Gameday: Heat visit Rampage

January 7th, 2014 – At least it’s warm.

The Abbotsford Heat (23-11-1-1) head to Texas after a so-so home stand where they went 2-2, sweeping OKC before being swept themselves by the Hamilton Bulldogs. The first roadblock on the trip comes tonight against the San Antonio Rampage (12-20-0-3) at 5PM PT/6PM MT.

Tonight’s match-up will be the 5th of 8 between the squad in 2013-14. Abbotsford has won all 4 previous contests, including once in the shootout. The two teams will play again during the Heat’s current roadtrip, on Saturday January 11th. Afterwards, the teams will not play again until the very end of the season in late April.

The Watchtower

Heat Leaders vs. Rampage
Goalies         GS   RECORD  Svs   .Sv%  GA 
-------------------------------------------
Joni Ortio       3  2-0-0-0   79  .940%   5
Joey MacDonald   1  1-0-0-0   29  .935%   2

Players         GP   G-A-P   SOG    +/-
-------------------------------------------
Markus Granlund  4   3-3-6    11     0
Mark Cundari     4   1-3-4     7     0
Ben Hanowksi     4   3-1-4     7    +1
Ben Street       4   3-1-4    12    +1

The Heat are in a bit of a slump after a hot start out the gate. They’ve won only 5 of their last 10 games, and have lost two straight. Ben Street was kept off the score sheet during the series against Hamilton, a rarity for him this season.

Markus Granlund scored the lone goal in the loss to Hamilton on Saturday, and Baertschi scored the lone goal on Friday. When you pile on the scoring chances, it’s not a matter of if, but when. The Euro-kids will be my guys to watch this week. Ortio will be among them looking to shake off his last tight home loss.

3 to watch: Granlund, Baertschi, Ortio

The Other Guys Barn

Rampage Leaders vs. Heat
Goalies         GS   RECORD   Svs   .Sv%  GA
--------------------------------------------
Jacob Markstrom  1   0-1-0-0   34  .918%   3
Michael Houser   1   0-1-0-0   23  .920%   2

Players         GP   G-A-P    SOG   +/-
--------------------------------------------
Colby Robak      2   0-3-3     5     +2
Bobby Butler     4   3-0-0     7      0

The Rampage are just 2-7-0-1 in their last ten game, and they are 14th in the western conference. It’s hard to put lip-stick on a pig. Even harder on a bull. In the Rampage’s last game, they saw a three goal lead evaporate before losing 5-3 to the Oklahoma City Barons.

So here’s the deal. Jacob Markstrom is good enough to steal a game, and the Heat have been snake bitten of late, scoring just twice in their last two games. That should be enough to keep the game close and interesting. Bobby Butler seems to provide offence every time these two teams meet; he’s scored 3 of his 9 goals this season against the Heat.

3 to watch: Markstrom, Bobby Butler, Vincent Trocheck

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Puck drops in San Antonio at 5PM PST/6PM MST. As always, Go Heat Go!