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Nemisz finally scores, but Checkers cruise past Heat

Greg Nemisz notched his long-awaited first goal of the season on Friday evening, but it wasn't enough to solve the Heat's team-wide slump.
Abbotsford Heat take on the Charlotte Checkers
Luke Pither puts the puck past Heat goalie Barry Brust in the Charlotte Checkers' 5-1 victory at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on Friday.

Greg Nemisz notched his long-awaited first goal of the season on Friday evening, but it wasn't enough to solve the Abbotsford Heat's team-wide slump.

The Charlotte Checkers blitzed the Heat 5-1 at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, extending the Heat's season-high losing streak to six games.

Zac Dalpe and Brett Sutter led the way for the Checkers, each notching four points in the win. Dalpe had two goals and two assists, with both of his markers coming while shorthanded, while ex-Heat forward Sutter posted a goal and three helpers.

Matt Beca and Luke Pither also scored for Charlotte, while Checkers goalie Justin Peters backstopped his team to the victory despite the Heat's 28-16 edge in shots.

Barry Brust took the loss between the Abbotsford pipes, while the home team's power play came up empty on seven opportunities.

The lone bright spot of the evening from the Heat side of things came when Nemisz converted a feed from Roman Horak on a two-on-one break in the first period (see video below).

The Calgary Flames' first-round draft choice in 2008 (25th overall), Nemisz suffered a lower-body injury just days before training camp opened. He returned to the lineup Nov. 30, but his scoring touch had deserted him – he went 34 games without a goal before breaking through vs. Charlotte.

Blair Jones made his debut with Abbotsford after clearing waivers earlier in the week, and he posted a team-high four shots.

The Heat and Checkers renew hostilities on Saturday (7 p.m., AESC).