Abbotsford, BC – The Abbotsford Heat beat the Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres) 3-1 on Saturday night to split the two game series at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre (AESC).
Coquitlam product Ben Street had two goals and one assist as the Heat scored three unanswered goals to earn their first win of 2013. Danny Taylor won his second straight start and Joe Callahan recorded his first multi-point game as a Heat player with two assists.
Nick Tarnasky opened the scoring 6:47 into the game with an even strength goal that put the Americans ahead 1-0. T.J. Brennan and Kevin Sundher each drew assists on Tarnasky’s sixth goal of the season.
With just 30 seconds remaining in the first period, Ben Street scored his ninth of the season to tie the game 1-1. T.J. Brodie and Krys Kolanos assisted on the even strength goal.
Tyler Ruegsegger gave the home team the lead at 11:12 of the second period with his second goal of the season. Joe Callahan’s point shot was stopped, but Ruegsegger scored on the rebound to give the Heat their first lead of the weekend.
The Heat extended their lead to 3-1 when Ben Street netted his second goal of the night on a pass from Paul Byron. Street’s goal came at 3:24 of the third period and gives the third-year pro a team-leading 25 points on the season.
Sven Baertschi was awarded a penalty shot at 14:10 of the third period after being impeded on a breakaway, but David Leggio made the save to keep the score 3-1. The penalty shot was the first awarded this season during a Heat game.
Danny Taylor started for the Heat and made 17 saves on 18 shots to earn his second consecutive victory. The Heat outshot the Americans by a 31-18 margin, for a total of 81 shots on the Rochester net over the weekend set.
Neither club took advantage on the power play despite seven combined opportunities. The Heat had three man-advantages, while the Americans had four.
The Heat will play their next six games on home ice, including next weekend’s two-game set against the Chicago Wolves (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks). Saturday’s game features a post-game concert by Peak Performance Project Winners Dear Rouge. For tickets call 1-877-452-HEAT(4328) or visit us online at www.AbbotsfordHeat.com.
