The Oklahoma City Barons scored twice in the final two minutes of the third period to defeat the Abbotsford Heat 3-1 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Friday evening.
With the score knotted 1-1 and overtime looming, Barons forward Alexandre Giroux beat Heat goalie Leland Irving with 1:06 left in regulation. Chris Vandevelde added an empty-netter for the Barons, who out-shot Abbotsford 14-3 in the third period.
The Heat, playing at the home rink of the NHL parent Calgary Flames for the first time, drew first blood on Ryan Stone’s goal at 11:17 of the opening frame. The Barons, the top farm team of the Edmonton Oilers, leveled the score on Mark Arcobello’s second-period goal.
ICE CHIPS:
• The Heat proved to be a solid draw at the gate on Friday, as 8,407 fans came out to see the Flames' top prospects.
• The Heat and Barons fly back to Abbotsford for a rematch on Saturday (Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, 7 p.m.). Visit abbynews.com for updates.