The Abbotsford Heat turned in their best effort of an otherwise forgettable road trip, but nevertheless dropped their fifth straight game on Wednesday.
The Chicago Wolves, the Vancouver Canucks' affiliate, edged the Heat 4-3 in a shootout at Allstate Arena.
Abbotsford fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits, with Krys Kolanos scoring with 2:48 remaining in regulation to force overtime.
The extra session solved nothing, and the Wolves went three-for-three against Heat goalie Leland Irving in the breakaway contest, while Carter Bancks was the only one of four Abby shooters to solve Chicago keeper Matt Climie.
Darren Haydar was the Heat's primary nemesis – with two goals and an assist in regulation, he was in on all three Chicago markers, and he was also successful in the shootout.
Wolves forward Bill Sweatt also had a three-point night (one goal, two assists), while Mitch Wahl and Brett Carson notched the other Heat goals.
The shootout aside, Irving was solid between the pipes for Abbotsford, turning aside 35 of 38 shots in regulation and OT.
The Abby defensive pairing of Carson and Joe Piskula both posted +3 ratings, and Piskula notched two assists.
ICE CHIPS:
• Earlier in the day, the Heat recalled Wahl from the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies and signed forward Andy Bohmbach, most recently of the ECHL's Trenton Titans. Wahl's goal was his first in four appearances with Abbotsford this season.
• With a winless five-game road swing in the rearview mirror, the Heat (26-20-8) return home for a Friday-Saturday set vs. the Charlotte Checkers (7 p.m. both nights, Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre).