The Abbotsford Heat completed a stunning third-period comeback in the shootout, edging the Texas Stars 3-2 on the road Friday.
The Stars led 2-0 with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, courtesy of goals from Matt Fraser and Raymond Sawada.
But the Heat found their collective scoring touch in the late going. Brendan Mikkelson ignited the comeback with a power-play goal at 15:56 of the final frame. Then, with just 47 seconds remaining, Lance Bouma banged home a rebound off a shot from Raitis Ivanans to level the score.
The Heat were lights-out in the shootout, as three of four shooters – Ben Walter, Jon Rheault and Dustin Sylvester – solved Texas goalie Richard Bachman.
Abby keeper Leland Irving was sharp on this night – the Stars out-shot the Heat 36-23 in regulation and overtime. But Irving was up to the task, and he also stopped all three Texas shooters he was required to face in the shootout.
The Heat (9-4-1-0) have won the first two games of a season-high seven game road trip. They lead the AHL in road wins, having been victorious in seven of their first eight games away from home this season.
ICE CHIPS:
• For the first time as a member of the Heat, Krys Kolanos failed to record a point. He had posted seven goals and six assists over the course of the previous six games.
• The Heat stay in Cedar Park, Tex. for a rematch with the Stars on Saturday.