After a rough start to the season, Ryan Howse is beginning to assert himself for the Abbotsford Heat.
The rookie forward scored in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Heat edged the Rockford IceHogs 3-2 on Wednesday evening to wrap up a five-game road trip.
Howse failed to register a point over his first 20 games as a pro, but he broke through with his first goal on Feb. 18 against the Houston Aeros. Over his last six games, he has three points (two goals, one assist).
The host IceHogs opened the scoring on Wednesday, as blueliner Ben Youds tallied on the power play at the midway point of the first period.
Howse replied with a man-advantage marker of his own, deflecting in a slap pass from Ben Walter at the 14:39 mark. But just 17 seconds later, the IceHogs reclaimed the lead on a goal by Matt Fornataro.
Akim Aliu drew the Heat even at 7:23 of the second, getting away on a breakaway after blocking a shot and then beating Rockford goalie Carter Hutton.
The third period and overtime did nothing to solve the deadlock; nor did the first six rounds of the shootout, as the two teams exchanged three successful attempts. In the seventh round, Howse solved Hutton to end it.
Heat goalie Danny Taylor made 31 saves in regulation and OT.
Abbotsford improved to 6-2 in shootouts this season, and boosted their overall record to 30-21-3-2 to move into a tie with the Chicago Wolves for fourth in the AHL's Western Conference with 65 points.
The Heat open a six-game homestand this weekend, as they host the Texas Stars on Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.) at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.