HEAT LOSE OPENER

The Heat began their season on a sour note, losing 7-1 to the Toronto Marlies in their Canadian Division debut Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Luke Philp scored the lone goal for the homeside, a powerplay marker in the third period.

The Heat raced out to a 7-0 lead in shots in the opening minutes, but a pair of goals from the Marlies in a five-minute span at the midpoint of the first - netted by Scott Pooley and Kenny Agostino - gave the visitors a 2-0 edge through the game's opening frame.
Toronto then seized control of the contest with four goals in the second stanza, a shorthanded marker and powerplay tally book-ending a pair of even-strength goals to complete the period's scoring.
The teams then closed out the contest by trading goals in the third, Toronto striking first and then Philp putting the Heat on the board with 7:22 remaining, his 20th professional goal. Martin Pospisil and Colton Beck got the assists.
Tyler Gaudet and Hudson Elynuik paced the Marlies with a goal and an assist each, and netminder Andrew D'Agostini was strong throughout with 31 saves.

NOTABLES:

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Heat PP - 1-2
Heat PK - 0-2

THREE STARS:

First - Andrew D'Agostini (32 shots, 31 saves)
Second - Tyler Gaudet (1 goal, 1 assist)
Third - Hudson Elynuik (1 goal, 1 assist)

GOALIES:

W - Andrew D'Agostini (32 shots, 31 saves)
L - Dustin Wolf (11 shots, 6 saves)
ND - Garret Sparks (17 shots, 15 saves)

UP NEXT:

The Heat and Marlies will battle once again on Tuesday at 6 p.m. MST, the second game of a four-game set this week at the Saddledome.