Cannone, Wolves Burn Heat 7-2

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. --- Propelled by center Pat Cannone's first professional hat trick, the Chicago Wolves controlled the Abbotsford Heat 7-2 on Saturday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre.

Left wing Eric Selleck (G, A) also added two points and was joined in the scoring column by right wing Michael Davies, center Adam Cracknell, and defenseman Joe Corvo in the victory. Goaltender Jake Allen made 28 saves to regain sole possession of first place in league wins as he improved to 26-13-2.

The Wolves (34-18-4-2) started off strong with Cracknell's game-opening marker at 11:14. Defenseman Brent Regner threaded a pass across the blue line to Taylor Chorney, who moved in and wristed a shot from just above the faceoff circle. Cracknell cut to the front of the net and redirected it past Heat goaltender Olivier Roy for the 1-0 lead.

Less than three minutes later, Chicago increased its lead over Abbotsford (33-20-5-2) as Davies buried it on a breakaway. Right wing Shane Harper sprung the forward with a breakout pass and Davies beat Roy glove-side at 13:49.

The Heat wasted no time in the second period as they cut their deficit in half 29 seconds into the frame. Center Brett Olson received a long pass from defenseman Kane Lafranchise and sent a shot to the top corner above Allen's glove.

Chicago quickly recovered to regain a three-goal lead on the power play and then extended it to a four-goal cushion later in the period. Corvo, playing in his first game with the Wolves since 2005, potted the eventual game-winning tally on the man-advantage at 13:42 as he beat a screened Roy with a top-shelf shot.

Shortly after, Selleck broke out of the penalty box, caused a turnover, and helped set up a tic-tac-toe passing play between right wing Tyler Shattock and Cannone in front of the net for the 4-1 lead and Selleck's first point in a Wolves uniform.

Selleck then collected a goal of his own in the third period as he picked up his own rebound off a strong move toward the net to roof a shot over Roy (6-6-1). After making 28 saves on 33 shots, Roy was pulled for Aaron Dell at 48:58.

Forward Ben Street tallied for Abbotsford at 10:45, but Cannone answered with goals at 13:28 and 14:10 to complete the hat trick and seal the Wolves win. Dell finished with six saves.

Chicago Wolves