Desbiens with a goal and an assist to lead the Monsters over the Heat

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - Scoring in his return to Abbotsford was nice for Guillaume Desbiens, but playing on a line with Joey Hishon was the real treat.

Desbiens scored an insurance goal and assisted on the game's winner as the Lake Erie Monsters defeated the Abbotsford Heat 3-1 in American Hockey League action Saturday.

"It's always fun coming back," said the 28-year-old veteran who played the 2011-12 season for the Calgary Flames' affiliate.

"I loved my time out here. I have nothing but good things to say about Abbotsford. Obviously there's not that many guys left from my time here but there are still a few familiar faces and any time you get a goal against your old team it's fun to put it in their face a little bit."

Desbiens' linemate Hishon scored the game winner, giving Hishon goals in back-to-back games and three points in his first three games since returning from a pre-season groin injury. He also missed time in the past with concussion issues.

"I've been off for extended periods of time multiple times so to be back playing again is very exciting," said Hishon. "Last night, to score in a loss, isn't really what you want, but tonight it was huge for us."

Hishon, the Colorado Avalanche's 2010 first-round draft choice, brings offensive flair to the AHL affiliate that was missing earlier this year.

"It's easy to play with him," said Desbiens. "He puts the puck on your tape and he's always in a good position. It makes it a lot easier when you play with him. He hasn't played a whole lot in the last couple years so it's impressive to see what he can do even though he hasn't had a whole lot of playing time. It's nice to have him back because he has a skill set that nobody on our team has."

Hishon's goal came just 68 seconds after Michael Sgarbossa tied the game for Lake Erie (4-4-0). Mark Olver had assists on all three goals, including starting the play on winner.

"My linemates made an unbelievable play there," said Hishon. "Olver made a one-touch pass to Desbiens and he made a one-touch pass to me. It was a real nice tic-tac-toe goal. I didn't really do anything — I just drove to the net and it hit my stick and went in."

Monsters' goaltender Calvin Pickard made 23 saves in the win.

Corban Knight scored for Abbotsford (4-4-1). Reto Berra stopped 24 shots in the loss.

Knight opened the scoring midway through the first. Ben Street's point shot was stopped, but Knight banked home the rebound from a sharp angle.

"Streeter got a shot on net, and it was kind of a loose puck there and the goalie was kind of cheating off his post," said Knight. "I thought I'd try to bank it off him, and it was kind of lucky it worked out."

However, Sgarbossa tied the game when he one-timed a cross-ice feed from Andrew Agozzino from the top of the right face-off circle while on the power play.

Hishon then put the Monsters ahead at 4:56 of the second.

Desbiens gave the Monsters a two-goal cushion at 4:55 of the third when he was sent in on a breakaway by Mikael Tam.

"Last night started great but in the second it just wasn't there and we had some brain farts," said Desbiens of Friday's 4-2 loss to the Heat.

"Tonight the second period was OK, it wasn't great but was better, but came really strong in the third. When you have a lead that's what you have to do — stay on your toes and attack."

Abbotsford didn't have the jump they had Friday night, failing to produce any sustained pressure and minimal scoring chances.

"We have a ton of skill in that dressing room, but skill's nothing if you're never in the offensive zone," said Abbotsford alternate captain Carter Bancks. "Tonight we weren't able to stay over pucks as well, we weren't able to get cycles going."