December 18, 2013 – The Abbotsford Heat (20-7-1-1) and the Utica Comets (8-15-1-1) play for the 5th and 6th time this week during the Heat’s three game road-swing to the eastern timezone. The teams have split the season series so far with the visitors claiming all of the victories.

The Heat have slowed down somewhat after their incredibly hot start in October and November. They went 3-2-1-0 on their last homestand, with the Comets handing the Heat a regulation and overtime loss during that span.

The Heat and the Comets will play each other a whooping 12 times this season, which mean 24 points towards playoffs are up for grabs. It’s literally the matchup that the post-season can live or die on. So far, in 4 games, the Heat have collected 5 points and the Comets 4. 16 possible points remain up for grabs.

The Watchtower:

Heat Leaders vs. Comets Goalies GS RECORD .Sv% GA ------------------------------------- Joni Ortio 2 2-0-1-0 .892% 7 Joey MacDonald 1 0-0-1-0 .851% 4 Players GP G-A-P SOG +/- ------------------------------------- Corbin Knight 4 1-3-4 10 +3 Ben Hanowski 4 0-4-4 4 -1 Ben Street 4 2-1-3 12 -1 Chad Billins 3 1-2-3 8 -1 Markus Granlund 3 2-1-3 4 -2

From the season stats sheet you can see that scoring hasn’t been an issue, but the defence really hasn’t been there so far. Joey McDonald posted an OTL in last game between the teams, and with a days rest in between games this time around, I have a hunch Joni Ortio will get his 14th and 15th start against the Vancouver Canucks affiliate.

Things are a little scrambled in the forward ranks right now as the Heat recently acquired Sven Baertschi from the NHL and David Eddy from the ECHL, as well they’ve been without Bancks (sore neck but on the trip) and Michael Ferland (undisclosed) was injured on the weekend and did not travel with the team.

Baertschi will make his AHL season debut with the club tonight, and if Carter Bancks is unable to play, we may see David Eddy inserted into the lineup as well.

If you are looking for players to watch, it’s simple: Sven Baertschi should be hungry after a tough demotion from the Flames last week. Joni Ortio headed into the matchup with a 12-1-0-0 record. Marcus Granlund in on an 11-game point-streak (7-8-15) and Chad Billins is tied for 1st in league scoring for defenders. One more, I am just going to say it, Ben Street. Street is nearly a guarantee to impress any given night.

Little Green Men

Comet leaders vs. Heat Goalies GS RECORD .Sv% GA ----------------------------------------- Joacim Eriksson 1 0-0-1-0 .875% 5 Joe Cannata 3 2-1-0-0 .915% 9 Players GP G-A-P SOG +/- --------------------------------------- Pascal Pelletier 4 2-3-5 7 +3 Benn Ferriero 4 3-1-4 10 +2 Zach Hamill 3 1-3-4 4 +0

It took Utica 11 games to get their first win as franchise in the AHL, not the start any organization hopes for. They finally got that monkey off their back during a 3-2 win over the Lake Eerie Monsters on November the 8th, almost a full calendar month into the season. Management took note to the early losing and added Cal O’Reilly, was have given them 7 points in 9 games since being acquired.

Since that time, the Comets have played basically .500 hockey. That leaves them dwelling in the basement of the Western Conference in dead last. They recently Pulled a L-W over the weekend bowing out to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday before coming from behind to win 3-2 Sunday afternoon over the Lake Erie Monsters.

Former Heat member Colin Stuart is finding his stride after coming back from overseas, as he scored 4 goals on Friday night against the Binghamton Senators. Even with the recent uptick in play, the Utica Comets are still the worst team in the league, and should be in tough to get a victory against the Heat this week.

Keep The Fire Burning

The Abbotsford Heat have historically struggled after strong starts out of the gate. The shape of the roster is changing, with Jones, Breen and Byron with the NHL club, and Baertschi, Smith and MacDermid down on the farm in exchange. The Heat also have recently added David Eddy and Kane Lafranchise from the Alaska Aces of the ECHL and have sent down Drew McKenzie and Brendan Connolly. The challenge will be for the Abbotsford Heat to maintain their consistency despite a 25% roster turnover during the last month or so.

If they can maintain the consistent scoring that’s propelled them through 2013, and Ortio can continue to be the goalie that has given this team the confidence to win through the first 30 games, they should be a threat all season long.

Related articles