Texas losses 5th Straight VS. Abbotsford, 5-2

It was another lack luster night at the Cedar Park Center as the Texas Stars lost their 5th straight and ended a 7 game home stand with a lack luster 2-5-0 record that on a team that is last in the Western Conference and has been out of the playoff race for a while now. Many players are looking to count down the number of days to end the regular season and get on with the off-season.

After one of the few big highlights of the night that included Colton Sceviour which scored both goals (Including a Penalty Shot late in the first) but other then that it was Abbotsford's Night with huge games from the likes of Ryan Howse who scored twice and almost had a hat trick at one point, as well as Andy Brandt & Leland Irving who didn't have a great night but made the critical saves that kept the Stars out of the game at huge portions of it.

Other then Sceviour they were very few other players that had strong nights, even players like Matt Fraser who had a 4 game goal scoring streak that was snapped back on back on March 13rd against the Oklahoma City Barons and Scott Glennie who despite getting an assist on Sceviour's 2nd goal, still finished the night with a -1 rating.

After a couple of days of practice coming up this week, Friday Night will most likely see the introduction of  both Jack Campbell & Austin Smith will both be looking to make their Pro Hockey Debut after seeing their NCAA & OHL Season's wrap up last weekend. Campbell is looking to put a rough Junior Season behind him that saw the Greyhounds finish 9th in the OHL West and missed the playoffs. While Smith is looking to continue what's been a very strong season included being the nation's leading goal scorer and looking to win the Hobey Baker Award when the Top 3 is announced next Thursday with the Winner being announced on April 6.

Abbotsford's Victory saw the Heat move up to 5th Place in the very tight AHL Western Conference Playoff Race by overtaking the Peoria Rivermen. If the AHL Playoffs started today, the Heat would come down to Texas to play the Houston Aeros in the AHL Western Conference Quarterfinals in the #4 VS. #5 Series.

Abbotsford Heat 5  Texas Stars 2  (0-1, 3-1, 2-0)

Texas Stars Head Coach Jeff Pyle Post-Game Comments

Colton Sceviour Post Game Comments

Texas Stars Press Release

From Austin, Texas: The Texas Stars (27-33-4, 58 Points, 15th Place) were defeated by the Abbotsford Heat (34-25-7, 75 Points, 5th Place) 5-2 at the Cedar Park Center on Monday Night. Left Wing Ryan Howse registered two goals for Abbotsford, including the game winner at 5:04 of the second period. Right wing Andy Brandt notched a goal and an assist while Center Brian Walter and defensemen Joe Piskula each added two assists. Forwards Adam Estoclet and Dustin Sylvester also scored as the Heat finished 6-2-0 against the Stars.

Abbotsford goalie Leland Irving stopped 22 shots, taking the team's road record to 22-11-3. Stars right wing Colton Sceviour put up both goals for the home team. Texas Goalie Tyler Beskorowany (10-18-0) stopped 26 saves in the loss. Texas travels to Oklahoma City on Friday, March 23rd at 7:30 PM.

The Stars got on the board late in the first period with a penalty shot from right wing Colton Sceviour. Sceviour's 18th tally of the season went in with 2:10 remaining in the first period and gave Texas a 1-0 lead.

The Heat tied the game 1-1 in the second period with a goal from center Dustin Sylvester. Sylvester found the back of the net with help from right wing Akim Aliu and defensemen Brian Connelly just 40 seconds into the second frame. Abbotsford jumped out to a 2-1 lead at 5:04. Left wing Ryan Howse beat Texas Goalie Tyler Beskorowany with assists from defensemen Clay Wilson and center Ben Walter. The Heat continued the scoring, generating a 3-1 lead with 6:44 left in the second period. Center Adam Estoclet snapped a wrist shot in for his fifth goal of the year. Walter and defensemen Joe Piskula added an assist on the club's third goal of the night.

The Stars cut into the Heat's Lead with 3:03 remaining. Right wing Colton Sceviour netted his second goal of the night as he poked the puck past Abbotsford Goalie Leland Irving. Left wing Francis Wathier and Center Scott Glennie each provided an assist on the tally that made it 3-2.

Abbotsford strengthen it's lead at 2:09 of the third period. Left wing Ryan Howse notched his second goal, giving the Heat a 4-2 lead. Defensemen Jon Piskula and and right wing Andy Brandt each supplied an assist. The Heat struck again with 6:03 to go in the final frame. Brandt tapped in his first goal of the season for a 5-2 lead. Forwards Carter Bancks and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond set up the play.

