Matt Climie makes 30 saves as Chicago Wolves shut out Abbotsford Heat 1-0

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Matt Climie made 30 saves as the Chicago Wolves edged the Abbotsford Heat 1-0 in American Hockey League action Saturday night.

It was the second shutout of the year for Climie and the ninth of his AHL career. He also blanked the Heat 1-0 on Dec. 19.

He has started 16 of the past 17 games for the Wolves with top netminder Eddie Lack out with a groin injury.

Andrew Gordon provided the offence for Chicago (17-12-5), which is 4-1-1 in its last six games.

Danny Taylor stopped 14 shots for Abbotsford (17-12-7), which has won just four times in its past 17 games.

Both lineups were depleted Saturday with the call-up of several players to the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames training camps that begin Sunday. A handful of players were making their season debuts including Heat defenceman Drew MacKenzie, who was playing his first career AHL game.

With about three minutes to go in the first Climie made his best stop of the opening period. Ryan Howse rushed down the left wing and unleashed a shot Climie couldn’t corral, giving Brett Olson a great rebound opportunity. But the Wolves’ netminder stretched out to snag the puck with his glove, keeping the game scoreless.

Olson had a partial breakaway moments later but couldn’t get a good shot off.

The Wolves opened the scoring in the final minute of the first while on their third power play of the game. Bill Sweatt threw the puck on net and it came out the other side to Gordon, who tucked the puck to his backhand before flipping it past Taylor for his ninth of the season.

Chicago’s power play was ranked 30th a month ago but now is middle of the pack thanks to scoring in six straight games.

The second period saw the Heat outshoot the Wolves 11-1 without success.

The third period didn’t feature a lot of grade-A scoring chances. A giveaway behind his own net by Taylor almost led to a wrap-around goal for Sweatt, but the 24-year-old winger missed the far post.

NOTES: Chicago’s Brett Sterling had nine points during his five-game point streak that was snapped Saturday.