GAME NOTES

Special Teams Report

The Heat continued their strong special-teams play last night, going two for four on the power play and four for four on the penalty kill. So far this season, the Heat are five for 13 with the man advantage, a league-high 38%. The Heat have also gone nine for nine on the penalty-kill so far this season. Last season the Heat ranked 19 of 30 on the power play and 10th on the penalty kill. The Chicago Wolves have only scored on one of 21 power play chances so far this season, and have killed 14 of 19 penalties.

Trigger Man

Krys Kolanos, the Heat’s leading scorer in the 2011-12 campaign, is certainly not afraid of shooting the puck. Despite playing in only 47 of 76 games last season, Kolanos recorded 240 shots, seventh in the league and 11% of the entire Heat squad’s shots on goal for the season. Kolanos converted one of every eight shots into goals last season for a total of 30, 15% of the Heat’s 200 goals. This trend looks likely to continue into the 2012-13 season, with Kolanos recording six shots and one goal in his first game, and four shots with one assist in his second. So far this season, only Sven Baertschi has fired more shots than Kolanos, 11 to Kolanos’ 10. However, Baertschi has dressed in all three Heat games while Kolanos has only suited up for two.

Post-game Concert Series

Tonight’s game sees the first of the Heat’s Post-Game Concert Series as ‘Fighting for Ithaca’ takes the stage following the hockey game for a 40 minute set. "A survey of our fans confirmed that pricing and added value were important factors in the fan experience," said Ryan Walter, Abbotsford Heat President. "We have top NHL prospects playing on our ice, we have lowered our ticket prices, and we're continuing to add value with a live concert series following three featured games. We are looking forward to hosting Fighting For Ithaca to kick that off."

For your Fan Experience Guide to tonight's game, click here.

Desbiens Returns

Guillaume Desbiens returned to the AESC for the first time on Friday night after playing for the Heat in 2011-12, where he served as an alternate captain. The rugged winger played for the Chicago Wolves in 2008, when they a Calder Cup as the AHL affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers. Desbiens also spent three seasons (2008-09 to 2010-11) with the Manitoba Moose, the previous AHL affiliate of the Canucks. Desbiens played ten games for the Calgary Flames last season, and engaged in five fights.