Texas stars a three game road trip on Friday, March 23 at Oklahoma City at 7:00 PM. The Stars then travel to Toronto for a 2 PM Faceoff against the Marlies on Sunday, March 25th. The Trip concludes on Tuesday March 27th at 6:00 PM against the Lake Erie Monsters. Texas returns home to face the Hamilton Bulldogs on Thursday, March 29th at 7:30 PM. Thursday's Game is a 3-2-1 night, featuring $3 Domestic Drafts, $2 Sodas & $1 Hot Dogs.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available at the Texas Stars Website or by calling 512-GO-STARS (467-8277). 2012-13 Season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars Season Tickets packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars Season Tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.texasstarshockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini plans may call the Texas Stars Front Office.

San Antonio grinds past Abbotsford 2-1

The Rampage took advantage of a shorthanded Abbotsford Heat who has been battling with the Houston Aeros & Oklahoma City Barons for the Western Conference Lead. On a night where the Heat were forced to play a man down and had another injury to Desbeins Guillaume early on in the 3rd period. That shows that the Heat are a very deep team despite the injuries to stay within striking distance. Also the San Antonio Rampage are continuing to prove that they have few guys that can score as they continue to be dead last in scoring with just 89 goals in their 39 games this season (2.28 Goals Per Game).

The Heat their Southwest Road trip 2-3 with 3 of their 5 games finishing in a 1 goal game where they went 1-2 in those 3 games (2-1 losses against San Antonio last night & Texas last Wednesday Night & a 2-1 win over Oklahoma City on Sunday). So despite the injury issues, they were able to keep those games close and show the quality of depth and character that this team is showing that they could be in the race for not only #1 Overall seed in the Western Conference. But possibly get in a deep playoff run when the AHL Playoffs begins in Mid April and take a shot of possibly winning the team's 1st ever AHL Calder Cup Championship. In addition to the 1 goal games, they also lost 3-1 to Oklahoma City and won 5-0 on Tuesday Night

Despite their problems scoring goals, they continue to be just 3 points back of the 8th Place Peoria Rivermen who currently hold down the 8th & Final Playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rampage now have a couple of days to prepare for the dreaded 3 game in 3 night stretch with a pair of road games against Houston on Friday Night at 7:35 PM & Sunday Evening at 5:05 PM. Sandwiched in between those two games will be a very critical matchup between the Peoria Rivermen where they will have  a prime opportunity to climb in the Western Conference Playoff Race.

Abbotsford Heat 1  San Antonio Rampage 2  (1-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Abbotsford Heat VS. San Antonio Rampage Game Highlights

San Antonio Rampage Post Game Interviews

Updated AHL Standings

San Antonio Rampage Ticket Info

From San Antonio, Texas: Center Mark Cullen scored 7:12 into the third period to lift the San Antonio Rampage to a 2-1 triumph over the Abbotsford Heat on Martin Luther King Day at the AT&T Center.

The Rampage scored the game's first goal at 14:49 into the opening period. With San Antonio on a power play, center James Wright deflected an Evan Barlow shot from the top of the right circle and the puck found it's way past Abbotsford goalie Goaltender Danny Taylor to give the Rampage a 1-0 advantage. Forward Scott Timmins picked up the secondary assist on Wright's fourth goal of the season.

Right wing Akim Aliu answered back for the Heat with just over a minute remaining in the frame. A shot from the defensemen Jordan Henry hit Rampage backstop Dov Grument-Morris, caromed off the skate of Aliu, and glided into the net. Forward Quintin Laing also assisted on the Aliu marker, which tied the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless second period, San Antonio regained the the lead on Cullen's fifth goal of the 2011-2012 campaign. He redirected a point shot from defensemen Mike Vernace past Taylor to hand the Rampage a 2-1 edge. Center Bracken Kearns tallied his 15th assist of the year with the secondary helper on the play.

Grument-Morris made 25 saves on 26 Heat Attempts for his 8th win of the season while Taylor turned aside 29 of of 31 Rampage shots in the Abbotsford Loss.

