AGD: Chance for Revenge
Kent Wilson
October 20 2012 11:37AM
Time: 8:00pm MST
Location: Abbotsford
Broadcast: Sportsnet One (TV)
The Heat will get a chance to avenge their 3-2 SOL to the Wolves from last night. The two clubs were neck and neck through regulation time, but Chicago swept the ensuing shoout-out easily, scoring on three shots while none of the Heat's shooters managed to beat Eddie Lack.
A couple of Abbotsford's streaks survived the loss: with two more goals on the PP, the Heat have now scored five goals on 13 opportunities (38%). In addition, Roman Horak extended his goal scoring to three games with his PP marker. He has managed the feat with just six shots on net (50% sh%).
Clearly, neither of those things is going to continue indefinitely, but it will be interesting to see how long either streak lasts.
Other notable stats from last night:
- Baertschi didn't get on the scoresheet, but still fired another four shots on net. He now has 11 in three games.
- Danny Taylor had another strong performance and according to Ryan Pinder was the only reason the Heat escaped the second period (where they were outshot 12-6) alive.
The Lineup
Im going to assume nothing major changes from last night, although coaches do tend to shake things up after losses. Nemisz and Byron still aren't healthy apparently though, so the only real switch could be one veteran for another or Michael Ferland finally seeing game action.
It's also possible another goalie sees some game action tonight given it's the second night of B2B.
The Opponent
As mentioned yesterday, the Wolves are a strong team and with the win last night are now 4-0 to start the season. They don't boast any one particular dominant scorer or anything so far, but the team overall (and goaltending specifically) is solid. The Heat will need to find a way to do something at even strength as well as the powerplay to get by them tonight.
Sum it Up
As mentioned at the top of the post, this game is being televised by Sportsnet tonight. Tune in at 8 and swing by to share some thoughts.
I think Bouma is out due to injury. He didn't return after the second.
@Sincity1976
Ahh, thanks for the heads up. Maybe Ferland will get a chance in his absence?
@Kent Wilson
Him or Eddy I think. From what I heard Eddy was pretty decent in camp so it wouldn't surprise me to see him get in the line-up.
Hopefully Ferland. And he pounds Kassians face in.
No goals for Sven last night, but he looked deadly. A couple very sweet toe drags making defenders look silly. Horak looks REALLY good in the AHL medium.
Any chance in a Live Chat for tonight?
Looking forward to watching Sven and the rest of the Heat play tonight. Interested to see how some of the other guys play tonight, like Horak, Reinhart, Bouma and others. We all know that Sven and Brodie are pretty darn good, but it's the depth guys that can be just as important to the Flames once the NHL starts again around 2014.
@ChinookArch
Not tonight CA. Probably not enough folks interested. Plus Coveritlive isn't free anymore, so we have to find an alternative.
That said, folks are free to share their thoughts in the comments.
EVEN DURING A LOCKOUT WE CAN'T ESCAPE KERR AND SIMMER!!
@schevvy
There is NO escape.
I think Kerr might get better at the job over time. Simmer has been around for years and never improved, however.
@Kent Wilson
Simmer follows too closely to his own advice, keeps it far too simple.
Brust in net.
What's the scouting report on Barry Brust? Obviously Ward has not been impressed with Irving.
P.s- John Garrett too?? Oh dear god
Wow, Breen is incredibly slow and awkward.
Haha Desbiens. Somewhere commenter everton fc is sitting watching in disappointment.
@schevvy
Brust had a good season in the AHL last year i believe. Probably just another minor leaguer though.
Really tough start to the game for the Heat. Wolves look like the better team for sure.
And just as I type that, Abby gets two ten-bell chances.
Yeeesh that was a crap goal given up by Brust.
Kassian has a laser beam shot.
Im surprised Lamb and Kolanos aren't dressed.
Sweet baby Jesus, Brodie's fantastic. He's making some sick, sick passes.
Has anyone figured out what Playfair saw in Breen? Holy hell he's terrible
@schevvy
Talking about that on twitter right now. I have no idea. It's panic time in the Heat zone whenever he's out there.
From watching yesterdays game, Kolanos looked incredibly unmotivated when he didn't have the puck, especially in the D-zone
Apparently Kolanos is out because the Heat can only have 5 vets dressed...and Ward preferred to have Laing in tonight (*cough*).
@jgl
That's been Kolanos calling card since forever, unfortunately. It's that and his less than great skating stride that kept him out of the show.
Just some sick plays by Baertschi.
Baertchi can sure create space for himself.
Baertschi looks like one of those guys who just knows where the puck is going.
Really liking Horak's game tonight and all season thus far. Just very patient and he's been able to utilize his foot-speed and hands a bit more than he did last year.
@Ryan Pike
He's a guy that has better tools than a lot of AHLers it seems. I didn't notice him too much in the first though.
I've really come to hate the word 'truculence'.
Wolves were the better team overall in the first. Heat really seemed to struggle in their own zone, giving up a lot of quality chances and generally running around. The last 3 defenders on the depth chart (Breen, McKelvie and Callahan) are, uh, "high risk" at times.
Low reward, high risk. That's quite a combination.
I'm not sure which guy it is, but one of the other defenders actually looks slower on the ice than Breen, which is terrifying.
@Kent Wilson
It's too bad that Coverlite isn't free anymore. Have you guys found any promising or potential replacements?
@ChinookArch
Not yet.
@Kent Wilson
Just go stand in front of Wanye's mansion and demand he pony up some cash hahaha.
@schevvy
That doesn't work.
This PK looked better than the last one.
@ChinookArch
A lot better. Nice plays by Reinhart and Bancks on it to create chances.
Nice!
Thank you Eddie Lack.
Atta boy Bancks! Classy player
@schevvy
Too bad he got tuned on. Ballsy though.
Love this Bancks kid.
Also- Bancks was never a real scrapper in junior. He still isn't haha
Heat definitely getting more zone time this period.
Sven's got some nice puck skills.