The Abbotsford Heat rallied in the third period, only to be turned aside in the shootout by David Leggio and the Rochester Americans.
Amerks goalie Leggio stymied all six Heat shootout attempts, while T.J. Brennan notched the game-winner in a 3-2 Rochester victory at Blue Cross Arena on Tuesday.
The Heat (14-4-6, 34 points) picked up three of a possible four points on a short two-game road trip, and they return home for a Friday-Saturday set against the Texas Stars (7 p.m., Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre).
Second-period goals by Rochester's Frederick Roy and Luke Adam sandwiched a tally by Heat forward Dustin Sylvester as the Amerks took a 2-1 lead into the final frame.
Sylvester set up Paul Byron for the game-tying goal at 7:42 of the third, as the two diminutive speedsters worked the give-and-go on a two-on-one break.
But the Heat couldn't solve Leggio in the shootout, and blueliner Brennan picked the top corner over Barry Brust's blocker after the Heat goalie had stopped the first five Amerks shooters.