The Abbotsford Heat lost to the San Antonio Rampage (AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers) 5-1 on Tuesday night at the AT&T Center. The Heat remain in first place in the West Division with a 23-12-1-1 record and 48 points.
Photo by Darren Abate/San Antonio Rampage
Special teams was the difference in the game for the Rampage who scored four power play goals and killed off all five of their penalties. After the Heat opened the scoring in the first period, the Rampage scored five unanswered goals including three in the third period to put the game away.
Heat defenseman Mark Cundari started the game off with an early goal at the 1:35 mark of the first period assisted by Max Reinhart and Sven Baertschi. The Rampage were able to even up the game at 13:47 with a power play goal from John McFarland. The Heat outshot the Rampage 11-10 after 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Rampage took the lead at the 4:40 mark with a power play goal from Joey Crabb. The Heat managed to fire seven shots on Jacob Markstrom, but were unable to find the back of the net and were down 2-1 after two periods of play.
The Rampage closed out the third period scoring three consecutive goals from Bobby Butler, Colby Robak, and Matt Gilroy. Joey MacDonald came in relief of Ortio at the 6:39 mark and allowed one goal on seven shots.
The Heat went zero for five on the power play and finished two out of six on the penalty kill.
Jacob Markstrom picked up the win in goal stopping 27 of 28 shots, while Joni Ortio was charged the loss turning away 19 of 23 shots.
The Heat continue their six-game road trip on Friday against the Texas Stars. After the road trip, the Heat will return home and begin an eight-game home stand starting with the Utica Comets on January 24th and 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.