Photo Credit: Wes Emms
1. LATE HEROICS: The Heat twice struck in the final minute of a period, killed off 1:42 of 4-on-3 power play time in overtime, and scored three times in the first four rounds of the shootout to stun the Monsters. Down 3-1 late in the second, the team escaped an ugly second period with Brett Olson’s seventh of the season, and seemed to carry some momentum into the third period. With Brust on the bench for Max Reinhart in the final minute of play it was the rookie’s shot that was tipped in by Dustin Sylvester to bring the crowd to their feet. Reinhart would later ice the game in the fourth round of the shootout.
2. DUSTIN HUSTLIN’: Sylvester potted a pair of goals in the 4-3 SO win to move his season total to eleven. After a dry December and early January, the Kelowna product has posted five goals and two assists in his last ten games. Sylvester was named first star in the game, but couldn’t score in the shootout – which remains a thorn in his side this season. Last season’s Top Rookie Award winner has gone goalless through five attempts this season.
3. HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE: The victory gives the Heat an AHL-best 17th home win this season. Yes, the Heat have played more home games than most, but the fourth-year outfit is among the top few teams in home winning percentage this season, which is stark in contrast to their play last season. Lots to cheer about tonight in the late stages for the 2,255 fans in attendance. We’ll see if they can do it again tomorrow against what should be an ornery Monsters club that has just a single win over the Heat in regulation this season through seven games.
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