The Abbotsford Heat lost to the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers) 5-4 in a shootout on Sunday afternoon at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. The Heat remain in second place in the West Division with a 40-25-5-3 record and 88 points.
Photo by: Clint Trahan/Abbotsford Heat
With the shootout loss, the Heat closed out their regular season home schedule with a 20-11-4-3 record and have earned at least a point in their last four games. Heat forward Brett Olson extended his goal scoring streak to three games, while Brett Kulak scored his first career AHL goal.
The Heat opened the scoring with a power play goal from Brett Olson, assisted by Derek Smith and Blair Jones at 10:45 of the first period. Heat goaltender Doug Carr stopped all eight shots he faced.
In the second period, the Barons tied the game with a goal by Austin Fyten at the 5:56 mark. The Heat recaptured the lead when Brett Kulak found the back of the net at 7:44, with the assists going to Ben Hanowski and Josh Jooris. At 14:31, Ben Street put the Heat up 3-1, with a goal assisted by Derek Smith. Before the period came to a close, the Barons responded with a power play goal by Roman Horak at 17:21.
The Barons made it a 3-3 score on Austin Fyten’s second goal of the game at 6:10 of the third period. Just over two minutes later, Max Reinhart scored his 20th goal of the season assisted by Ben Street and Ben Hanowski at 8:27 to put the Heat back out in front. However, with time winding down, the game was tied on a goal by Barons forward Curtis Hamilton at 17:53, which sent the game to overtime.
Nothing was solved in the extra session and the two teams went to a shootout. Blair Jones scored the lone goal for the Heat, while C.J Stretch and Anton Ladner scored for Oklahoma City, sealing the victory for the Barons.
The Heat had an effective night on the power play, scoring two goals on four chances and killed off two of the three penalties.
Playing in his first career AHL game, Heat goaltender Doug Carr settled for the shootout loss making 22 saves on 27 shots. Barons goaltender Richard Bachman stopped 33 of 37 shots earning the victory.
The Heat wrap up their regular season schedule with a three game road trip that kicks off Thursday, April 17th at 5:00 PM PST in San Antonio against the Rampage (AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers). Heat playoff tickets are on sale now! The first home game goes Friday, April 25th at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. For tickets, please call 1-877-452-HEAT (4328) or visit us online at www.abbotsfordheat.com.