OLESZ'S LATE GOAL HELPS HOGS EARN A POINT IN ABBOTSFORD

Rockford snags three of four points in Abbotsford

Abbotsford, BC-Third period comebacks aren't anything new for the Rockford IceHogs. On Saturday, a late third period goal by Rostislav Olesz forced overtime in a 4-3 OT loss to the Abbotsford Heat.

Trailing 3-2, Abbotsford took a holding penalty with 1:05 to play, putting Rockford on a power play. Ben Smith found Olesz in front of the Abbotsford net and the winger fired his second goal of the season under the cross bar and over Danny Taylor with 10-seconds left in regulation.

Rockford's AHL best power play unit finished 2-4 for the game while the Hogs took just one penalty, a season low.

In overtime, Abbotsford snagged the extra point. Sven Baertschi sprung Roman Horak on a breakaway and the winger beat Henrik Karlsson between the legs at 2:17 of the extra frame to give the Heat the win.

With Rockford pressuring in the Abbotsford zone in the second period, it was the Heat who struck first in transition. Karlsson turned away a Ben Street shot, but Ben Walter followed and knocked in the rebound for his 13th goal of the season at 11:49.

A giveaway in the Rockford zone late in the second period put the Heat up 2-0. Klas Dahlbeck's clear out attempt was picked off by Tyler Rugsegger in the slot and he fired his eighth goal of the year over the glove of Karlsson.

Rockford got on the board with a power-play goal 4:27 into the third period. Brandon Pirri picked up a loose puck in a scrum in front of Taylor and flipped his 19th goal of the season over the goalie to make it 2-1.

The Hogs then tied with another battle in front on Taylor. This time it was Smith cleaning up the loose change, sliding his 19th goal of the campaign past Taylor. Baertschi put the Heat back on top when he slapped home a perfect centering pass from Max Reinhart at 15:35 of the third.

Rockford outshot the Heat 42-26 in the contest and took three out of a possible four points in the two-game weekend set in British Columbia.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, March 27 vs. Toronto Marlies. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Dollar Days return when the Marlies make their lone visit to the Forest City in 2012-13. Fans can take advantage of $1 beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets.