AGD: Double up the Dogs

 

Time: 8:00pm

Location: Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre

Broadcast: abbotsfordheat.com, teamradio.ca

Abbotsford scored a convincing victory over the stumbling Hamilton Bulldogs, outshooting them 28-16 and outscoring them 5-1. Sven Baertschi and Roman Horak got back on the scoresheet, while only a Hamilton short-handed goal robbed Barry Brust of yet another shut-out.

One guy who continues to impress is Ben Street. The 25 year old counted another two points last night (goal and assist) and led the team in shots on goal with 7. He now has 17 points in 19 games to co-lead the team with Sven and has garnered an incredible 74 shots on net (3.89/game) which is also tops not only the best on the Heat, but in the whole league. Street is also a guy whose play passes the eye test: whenever I’ve seen an Abbobtsford game this year, he has stood out as one of the best players on the ice. 

Street was never drafted and has never really been a notable scorer at any level, but he’s starting to look like one of those rare guys who just figures it out in his mid-20’s. I don’t know if that will translate into a trip to the NHL or not, but he’s certainly proven to be a great addition for Abbotsford so far.

Greg Nemisz did indeed get into game action and the forward units were shuffled as a result.

According to Ryan Pinder, Nemisz skated with Reinhart on the putative 4th line. I don’t know if that’s simply to ease him into game action after so much time off or a reflection of how the coach rates the player. For Nemisz’s sake, I hope it’s the former and not the latter.

On another note, I’d start thinking about putting Street and Baertschi together if I was Troy Ward, but may he wants to spread out the attack a bit. They tend to get some time together on the PP thought. It’s also notable that Krys Kolanos continues to draw the short straw as the veteran healthy scratch.

Of interest – five of the six goals were scored on special teams last night. Hamilton took 12 minors and Abbotsford took 7. The Heat penalty kill continues to be otherwordly.

Poor Hamilton. Not a juggernaut at the best of time, they spent all night in the penalty box last night which killed any chance they had of making a game of it.

Not much more to say about the Canadiens affiliate that wasn’t said yesterday. They’re in a deep funk right now.

The Heat continue to kick butt and defy the odds. If they can sweep the B2B against the bulldogs tonight, they’re 32 points will be 6 more than second place Charlotte.