Elliott scores twice to lead the Monsters over the Heat

CLEVELAND - Stefan Elliott scored two goals, including the game-winner in the third period, to lift the Lake Erie Monsters to a 3-2 victory over the Abbotsford Heat in American Hockey League action on Saturday.

Brad Malone had the other goal for the Monsters (1-1-0), while Elliott chipped in an assist for a three-point night and the game's first star. Bryan Lerg also had two assists.

Corban Knight and Max Reinhart scored for the Heat (1-1-0), who opened their season Friday with a 5-2 win over the Monsters in Cleveland.

Calvin Pickard made 29 saves for the win as Reto Berra allowed three goals on 33 shots in defeat.

Knight put Abbotsford on the board 31 seconds into the opening period.

The lead didn't last long, however, as Elliott responded at 6:29 with a power-play goal and Malone added another goal while up a man to give Lake Erie a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Reinhart evened the score at 12:54 of the second period and the game stayed 2-2 until Elliot put away the eventual winner at 10:08 of the third.

Lake Erie went 2 for 7 on the power play while Abbotsford failed to score on eight chances with the man advantage