The Abbotsford Heat’s sophomore season will not include a return trip to the Calder Cup playoffs.
A 3-0 loss to the Lake Erie Monsters in Cleveland on Saturday evening was the final nail in the coffin for the Heat, who fell to 38-31-4-6 on the season.
Abbotsford will finish fourth in the AHL’s North Division, but it will be either the Oklahoma City Barons or the Chicago Wolves claiming the North’s fourth and final playoff berth via the crossover.
Matthew Ford scored twice on Saturday to pace the Lake Erie offence, while Abbotsford native David Van der Gulik – a member of the Heat last season – rounded out the scoring for the Monsters with a power play marker late in the second period.
Lake Erie goalie Jason Bacashihua flawlessly handled the 26 shots the Heat directed his way, posting his fourth shutout of the season. His Abbotsford counterpart Leland Irving stopped 20 of 23 shots.
The Heat wrap up the season with a road date with the Toronto Marlies on Sunday.