The Rampage (19-18-2) travel to Houston on Friday at 7:35 PM (CST) contest with their in-state rivals, the Houston Aeros, at the Toyota Center

Texas scores huge Final Minute win over Abbotsford

In what was a goaltenders duo in Austin last night, the Stars were looking to make sure that they wouldn't get crushed like how the Rampage were crushed by Abbotsford back on Tuesday Night. Both Andrew Raycroft & Danny Taylor made some great saves to keep the scoring low last night.

But both goalies gave up goals on what looked like to be some weak turnovers, including seeing Taylor getting pulled at the 2nd intermission just over a minute after Stephen Schultz broke the scoreless deadlock.

This was one of the biggest wins of the season for the Stars as the Heat are currently leading the Western Conference by just 1 point over the Houston Aeros & Oklahoma City Barons by a single point who are currently tied for 2nd in the Division.

To show you how tight the West Division & How strong all 3 teams are, is that all 3 teams would be division leaders in every other Division in the American Hockey League except the East Division where the Hershey Bears are leading with 53 points right now.

The Texas Stars will now begin a 4 game Mid-West Road Trip as they will get it started in Michigan to play the Grand Rapids Griffins, they will also play the Milwaukee Admirals, Rockford Ice Hogs & Chicago Wolves over the course of the Road Trip.

While Abbotsford will now head to Oklahoma City for a pair of games on Saturday Evening & Sunday Afternoon as 1st Place will be on the line once again in the Western Conference. Back in November, Abbotsford & Oklahoma City split a two game series in Oklahoma City with a pair of 4-1 games.

As for other AHL Games in the Southwest this weekend. The Aeros will be in Peoria for a weekend series against the Rivermen. While the San Antonio Rampage will only have one game this weekend at home against the lowly Rockford Ice Hogs. The Rampage are looking to comeback from a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Abbotsford back on Tuesday Night.

Here's the current AHL West Division Standings

1. Oklahoma City  37 GP  23-10-4  50 PTS  110-87

2. Houston  37 GP  20-8-9  49 PTS  105-96

3. Abbotsford  37 GP  23-11-3  49 PTS  98-87

4. San Antonio  37 GP  17-18-2  36 PTS  85-107

5. Texas  35 GP  16-16-3  35 PTS  104-107

This weekends Southwest AHL Schedule

1/13

Texas Stars VS. Grand Rapids Griffins  6:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

1/14

Texas Stars VS. Milwaukee Admirals  7:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  7:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. Peoria Rivermen  7:00 PM

Rockford Ice Hogs VS. San Antonio Rampage  7:00 PM

1/15

Abbotsford Heat VS. Oklahoma City Barons  4:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat 1  Texas Stars 2  (0-0, 0-1, 1-1)

Press Release from the Texas Stars Website

From Austin, Texas: The Texas Stars (16-16-3 35 PTS) defeated the Abbotsford Heat (23-11-3 49 PTS) in front of 3,640 fans at the Cedar Park Center on Wednesday Night. Stars Right Wing Colton Sceviour scored the game winning goal with 12 seconds remaining in the 3rd period. Forwards Stephen Schultz also scored for Texas, extending the team's point streak at 4 games (2-0-2). Sars Goalie Andrew Raycroft stopped 32 shots, as the Stars Improved to 8-7-2 at home. Abbotsford goalie Danny Taylor stopped 33 of 34 shots faced in the 1st 40 minutes of play. Joni Orto stopped 8 shots in relief, taking the loss for the Heat. Abbotsford center Quintin Laing scored the game tying goal for the Heat. Texas travels to Grand Rapids on Friday, January 13th at 6:00 PM (CST) to face the Griffins.

After a scoreless first period, Texas scored the opening goal of the night late in the 2nd period. Forward Stephen Schultz snuck the puck past Taylor with 1:04 remaining in the period. Schultz's fourth goal of the year went unassisted off a Heat Turnover, grabbing a 1-0 lead for the Stars.

Abbotsford tied the game at 1-1 as center Quintin Laing found the back of the net at 10:55 of the 3rd period. Defensemen Joe Piskula put up the assist on Lang's tenth goal of the season. Texas Right Wing Colton Sceviour netted the game winning goal with 12 seconds left in the final frame. Center Scott Glennie set up Sceviour's seventh goal of the season, closing out the 2-1 win.

