The Abbotsford Heat were defeated 4-3 by the Western Conference leading Texas Stars (AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars) on Wednesday night at the Cedar Park Center in Greater Austin.
Krys Kolanos and Dustin Sylvester each had multi-point nights in a game that featured seven goals, two fights and a goaltending change for each team. The Heat led 2-1 after 20 minutes but allowed three goals in the first five minutes of the second period to fall behind by two. The loss leaves the Heat in ninth spot in the Western Conference.
Krys Kolanos opened the scoring for the Heat on their first shot of the game. Kolanos’ 14th goal of the season was assisted by Dustin Sylvester and Brady Lamb.
The Stars tied the game 1-1 at 16:42 of the first period, but the Heat responded less than two minutes later. At 18:05, Blair Jones scored his second goal of the season, assisted by Dustin Sylvester and Krys Kolanos. The Heat led 2-1 after the first period.
The Stars scored three goals in the first 4:45 of the second period before netminder Christopher Nilstorp was injured and forced to leave the game at 5:05. Two fights followed Nilstorp’s departure in the second period, and the Stars led 4-2 after 40 minutes of play.
Rookie defender Mike Matczak brought the Heat within one early in the third period with a point shot that beat Jack Campbell. Ben Walter set up the goal at 1:48 of the period with his 23rd assist of the season.
The Heat pulled Barry Brust late in an attempt to tie the game, but the Stars held on to break a five game winless skid with a 4-3 win.
Danny Taylor made his fourth straight appearance for the Heat and stopped 11 of 14 shots before Barry Brust replaced him at the 2:43 mark of the second period. Brust made 11 saves on 12 shots. The Heat outshot the Stars by a 28-26 margin in the game.
The Heat did not score on two power plays, while the penalty kill erased all four Texas opportunities.
The Heat continue their road trip through Texas tomorrow with their final meeting of the season with the Houston Aeros (AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild) at 5:05 PM PDT. The Heat will conclude their longest road trip of the season on Sunday afternoon against the San Antonio Rampage (AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers).
The Heat return home on March 22nd and 23rd against the Rockford IceHogs (AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks). For tickets and more information on the Heat, please call 1-877-452-HEAT(4328) or visit us online at www.AbbotsfordHeat.com.
Photo Credit: Josh Rasmussen/Texas Stars