1-0-0 in their six meetings. It has been a close season series, with four of the six games being decided by two goals or less, including two games which have needed overtime or a shootout.

San Antonio is 14th in the Western Conference, and will not make the playoffs this season. Their overall record is 30-35-3-6 with 69 points. Friday night will be the end of the season for the Rampage, who is led in scoring by Bobby Butler who has 47 points (22-25-47) in 67 games played. Vincent Trocheck is close behind him with 41 points (16-25-41) in 54 games. Trocheck and Drew Shore will represent Team USA at the upcoming World Championships in Belarus.

2013-14 Heat head to head stats vs. San Antonio Rampage:

11/05/13 - SAN 1 ABB 2 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre

11/06/13 - SAN 2 ABB 3 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre SO

12/06/13 - SAN 2 ABB 4 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre

12/07/13 - SAN 2 ABB 5 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre

01/07/14 - ABB 1 SAN 5 @ AT&T Center

01/11/14 - ABB 3 SAN 2 @ AT&T Center OT

Individual leaders in season series (among active skaters):

ABB: Street: 5 points in 6 GP (4-1-5), Reinhart: 5 points in 5 GP (2-3-5), Hanowski: 4 points in 6 GP (3-1-4), Ortio: 5 GP (4-1-0-0, 149/160 saves)

SAN: Butler: 5 points in 6 GP (4-1-5), Robak: 5 points in 4 GP (1-4-5), Trocheck: 4 points in 6 GP (2-2-4), Houser: 1 GP (0-1-0-0, 23/25 saves)

HEAT vs. STARS (AHL AFFILIATE OF THE DALLAS STARS)

Abbotsford has struggled against Texas this season with a 2-4-1-0 record through seven games. Many of the contests played between the two West Division rivals have been blowouts either way, with a combined total of 52 goals in 21 periods of hockey. Four of the seven games have been decided with a four or more goal differential for the winning team. Saturday concludes the season series and the 2013-2014 regular season for both teams.

Texas is locked into the top spot of the Western Conference and will be a good final test for the Heat heading into the Calder Cup Playoffs. They boast an overall record of 47-17-3-7 with 104 points, tied for the league lead with Manchester in the Eastern Conference. The Stars are red-hot heading into the post season, having recorded a point in 12 straight games and are fresh off an 11 game winning streak. No team has scored more goals in the AHL than the Stars, and nobody has scored more points than Travis Morin with 86 (32-54-86) in 65 games. Curtis McKenzie leads all AHL rookies in scoring and is 9th overall in the league with 64 points (26-38-64) in 73 games. Cedar Park Center has been the toughest place in the AHL for opposing teams to pick up wins, as the Stars have a league best home record of 29-7-0-1.

2013-14 Heat head to head stats vs. Texas Stars:

10/20/13 - ABB 3 TEX 9 @ Cedar Park Center

11/13/13 - ABB 7 TEX 3 @ Cedar Park Center

01/10/14 - ABB 0 TEX 5 @ Cedar Park Center

02/08/14 - TEX 2 ABB 3 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Center SO

02/09/14 - TEX 7 ABB 2 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Center

03/04/14 - TEX 3 ABB 1 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Center

03/05/14 - TEX 4 ABB 3 @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Center OT

Individual leaders in season series (among active skaters):

ABB: Jones: 6 points in 5 GP (4-2-6), Street: 6 points in 6 GP (2-4-6), Knight: 4 points in 6 GP (1-3-4), Ortio: 2 GP (1-0-0-0, 59/65 saves)

TEX: Ritchie: 9 points in 7 GP (5-4-9), Morin: 8 points in 6 GP (3-5-8), Dowling: 7 points in 7 GP (1-6-7), Nilstorp: 6 GP (4-1-0-1, 160/176 saves)

NEWS & NOTES

The Calgary Flames announced on Tuesday, that they will discontinue their American Hockey League operations in the City of Abbotsford at the conclusion of the 2013-14 AHL season. "In 2010 we came to Abbotsford with our AHL affiliate at the behest of the City Administration of the day," said Flames President & CEO Ken King. "Our aims were simple, to establish a home in the American Hockey League where we could develop our younger players in a strong community environment. The economics did not turn out the way any of us intended, despite the tremendous efforts of many men and women who made it their mission to convert the allegiances of local hockey fans, at least at the American Hockey League level, to the Heat. Notwithstanding economics our experiences in the Fraser Valley have been good. We have made good friends, have wonderful local partners and believe that our players have been served well in this market. Unfortunately the time has come for us to move on."

The Flames place a strong emphasis on their player development program and have a plan in place regarding their AHL franchise for the 2014-15 season. While several opportunities exist for the Flames development program, an announcement on the ultimate location of their AHL franchise will be made in due course.

The Calgary Flames announced on Monday, that they have assigned Chad Billins and Chris Breen to the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League. Billins appeared in eight games for the Flames during this recall recording one assist. He is in his first season with the Heat and currently leads the defence in scoring with 40 points netting 10 goals and 30 assists in 62 games and was named to the 2014 AHL All-Star Game. Breen played three games on this call-up registering a pair of assists including his first NHL point. He has played 38 games with Abbotsford this season recording a goal and three assists along with 29 penalty minutes.

The Abbotsford Heat announced on Monday, that they have assigned goaltender Olivier Roy to the Alaska Aces, the Heat's developmental ECHL affiliate. Roy, a native of Amqui, Quebec appeared in 12 games with the Heat this season registering a 5-6-1 record along with a 3.31 GAA and a .902 save percentage.

The Calgary Flames announced on Wednesday, that they have assigned defenceman Keegan Kanzig and forward Emile Poirier to the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League. Kanzig, a native of Athabasca, Alberta, played in 63 games with the Victoria Royals (WHL) this season, and registered a career high of eight points (3-5-8) and 99 penalty minutes. Kanzig was selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Poirier, a native of Montreal, Quebec, played in 63 games with the Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) this season, and registered a career high of 87 points (43-44-87) and 129 penalty minutes. Poirier was selected in the first round (22nd overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

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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