Abbotsford scored the game-winning goal during a power play with 62 seconds left for a 2-1 win over Grand Rapids. Photo/Grand Rapids Griffins
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith 62 seconds left in the game, the Abbotsford Heat squeaked by the Grand Rapids Griffins in game three of their first round series for a 2-1 victory.
Markus Granlund made the game-winning goal for the Heat with 1:02 left in the game off a power play, extending the playoff series to a fourth game. Grand Rapids saw their largest playoff home opener since 1998 with 7,193 fans in attendance.
Grand Rapids welcomed back Mitch Callahan, Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco to their lineups for Wenesday night’s game. Callahan returned after suffering his now infamous broken jaw four weeks ago while Jurco and Sheahan have played with the Detroit Red Wings since Jan. 11 and Feb. 21, respectively.
The three stars teamed up for a power play goal with 2:33 left in the first frame. After Mattias Backman’s long shot hit Callahan out front, Sheahan got the puck and slid it to an open Jurco, whose shot found the seam between Heat goaltender Joni Ortio and the right post.
The Griffins held a 14-7 shot advantage after the first period, continuing their attack dominance from Game 2, where they out shot the Heat 46-17. The Griffins had missed opportunities in the second frame.
Abbotsford forced a deadlock 5:52 into the third period when defenseman Chris Breen launched a shot that Corey Locke was able to tip past Grand Rapids goaltender Petr Mrazek. Jeff Hoggan was called for a high-stick with 1:20 left in the game, giving the Heat an opportunity, and the game.
Chad Billins, who was a member of the Griffins’ 2013 championship team and signed with the Calgary Flames in the offseason, passed the puck to Granlund at the blue line. Granlund split a pair of defenders and swooped in on Mrzaek, roofing a backhanded shot for the win.
Ortio had a 34-save performance for the Heat after being pulled in Saturday’s 7-2 loss, while Mrazek made 23 saves and sustained his first postseason loss since Game 5 of last year’s finals. With the loss, the Griffins dropped to 4-12 all time at home when faced with an opportunity to eliminate their playoff opponent.
The Griffins and Heat will face off again Friday night, and if needed, Saturday night, at Van Andel Arena with both games slated for a 7 p.m. EST drop time.
