Cleveland, OH – The Abbotsford Heat remain undefeated in regulation this season after they suffered a 4-3 shootout loss to the Lake Erie Monsters on Saturday night.
Sven Baertschi assisted on two Heat goals, and Roman Horak extended his point streak to six games with an assist. Leland Irving stopped 30 of 33 shots in his first start of the season.
The Heat allowed the first goal of the contest at 3:46 of the first period, but tied the game less than four minutes later with Dustin Sylvester’s third goal of the season. Rookie forward Sven Baertschi and veteran defender Steve McCarthy drew assists on the goal.
The Heat fell behind 2-1 later in the first period, but Krys Kolanos tied the game with his second goal of the season. Sven Baertschi and Roman Horak assisted on Kolanos’ goal.
The Heat took the lead 3-2 at 3:58 of the second period on Ben Street’s second goal of the season. T.J. Brodie and Quintin Laing earned assists on the goal as Street scored from his stomach while the Lake Erie goaltender was tied up at the side of the crease.
Lake Erie had the lone goal in the third period to force overtime. Despite nearly a minute of four-on-three power play time for the Monsters, neither team scored during the overtime period.
In the shootout, the Monsters and Heat each scored once in the first five rounds, with Roman Horak scoring for the Heat. The Monsters scored the winning goal in the sixth round of the shootout.
The Heat penalty kill remains perfect this season, having killed five minors and one major penalty on the night. The Heat power play had one opportunity but did not score. With a point for a regulation tie, the Heat have earned 10 of a possible 12 points to start the season.
The Heat will finish their three-game road trip with a game against the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) tomorrow at 2:00 PM PDT.
The next Heat home game at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre comes against the Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) on Thursday, November 1st and Friday, November 2nd. Friday’s game is a Loonie Toonie Dog 'N Brew night, featuring $1 hotdogs and $2 beer. For tickets visit AbbotsfordHeat.com or call 1 877 452-HEAT (4328).