Texas will embark on a four game road trip from January 13-18, making stops in Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Chicago & Rockford. Texas will return home on Friday, January 20 to host Peoria at 7:30 PM. The first 2,500 fans to Friday's Game will receive a player magnet courtesy of Time Warner Cable. Friday is also 3-2-1 night featuring a $3 Domestic Drafts, $2 Sodas & $1 Hot Dogs. The Stars take on the Houston Aeros at home on Saturday, January 21st at 7:00 PM. The first 2,500 fans to Saturday's Game will receive a player card set compliments of Good Will. Saturday is also the State Farm Family Four Pack consisting of four tickets, four sodas & four hot dogs for $44.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available on the Tickets Page on the Texas Stars Website or by calling 512-GO-STARS (512-467-8277).

2011-2012 Season Ticket Packages are on sale now. For more info on Texas Stars Season Tickets call (512)-GO-STARS or www.texasstarshockey/tickets/. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars Front Office.





Abbotsford Blasts the Rampage 5-0

In a game where basically nothing went right for San Antonio, the Abbotsford Heat just took advantage of major turnovers, poor shots, bad special teams and not much execution. The Heat took advantage of one of the worst performances of the year by the San Antonio Rampage to win 5-0.

The Rampage didn't take advantage of a major opportunity that would gotten them within one point of both the Rochester Americans & Peoria Rivermen who are currently tied for the 8th & Final Playoff spot with 39 points right now.

Abbotsford on the other hand is back within one point of the Western Conference Leading Oklahoma City Barons who they will play in a weekend series this upcoming weekend

"This was a disappointing effort for 60 minutes." San Antonio Coach Chuck Webber said in a post-game interview. "The only thing I felt we did is constantly is turnover the puck and lose one-on-one battles.

Webber was more disappointed then anything else as he mentioned a bunch of things that lead to the worst showing of the year. "Even when we lost 5-0, 4 of them were power play goals." Mentioning a game back on October 21 game at home against the Peoria Rivermen, currently the Rivermen are sitting in a tie with the Rochester Americans for the 8th & Final Playoff spot in the AHL Western Conference right now.

"We got outworked for pretty much the entire game," Rampage Forward Bracken Kearns said following the 5-0 loss. "But they were pretty hungry after how they were pretty embarrassed and they did it to use tonight." Mentioning a game back on November 25 when the Rampage beat the Heat by the same 5-0 score in a similar fashion.

San Antonio will hit the ice again on Saturday Night back at the AT&T Center against the last place Rockford Ice Hogs on Saturday Night at 7:00 PM. While the Abbotsford Heat will continue their Southwest Road Trip tonight in Austin to play the Texas Stars at 7:30 PM at the Cedar Park Center tonight.

Abbotsford Heat 5  San Antonio Rampage 0  (2-0, 2-0, 1-0)

San Antonio Rampage TV

Press Release from the San Antonio Rampage Website

From San Antonio, Texas: The San Antonio Rampage were defeated by the Abbotsford Heat by a score of 5-0 at the AT&T Center on Tuesday Night.

Abbotsford scored the game's first goal at 11:00 into the opening period to take a 1-0 lead. With the Heat Shorthander, Center Quintin Laing received a feed from the right wing Guillaume Desbiens and fired a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Rampage backstop Dov Grument-Morris for his ninth goal of the season. Defensemen Chris Breen registered the secondary assist on the Laing tally.

Right wing Akim Aliu extended the Abbotsford edge to 2-0 with just over a minute remaining in the first. In a goal mouth scramble at the front of the net, Aliu was the last player to touch the puck before it slid past Grument-Morris and over the goal line. Aliu's third score of the year was assisted by the defensemen Joe Piskula and Center Ben Walter.

A power play goal from center Krys Kolanos at 3:12 of the middle stanza made the count 3-0 in favor of the Heat. From the end line, Kolanos took a pass from right wing Jon Rheault, and roofed a shot over the shoulder of Grument-Morris to tally his 17th goal of the 2011-2012 campaign. Laing picked up his second point with the secondary assist on the play.

Left Wing Raitis Ivanans converted on a two-on-rush with forwards Carter Bancks 8:54 into the second period to give Abbotsford a 4-0 advantage. Ivanans gathered a pass from Bancks before firing a shot into the right side of the net for his second tally of the year. Also notched a helper on the goal was left wing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond.

