Rookies carried the load offensively for the Abbotsford Heat on Monday evening, as they closed out a four-game road trip with a 5-2 triumph over the Texas Stars.
Ryan Howse recorded his first multi-goal game as a pro, scoring twice, while fellow AHL freshmen Dustin Sylvester, Adam Estoclet and Andy Brandt rounded out the scoring for the Heat (34-25-3-4, 75 points) as they took sole possession of fifth place in the Western Conference.
Colton Sceviour potted both goals for Texas (27-33-2-2, 58 points), who are last in the West.
Sceviour opened the scoring at 17:50 of the first period, beating Heat goalie Leland Irving on a penalty shot.
But Sylvester equalized 54 seconds into the middle frame, and goals by Howse and Estoclet gave the Heat a 3-1 lead.
Sceviour cut the deficit to one late in the second, but Howse and Brandt tallied in the third to seal the victory.
It represented the first career AHL goal for Brandt, who joined the Heat late last week from the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators after signing a player tryout (PTO) contract.
Irving made 22 saves for his 19th AHL win of the season.
The Heat are at home this weekend to face the San Antonio Rampage on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).
Heat goalie Leland Irving showcases his flexibility while making a save against the Texas Stars on Monday night.