Wolves fall to Heat 3-2

The Chicago Wolves tied the score at 2-2 halfway through the third period, but the Abbotsford Heat bagged the game-winning goal 24 seconds later to earn a 3-2 victory over the Wolves on Saturday night at the Allstate Arena.

Left wing Darren Archibald and defenseman Zach Miskovic scored goals for Chicago (13-11-3-1), which has dropped three straight after a four-game winning streak.

“You never want to give up a goal the shift after you score, but we got caught watching the puck,” Wolves coach Scott Arniel said. “We had opportunities after, but we couldn’t get another in the back of the net.”

With the score 2-1 in favor of Abbotsford (16-8-3-3) after 40 minutes of play, the Wolves knotted the score at 2-2 with Miskovic’s blast from the top of the far circle that beat screened Heat goalie Danny Taylor at 11:54 of the third period.

Chicago’s tie was short-lived as the Heat regained the lead 24 seconds later. Kolanos controlled the puck behind the Wolves’ net and sent a backhand pass through the crease, and center Paul Bryon deposited a shot past an outstretched Wolves goaltender Matt Climie.

Abbotsford opened the scoring when center Brett Olson’s shot from the near circle hit off Climie’s glove and forward Ben Street corraled the rebound in the crease and tucked the puck over the goal line at 9:25 of the second period.

The Heat doubled its lead 1:55 later when center Ben Walter sent a shot that was blocked by a Wolves defenseman. But the puck bounced to Kolanos and he walked into the slot and slipped a shot through the five-hole of Climie.

Climie (6-10-0), who started for the 11th game in a row, stopped 24 of 27 shots.

The Wolves drew within 2-1 when right wing Zack Kassian zipped a pass across the crease to Archibald, who tapped home the puck between the post and Taylor’s pads at 16:01 of the second period.

Taylor (6-6-1) stopped 25 shots to earn the win.

The Wolves and Heat face off in a rematch at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Allstate Arena.