HEAT BLANK GRIFFINS

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 0 at Abbotsford Heat 1

April 2, 2011

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Leland Irving turned aside all 22 shots he faced, and the Abbotsford Heat recorded their second victory in as many nights against the Grand Rapids Griffins with a 1-0 win Saturday at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre.

The two teams entered the night tied for fifth place in the North Division, with Abbotsford's victory giving them 82 points on the season (36-29-4-6). The Griffins are now six points back of a playoff spot with only four games remaining, sitting at a 35-31-2-8 record.

The story of the first 40 minutes was that of a goaltender's duel. Jordan Pearce, who stopped all 16 shots he saw in a relief effort Friday night, kicked aside all 16 shots he saw in the first two frames. Irving was equally strong, steering aside 14 shots from the Griffins.

The Heat's Justin Dowling finally broke the deadlock at 2:31 of the third period. With Derek Meech serving a double-minor for high-sticking, Tyler Ruegsegger hit Dowling with a cross-crease pass that caught Pearce out of position. It was Dowling's first professional goal in his third-ever contest.

The Griffins generated several quality chances late in the game but were unable to solve Irving. Gustav Nyquist found nothing but glove after weaving into the Heat zone and letting go a wrist shot while Irving was moving across his net. A few minutes later, Jan Mursak picked up a rebound and had a sure goal knocked off his stick by a sliding Ruegsegger.

The Griffins will travel back to Grand Rapids for a few days before wrapping up a five-game road trip in Milwaukee on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Three Stars: 1. ABB Dowling (goal); 2. ABB Irving (22 saves); 3. ABB Brodie (assist)