Sylvester has winner for Abbotsford Heat in 4-1 victory over Chicago Wolves

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Dustin Sylvester scored the winning goal as the Abbotsford Heat defeated the Chicago Wolves 4-1 in American Hockey League action Saturday.

The goal snapped a 1-1 tie at 8:44 of the third period. Sylvester began the play by centring the puck to Ben Walter in the low slot. Walter spun around and fired it towards the net where Sylvester tipped it by goalie Eddie Lack for his second of the season. Linemate Sven Baertschi earned the second assist.

Baertschi and Roman Horak added insurance goals for Abbotsford (3-0-1) after Carter Bancks got the Heat on the board in the second period.

Zack Kassian was the lone scorer as Chicago (4-1-0) suffered its first loss of the young season in front of a rare sellout crowd of 7,046 fans.

Kassian extended his goal-scoring streak to three games, while Lack stopped 37 shots in the loss.

The Wolves’ NHL affiliate the Vancouver Canucks are just down the road from Abbotsford, and are often a good draw at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

Barry Brust made 25 saves for the Heat in his first start for the club after signing in the off season.

Chicago opened the scoring nine minutes into the game when Yann Sauve caused a turnover along the boards. Kassian picked up the loose puck, skated untouched into the slot and wired a shot blocker side.

The Heat had a few scoring chances early in the second period to build some momentum but it a giveaway by Lack led to the tying goal at 5:10.

The Swedish netminder came out of his net to play a puck but cleared the puck right to the Heat’s Adam Estoclet at the blue line. Estoclet waited Bancks to get open at the side of the net and the Marysville, B.C., native spun around slide the puck past a sprawling defenceman.

After Sylvester’s goal gave the Heat the lead Baertschi made it 3-1 at 12:44. T.J. Brodie’s point shot missed wide but Walter directed it to Baertschi in the slot and the Swiss star one-timed it top shelf for his third of the season.

Horak scored a power-play goal at 14:27, from Quintin Laing and Steve McCarthy, giving the Czech winger four goals on the season.