Heat Blank Bulldogs

The Abbotsford Heat beat the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) 6-0 on Friday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC). The Heat now sit in second place in the Western Conference with a 26-14-3-1 record and 58 points.

Markus Granlund and Max Reinhart yet again led the Heat with their strong play, both tallying two points. Corban Knight reestablished himself with three points (2+1) on the night.

Recently assigned from Calgary, Blair Jones stepped right back into the lineup and scored two goals. Joni Ortio put forth a spectacular performance, earning his second shootout of the season.

The first period was scoreless as the Heat outshot the Bulldogs 9-7.

The Heat did put one past the Bulldogs net-minder, but the goal was disallowed due incidental contact with the goalie.

The Bulldogs had an amazing scoring chance to start off the second period, but defenseman Derek Smith stepped into the open net to make a great skate save and keep the game scoreless.

The Heat responded on the power play with a goal by Markus Granlund, assisted by Max Reinhart and Corban Knight at 10:26. Corban Knight quickly added another goal at 11:53 in the second period, assisted by Brett Olson and Evan Trupp.

Knight added his second of the game at 19:04. The goal was assisted by Trupp and Smith, giving the Heat a 3-0 lead at the end of the second.

Josh Jooris scored his fifth goal of the season at 7:20 in the third period to further cement Abbotsford’s lead, assisted by Sven Baertschi.

Blair Jones tallied his first of the night at 9:52, assisted by Reinhart and Granlund. Jones quickly netted his second goal of the night on the power play, from Smith and Corey Locke, at 11:39 in the third.

Abbotsford capitalized on two of their five power play opportunities, while killing off all three of the Bulldogs’ man advantages.

Joni Ortio stopped every shot he faced, turning aside 34 shots, while Dustin Tokarski made 22 saves on 28 shots.

Thanks to the Heat for the info. Special thanks to Laird Allan for the photo inserted in the story.