Reilly Smith, Cody Eakin help Texas Stars defeat Abbotsford Heat 3-1

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Reilly Smith and Cody Eakin each had a goal and an assist to lead the Texas Stars to a 3-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat in American Hockey League action Friday.

Taylor Vause also scored for the Stars (13-8-3), who are now 4-0-1 in the past five and on a 7-1-1 run, while Cristopher Nilstorp stopped 20 shots.

Brady Lamb had the lone goal for Abbotsford (14-4-6), while Danny Taylor made 23 saves in net.

The Stars opened the scoring at the five-minute mark, taking advantage of an untimely penalty by Abbotsford’s Zack McKelvie. After Toby Petersen was stopped on a partial breakaway McKelvie engaged in a scrum and came out with an extra two minutes for roughing.

Just 25 seconds in Smith converted Eakin’s rebound, with Tomas Vincour picking up a helper as well.

The Heat were being outshot 13-0 at one point in the second period but tied the game at 12:52. T.J. Brodie took the puck down low and centred for Ben Walter. Though Nilstorp kicked out his one-timer attempt the puck made its way to the point where Lamb teed up a slapshot top corner for his first professional goal.

The Stars regained the lead at 16:21. Mike Hedden took the puck to the net and though Taylor stuffed his shot, Vause raced in to lift the puck over the goalie’s blocker.

Vause just signed his second consecutive tryout contract with the Stars on Wednesday, going goalless in his first nine games.

Texas doubled their lead at 18:20. Alex Chiasson wheeled his way to the high slot and backhanded a shot on net that was deflected in by Eakin.

Texas then killed off back-to-back power plays late in the third period to seal the victory.