[thymebalm]

One month of AHL hockey has gone by, and the Abbotsford Heat are proudly sporting a 6-3-0-0 record, good for 4th in the west. It was a team effort that built Octobers winning record, by limiting shots on goal, and having excellent special teams. The goals didn't come early for the Heat, but since the addition of Krys Kolanos to the lineup two games ago, the Heat have outscored their opponents 11-3. Below is a look at team and individual stats through October.

Team Stats

GP - 9 (tied for 10th)
Wins - 6 (tied for 2nd)
GF - 23 (tied for 22nd)
GA - 19 (3rd)
PP% - 25% (6th)
PK% - 92.9% (1st)

Leaders After October

Goals - Krys Kolanos (4)
Assists - Ben Walter (6)
Points - Ben Walter (9)
+/- - TJ Brodie (+3)
Shots - Dustin Sylvester (24)
PIMs - Paul Byron (26)

Leland Irving leads all goaltending categories

GP: 9 (1st in AHL)
Wins: 6 (1st in AHL)
SO: 1 (tied for 1st in AHL)
SV% .912% (21st in AHL, *tied with Joni Ortio)
GAA: 2.05 (8th in AHL)

Noteworthy:

Leland Irving picks up where he left off as the most winning goaltender in the AHL. So far, his decision to stay in North America is panning out. He really could be the future starter between Calgary's pipes. Perhaps the most noteworthy thing to happen to Irving this month was the first fight of his professional career! As a "third man in fight" he was ejected from the game and Ortio was allowed to mop up for him.

Krys Kolanos comes out of nowhere and puts up 7 points in 2 games as the Heat's newest roster player. There is no questioning this players slick hands. A one time 30 goal scorer for the Quad City Flames in 08', fans should be happy to have this guy back in the fold.

Ben Walter may well prove to be the cornerstone the Heat were looking for to build a competitive club, and that's not just because he brought his father Ryan Walter with him to the Heat organization. Ben is producing at a point a game clip and shows all the signs of a veteran pro. He would be my go to guy for a call up at this point.

TJ Brodie could be criticized for his slow start to the season, but the defender swore to improve his game on his own side of center-ice so he could get stick in the NHL. As of right now, he leads the team in +/-, so it appears he's being true to his word.

Lance Bouma and Jordan Henry find their way into the slow starts category, despite both being highly touted prospects of the Flames camp this year. Neither has registered a point and both are -2 this month.

Greg Nemisz is also doing quite well in his sophmore pro season, but will likely be overshadowed by some of the veterans added to the club this off season. He has 6 points in 9 games and has progressed nicely in the power forward mold.

Raitis Ivanans has dressed in two matchups since being sent down, collecting 0 PIMs and 2 shots on net. Recovering from injuries marginalizes many players, and one must wonder how Raitis will get himself back into a regular pro hockey lineup.

Paul Byron ends the October update with a bit of controversy. Byron was ejected from a game earlier this month after boarding an opposition player whilst they celebrated a goal. He was suspended for 3 games, finishing off his suspension this afternoon. It's hard to believe Byron is only 5'7" and 154lbs when you see the tenacity he plays with. Makes one yearn for a second coming of a Theo Fleury type to the franchise, though Byron clearly still has lots to learn.

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After one month of hockey, it fair to say the Abbotsford Heat have built on the strong defensive foundation they established last season, and look to be a legitimate contender for the Calder Cup playoffs.