Rheault tallied his 14th score of the year at 14:33 mark of the third period when he intercepted a San Antonio pass and quickly ripped a shot by Grument-Morris to give the Heat a 5-0 lead.

Abbotsford backstop Danny Taylor turned aside 26 Rampage shots he faced for his 2nd shutout of the season while Grument-Morris made 37 saves on 42 Heat attempts.

The Rampage celebrate their 10th anniversary on Saturday Night with a 7 PM (CST) contest against the Rockford Ice Hogs at the AT&T Center

Texas Stars lose 1st of 2 games in BC to Abbotsford

Thursday Night's AHL Game in Abbotsford, BC brought teams on opposite sides of the West Division Standings as the Heat continue to fight with Houston & OKC for both the West Division & Western Conference Lead in the AHL Western Conference. While Texas is looking to get out of the Western Conference Outhouse as the Stars continue to not be able to get above .500 again last night. The Stars & Heat will faceoff again tonight at 9:00 PM tonight where you can listen online on ESPN Austin.

In addition to the Texas Stars VS. Abbotsford Heat in their 2nd game of the back-to-back, the San Antonio Rampage & Houston Aeros faceoff tonight at 7:00 PM Tonight as well.

Texas Stars 3  Abbotsford Heat 5  (1-2, 2-2, 0-2)

Press Release from the Texas Stars Website

Texas Stars VS. Abbotsford Heat 12/30 Preview

From Abbotsford, B.C.: The Texas Stars (14-15-1 29 PTS) were defeated by the Abbotsford Heat (21-9-2, 44 PTS) 5-3 in front of 3,064 fans at the Abbotsford Entrainment & Sports Center on Thursday Night. Heat Goalie Danny Taylor made 42 saves and forward Krys Kolanos added 3 points in the team's third straight win over the Stars this season. Taylor stopped 16 shots in the 2nd period and all 13 in the 3rd period to improve to 11-5-0 on the season. Kolanos scored once and added two assists, as Abbotsford extended their streak to five straight games with a point on home ice. Heat forward Jon Rheault set up three goals, as his team moved to 7-4-0 against Texas all time. Forwards Stephen Schultz, Scott Glennie, & Colton Sceviour each scored, as Texas falls to 8-8-0 on the road this year. Texas Goalie Tyler Beskorowany (6-9-0) stopped 24 shots in the defeat. Texas remains in Abbotsford for a rematch with the Heat tonight on December 30 at 9:00 PM (CT).

The Stars struck first with the games opening goal at 3:59 of the 1st period. Texas rookie Scott Glennie snapped a wrist shot past goalie Danny Taylor from the right wing circle, giving the Stars a 1-0 lead. The Heat answered back with a pair of goals in less then five minutes, starting with Quintin Laing's 8th goal of the season. Forwards Kris Kolanos and defensemen Brendan Mikkelson each had an assist on the power play goal that tied the game 1-1. Kolanos would give Abbotsford a 2-1 lead at 11:35, scoring his 16th goal of the year off a wraparound. Forwards Jon Rheault & Ben Walter both picked up an assist, as the Heat carried a 2-1 lead into the 1st intermission.

In the 2nd period, the Stars pulled even with the Heat at 4:48 with a goal by Colton Sceviour. Scott Glennie set up Sceviour's 5th goal of the season, tying the game at 2-2. Abbotsford countered to re-gain the lead at 11:42, Akim Aliu scored from behind the Texas Net, banking a shot off the skate off Texas Goalie Beskorowany for his 1st goal of the year and a 3-2 Heat lead. The Stars tied the game for the third time at 14:29, as Stephen Schultz scored his 2nd goal of the year. Schultz slipped a rebound past Danny Taylor after Matt Frasier's first attempt was blocked. Travis Morin also added an assist on the play, which extended Frasier's scoring streak to 10 games. Heat defensemen Chris Breen pushed Abbotsford back into the lead in front 4-3 at 15:56 of the 2nd period. Breen lifted a shot from the left point, through traffic and past Beskorowany for his 1st goal of the year.

In the 3rd period, Heat forward Guillaume Desbiens scored his second goal of the season at 13:22 for the 5-3 Abbotsford lead. Jon Rheault set up the goal, registering his third assist of the night.

