The Abbotsford Heat wrapped up their season with a 7-3 road loss to the Oklahoma City Barons on Saturday.
The Edmonton Oilers affiliate scored three power-play goals in the second period – including two five-on-three goals in the final 30 seconds of the frame– to break open a game that had been tied 1-1, and tacked on a trio of even-strength goals in the third.
Veteran forwards Ben Walter and Krys Kolanos led the way for the Heat, each recording a goal and an assist in the loss. Abbotsford's other goal came courtesy Carter Bancks, who returned to the lineup after missing eight games due to injury.
Chris VandeVelde (two goals, one assist) and Jonathan Cheechoo (two goals) did the bulk of the damage offensively for the Barons, while Yann Danis stopped 21 of 24 shots as OKC completed a weekend sweep at the Cox Convention Center. They also defeated Abbotsford 1-0 on Friday.
Heat goalie Leland Irving took the loss, stopping 30 of 37 shots.
The Barons (39-25-11, 89 points) finish the regular season in sixth place in the Western Conference, and are playoff bound. The 12th-place Heat (34-32-10, 78 points) are done.
FLAMES RECALL SEVEN PLAYERS
Seven players from the Heat will serve as black aces with the Calgary Flames for the duration of the NHL regular season.
Forwards Bancks, Paul Byron, Akim Aliu, Blair Jones and Ben Street, defenceman Mark Cundari, and goalie Irving were recalled by the NHL parent club on Sunday.