It’s becoming a trend. Max Reinhart got a goal and a helper in just his third pro game as the Abbotsford Heat bettered the Toronto Marlies 3-1 in game one of the best-of-seven series.
Reinhart is making a habit of lighting up the Marlies. In his professional debut on April 15th, the 20 year old from Vancouver scored twice, which means that after tonight he has three goals and one assist against the Heat’s second round foe.
With a nose for the puck around the net, Reinhart opened the scoring at 15:24 of the first period, shoveling the puck past Marlies netminder Ben Scrivens.
The Heat would carry the 1-0 lead into the second frame when Reinhart was instrumental in his team’s second goal. After taking a Krys Kolanos pass, Reinhart made a neat play off the back of the net back to himself before feeding a Chris Breen one-timer. That put the Heat up 2-0 at the 8:17 mark, and thanks to some solid goaltending from Danny Taylor it would stay that way to the second intermission.
In the third period the Marlies came to life, finally getting on the board just 1:27 in, going on to outshoot the visitors 15-5 in the final 20 minutes.
However, Taylor managed to keep the score 2-1 until a Guillaume Desbiens empty net goal at 18:39 all but iced it for the Abbotsford Heat.
Taylor made 31 saves on 32 shots and was named the game’s first star.
Max Reinhart, who signed with the Calgary Flames on July 14th of last year, is showing what management likes about the young centre. His good size and skating ability is positive and he is proving that he rises up in big situations.
With game 2 going on Thursday in Toronto, it’ll be to the Heat’s benefit if Reinhart’s Marlie-killing style continues.