The Stars play in Abbotsford for one more game on December 30. The team will also play in San Antonio on January 6, prior to returning home on January 7 to host Rockford at 7:00 PM. The 1st 2,500 fans to the game will receive a Texas Stars Team Calender, compliments of A+ Federal Credit Union. On Saturday Night, fans may purchase the State Farm Family Four Pack, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for $48.

Individual tickets for all games are now on sale. Tickets are available on line at the Texas Stars Website or by calling 512-GO-STARS (512-467-8277).

2011-2012 Season Seat Packages are on sale now. For more info on Texas Stars Season Tickets call 512-GO-STARS (512-467-8277) or visit Texas Stars Hockey. Anyone interested season tickets, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars Front Office.

A special Video Feature by the San Antonio Rampage

One of the newest features that the San Antonio Rampage will be doing this season will give fans a chance to get to know more about the arenas that the different AHL Teams play in throughout the season.

The first feature of the new season took place a couple of weeks ago when the team was in Abbotsford, BC While playing a pair of games against the Abbotsford Heat as they take a tour of the arena and give you a better idea of what fans throughout the arena head to to support their teams.

For the Abbotsford Heat, the team makes their home at the Abbotsford Sports and Enterainment Center and the city has a population of about 125,000 which would be comparable to cities like Abline and Brownsville here in Texas.

Look for this feature to come up throughout the season and look for more arenas to be featured as the season goes on. They is also some web links to the Heat and the city to give you a better idea of what the city is like.

San Antonio Rampage Tour of the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Center

Abbotsford Heat Website

Abbotsford, BC Wikipedia Page

Abbotsford uses late comeback to beat the Aeros 3-2

Despite a strong start which included a 2-0 lead with Aeros goals by Cody Almond and Jean-Michael Daoust that looked like it would help the Aeros win the first of a two game set in BC.

But a goal by Carter Bancks in the final minute of regulation tied the game at 2-2 to force OT then a SO with goals by Gaelan Patterson and Jon Rheault put the Heat over the top in the SO as they won to get themselves in a first place tie with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the North Division.
After the Aeros finish up in BC, they will head to Illinois for a pair of games against the Peoria Rivermen on November 13 and 14 this upcoming weekend.

The win takes Houston to a record of 6-5-2 with 14 points and currently in 5th place in the West Division. For the Abbotsford Heat, they currently in 2nd place in the North Division with an 8-6-1 record and only trail the Hamilton Bulldogs on the Number of Games played as the Bulldogs have played 4 fewer games through the first month of the season.

Houston Aeros 2  Abbotsford Heat 3  (SO) (1-0, 1-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Here's the Calls of the Games from the Houston Aeros Broadcaster Joe O'Donnell

J-M Dauost makes it 2-0

Cody Almond PP Goal

Playfair on Weekend vs. the San Antonio Rampage

Kris Fredheim on being back hom in BC



Tonight's Houston VS. Abbotsford Game Preview

Game Story from the Houston Aeros Website

From Abbotsford, BC: The Houston Aeros scored twice on the Power Play and goalie Matt Hacket turned away 31 shots in regulation, but it wasn't enough as the Abbotsford Heat overcame a late deficit to edge the Aeros 3-2 in a shootout Monday Night at the Abbotsford Sports and Entrainment Center.

Abbotsford's Carter Banks forced overtime, scoring with just 34 seconds left in regulation, after the Heat pulled goalie Leland Irving for an extra attacker. The Aeros, who went 2/6 on the power play, opened a 2-0 lead on markers by Cody Almond (9:26 of the 1st Period), and Jean-Michael Daoust (13:22 of the 2nd Period). Jon Disalvatore and Marco Scandella assisted on each.

Greg Nemisz scored on the power play at 15:51 of the 2nd to pull the Heat within a goal and then assisted on Banks' tying goal.

Irving stopped 26 saves and all four Houston Saves in the Shootout to help Abbotsford (8-6-1 17 points) pull into a tie into the Hamilton Bulldogs for first place in the North Division.

Hackett, seeing his first action since October 29 against San Antonio, made 31 saves in three plus periods of hockey and stopped two of four shots in the Shootout session.

Houston is unbeaten in regulation in five games (4-0-1) and now sits one point behind third place Milwaukee with a 6-5-2 14 points in the West Division.

The Aeros and Heat square off in the second game of a two-in-a-row Tuesday Night at 9:00 PM CST. Follow the Action on 1070 KNTH and online at http://www.aeros.com/