Bancks scored the first Heat goal of the game with an assist from Nemisz and Grantham. Nemisz was extremely crafty in this game when it came to stick handling and passing. Dave Sheldon even told everybody to go out and get your #15 Nemisz jerseys if his play continues the way it did tonight. The third line was the most dominant line for the Heat tonight.
The score remained 2-1 for practically the whole game, until Matt Keith scored with about 1:30 left in the game to tie it up.
The game went to a shootout (where there are 5 shooters, not 3). Rheault, Chucko, and Kronwall all scored in their attempts to win it.
Although the Griffins scored 2 goals, the second goal was a bit of a fluke. The puck was laying on the goal, nobody knew where it was, Irving was twisting and turning not knowing where it was and accidentally hit the puck into his own net. Other than the one goal he did let in, he stood on his head for the rest of the game. The game could have been so much worse if Irving had made a ton of huge saves.
Pelech was an absolute beast. He had about 4 or 5 thundering hits. He also got in a fight with Amadio, Grand Rapid's goon.
Gaelen Patterson was a beast at the faceoffs on the PK.
On the bad side: Negrin wasn't very good. Even Dave Sheldon commented a couple of times on how he wasn't very impressive (his words were "unnoticeable").
I don't know who this Piskula guy is, but if anyone has any info on him that'd be great.
Overall, a good first game.
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Pelech, Cunning and Keith are wearing A's tonight with no captain.
Kronwall had an A instead of Cunning in the opener.
According to AHL.com
Yes, I would imagine they will eventually choose a Captain depending on who emerges as the best leader. I don't think anyone has really came into camp as a leader (i.e., Garth Murray).
I wonder if naming Kronwall captain would satisfy him enough to stay in Abbotsford.
Negrin struggled through camp as well. He seemed to have a hard time with the pace of things - not skating - but being able to make those quick decisions.
Season opener: Heat 3 - Griffins 2 in SO
