Heat Post-Game: All Good Things Come to an End
2 years ago
Well folks, we knew this day would come. The Heat have lost a game, thus, ending their outstanding nine-game winning streak to kick off the 2021-22 season. But it is not all bad news. They played the second half of their weekend series against the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday night and fell 4-3 in overtime. This loss outside of regulation still keeps another key streak alive for the Heat. Their point streak. They have only lost twice this season, but have yet to lose in regulation. Meaning, the new streak to watch is the 11 game point streak.
Zary’s on the board
Connor Zary played in his third game with the Heat tonight since rejoining the team after a Flames rookie camp injury. It only took him the three competitions to light the lamp. Here’s a look at his first goal and point of the year.
Last season, Zary spent his time on a line with Adam Ruzicka and Matthew Phillips before he went on the join the Kamloops Blazers for his final junior season. That place has since been taken by Jakob Pelletier and at this point, they aren’t worth splitting up with all the offensive success those three have had. In his three games back, Connor Zary has been rotating at center on a line with Justin Kirkland and Heat Captain, Byron Froese.
The game of 2s for Gawdin
Glenn Gawdin had a big night for the Heat, putting up two assists on goals by Luke Philp and Connor Zary in the first period. This effort earned him the second star of the night. The only Heat player to get recognized by the media in this overtime loss.
Speaking of overtime, Gawdin had a chance to win the game on two occasions very early in the extra frame. He had the game on his stick on a breakaway and got another opportunity on the rebound. Neither went his way and by a minute into OT, Henderson scored their game-winner.
If you want to argue another stat with a two in it, Gawdin also got two minutes for roughing early in the second period.
Other game highlights
Luke Philp opened up the game scoring 5:32 into the first period on the power play. His goal was originally credited to Nick DeSimone but a scoring change was announced in the first intermission to confirm Philp touched the puck last. Connor Zary snuck in his goal with 2:18 to go in the first and the Heat finish the opening 20 ahead 2-1.
In the second period, Adam Ruzicka scored his ninth of the season with assists going to Byron Froese and Jakob Pelletier. Henderson would answer back 13 seconds later and the second period ended with the Heat leading 3-2.
The Silver Knights scored early in the third and this held them until overtime and we already know how that went. 1:00 into 3-on-3 OT, Ben Jones scored the game-winner and snapped the Heat’s win streak. It wasn’t for lack of trying as the Heat put up 38 shots on the night.
Dustin Wolf was back in net after taking Friday night off and stopped 22 of 26 Henderson shots. Although he has been in net for both overtime losses this season, he has also yet to lose a game in regulation between the pipes for the Heat.
A look at the lineup
Martin Pospisil remains absent from the lineup on a day-to-day upper-body injury. A timeline for return is unclear at the moment. Another new change to note is Emilio Pettersen was a healthy scratch in Saturday’s game. He had played in all 10 Heat previous competitions and took a seat for the first time this season.
A week’s wait
The Heat will have more time than usual to process this loss as they do not play again until next Sun., Nov. 21. It’ll be a big one to prepare for as they face the Ontario Reign on back-to-back nights. The Reign lead the Pacific Division for the majority of the season until the Heat beat the Silver Knights on Friday. However, even with this overtime loss the Heat are still on top of the Pacific and second in the league. Next week might be a couple of their toughest games yet with Sunday’s game kicking off at 4 p.m. MT and Monday night puck drop at 8 p.m. MT.
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