Corban Knight's goal with just over three minute remaining in the third period lifted the Abbotsford Heat to a 4-3 victory over the Charlotte Checkers on Wednesday.
Knight pounced on a rebound off Ben Street's initial shot and whacked the puck past Checkers goalie Mike Murphy.
The victory extended the Heat's win streak to four games, during which they've racked up 21 goals, and they moved back into first place in the Western Conference with a 30-14-4 record.
The Checkers, who also lost to the Heat on Tuesday by a 7-1 count, slipped back to the .500 mark at 22-22-1.
Sven Baertschi opened the scoring for the Abbotsford, snapping a 12-game goalless drought in the process. He took a feed from Corey Locke and deked Murphy to the ice before lifting a shot over him.
Charlotte defenceman Dan Biega would equalize less than three minutes later, beginning a night-long pattern which would see the two teams alternate goals. The Heat got go-ahead tallies from Markus Granlund and Ben Street, with the Checkers equalizing on markers from Biega (his second of the night) and Zach Boychuk.
Knight's goal eventually stood as the game-winner, and he has six points (four goals, two assists) in his last four games.
Brett Olson chipped in with three assists, while Granlund has now scored in five straight games. The 20-year-old Finn's 21 goals on the season are tops among AHL rookies.
Olivier Roy, making his second straight start in net for Abbotsford, picked up the win with 34 saves on 37 shots.
The Heat host the Texas Stars on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.) to wrap up an eight-game homestand at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. The Stars, who boast the AHL's top power play (27.6 per cent) and second-best offence overall (3.65 goals per game), are three points back of the Heat in the West Division standings.
