1. SHORT HANDED STRETCH: The Heat had a parade to the penalty box in the second period and early third period that technically cost them only a single goal, but really hurt their chances of earning a win. Six consecutive power plays for the Stars didn’t allow Troy G. Ward’s new line formations to get much time playing together after a first period that saw just nine combined shots between the two clubs. Save for the final 4:03 of the game where the Heat played without a goalie and poured pucks on the net in 6-on-3, 6-on-4, and 6-on-5 play, it was a task getting dangerous shots on Christopher Nilstorp.
2. STREAKING STARS: Don’t look now, but new Head Coach Willie Desjardins has seen his club suffer just one regulation loss in their last ten games. The 1-0 OTL the Heat handed the Stars three weeks ago seems to have woked up the Austin outfit – they’ve moved from within reach of the basement dwellers of the Conference to within a single point of a home-ice playoff position. The Heat will look to end the Stars’ run tomorrow in the rematch.
3. LAMB MAKES IT RAIN: Brady Lamb picked a pretty memorable spot for his first professional goal. The Calgary product, who played four seasons of NCAA hockey at Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA), hammered in a shot from the left point with a crowd infront that evened the game at a goal apiece, and triggered the rain of thousands of stuffed animals onto the ice. Two pick-up trucks were filled to max capacity to remove the toys, all in support of the Abbotsford Food Bank’s Christmas Bureau. Lamb won’t forget it anytime soon!
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