Rheault sends Heat past Amerks in OT

Evgeny Dadonov forced overtime with just 1:17 left on the clock, but it was Jon Rheault’s goal just over a minute into the extra frame that lifted the Abbotsford Heat to a 4-3 win over the Rochester Americans at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre on Monday night.

John Armstrong and Gaelan Patterson each scored first-period goals just under two minutes apart to stake the Heat out to 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Rochester’s Mike Duco and Kenndal McArdle would respond for the Amerks, each with their third straight goal in as many games to level the game at two apiece.

Patterson broke a 2-2 tie midway through the final frame with his second goal of the night, but the Amerks managed to rally once again from behind as Dadonov potted his second of the season in the closing minutes of the contests.

Rheault would spoil Rochester’s comeback hopes with his second of the campaign just 1:16 into overtime to give the Heat their third win in their last four games.

First-year netminder Jacob Markstrom finished with 30 saves in his eighth straight start between the pipes. Abbotsford’s Leland Irving earned the win in net with 18 saves on the night.