Sports: Heat Shut Out Marlies 3 – 0

From The Heat. The Abbotsford Heat will look to extend their point streak to nine games in Sunday’s season-finale after a 3-0 shutout of the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

Abbotsford Heat photo

Hugh Jessiman opened the scoring at 16:29 of the first period on the heels of seven minutes of penalty killing by the home team. Jessiman bumped a Marlies forward off the puck behind the visitor’s net and then wrapped the puck around the Toronto net-minder to pot his 27th goal of the season, unassisted. Jessiman has enjoyed a banner campaign – split between the Lake Erie Monsters and the Heat – besting a previous career high of 20 goals in a season.

After a scoreless and penalty free second period the game went to the third with just a single goal scored between the two hottest teams in the Western Conference.

At 14:23 of the frame, Jon Rheault would extend the Heat’s lead to 2-0 as he jammed in a bouncing puck thrown on net by Ben Walter. Jessiman moved the puck to Walter who circled out of the left corner to the slot where his back-hander bounced to Rheault at the top of the crease. Rheault’s 16th of the season was his first since missing 20 games with injury that sidelined the forward for a month and a half.

Danny Taylor started his fifth straight game for the Heat, and made 22 saves to earn shutout number five on the season – just one clean sheet off the AHL lead. The Heat and the Marlies each had 23 shots in the Abbotsford win.

The Heat man-advantage finished without a goal on three opportunities, while the Marlies were stymied by the Heat on two minors and a five minute major to finish zero-for-three.

Abbotsford’s season finale is a rematch between these two clubs on Sunday afternoon at 1PM. Sunday’s game is Fan Appreciation Night, and will see a lucky fan win a SICK Civic courtesy the Honda Way and the Abbotsford News, plus thousands of other giveaways. Sunday’s regular season finale will be directly followed by the 2012 Team Year-End Awards presentations, and the ‘Cuts for the Cures’ where Heat players will shave their heads to help fundraise for the BC Cancer Foundation.

Sunday’s game can be heard on Country 107.1, theAHL.com, Country 107.1′s website, and on the Rogers Radio App on your wireless device all starting with the 12:30 pre-game show.
Friday’s game was the first of two home games against the Marlies to end their regular season. Next game is Sunday at the AESC.

Abbotsford has clinched the 4th seed in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage in the first round of playoffs.

Sunday, April 15th FAN APPRECIATION DAY!
Heat vs Toronto Marlies (NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs)
Doors 12pm Puck Drop 1pm
Game Sponsored by: SHAW
It’s Fan Appreciation Day sponsored by SHAW! Arrive early for some Pre Game Heat Hot Cakes at 11:30am at Main Entrance (by donation to Cuts for the Cure) and listen to live music by Natasha Zimbaro! SHAW is handing out Thundersticks and Rally Towels at the doors! Chance to WIN the ‘Sick Civic Giveaway’ contest presented by The Honda Way and The Abbotsford News, and there’s Jerseys Off Our Backs, along with Cuts for the Cure post game – get your head shaved on the concourse during intermission by a Heat player for $50 (adults) or $20 (kids) and all proceeds will go to the BC Cancer Foundation! Don’t miss this one – there will be lots prizing to be awarded including a SHAW GATEWAY, portal and TV valued at over $1,000!

For More On The Abbotsford Heat Please use The Link In Our Sports Directory or Simply Click Here.