AHL Stockton Heat

Heat and Reign Put Win Streaks on the Line in Stockton Tonight at 7:00 p.m.

Published on January 27, 2016 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release


TONIGHT

The Stockton Heat will try to carry the momentum of three-game winning streak into tonight's tilt against the Pacific Division leading Ontario Reign.

Stockton has not only won their last three games, but have also won their last five at Stockton Arena.

Ontario also brings a four-game winning streak into Stockton tonight, but are just 2-2-0-0 in their last four road games and have only played four of their last 18 away from Ontario.

LAST TIME VS. ONTARIO

In a game that the Heat would just as soon forget, Stockton suffered a setback in Ontario back on January 8th by a score of 6-1.

Drew Shore scored a sneaky goal that fans, broadcasters, officials, and just about everyone other than himself missed initially for the lone tally for the Heat, but that goal only brought the Heat within two of the Reign. Three unanswered in the third led to the Ontario win.

WHO TO WATCH

It has been a difficult month for forward Drew Shore. First he returned from a brief stay on the injured list with three points in his first two games back.

However, he has gone five games without a point since - the longest pointless stretch of his entire AHL career.

To say that Shore is "due" for a point or two would certainly be fair, but it's the way he has been all around the cage lately that makes his streak so surprising. Shore is a constant presence in the offensive zone, pressuring opposing defenders and goaltenders on every shift. He just hasn't found been able to find the twine.

Watch out for Shore tonight, as he'll Shore-ly be on the hunt for points to build his confidence back up.

HAMILTON BACK TO HIS OLD WAYS

Not much has been made of the way Freddie Hamilton has been playing recently - thanks in part to what Kevin Poulin has done in net and what Derek Grant has done on the scoreboard.

However, the elder of Calgary's Hamilton boys has been playing some of his best two-way hockey of the season and it has shown on more than just the scoreboard.

Yes, on back-to-back nights this past weekend he made a remarkable play to free a teammate on a breakaway that led to goals - the first on his outlet spot-pass for Poirier on Friday and his second on an unselfish blocked shot at the point that kicked out to Hathaway for his shorthanded tally.

Away from the scoresheet, Hamilton continues to be one of the better centermen on Stockton's roster when it comes to winning draws and he has been a consistent contributor on the penalty kill of late as well.

If a midseason MVP award were rewarded on the Heat's roster, Hamilton would have to be in that conversation.

GRANT STILL HOT

While his point streak did come to an unfortunate end last Friday against Manitoba - scoring the shootout winner, which does not count as a point on the stat sheet - Grant rebounded with a pair of assists on Saturday and got right back to his multi-point-scoring ways.

It was his 10th multi-point game this season and it gave him 22 points in his last 15 games. Since December 16th, Grant has been held without a point just twice - TWICE! The guy has simply been on a tear of late.

It is interesting to note that one of those two teams to hold him without a point during this stretch was in fact Ontario on December 29th, but Grant has earned an assist in each of the following two games against the Reign since.

The big, offensively rolling centerman has proven difficult to maintain defensively - even for the top defensive team in the Pacific. Ontario will again have their hands full with Grant tonight.

INTERESTING FACT

In honor of Joni Ortio oversized card night, we'll stick with the goalie for our interesting fact. Should he get the start and power the Heat past the Reign tonight, Ortio would tie Dwayne Roloson for seventh on Calgary's All-Time Top Affiliate wins list with 58.

Roloson suited up for the Saint John Flames of the AHL from 1994 to 1997.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: January 27, 2016

Time: 7:00 p.m. PST (Doors at 6:00 p.m. PST)

Giveaway: First 1,000 fans receive an oversized Joni Ortio trading card

Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker & iHeartRadio beginning at 6:45 p.m. PST

Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: F Derek Grant (26GP, 17-13-30)

ONTARIO: F Sean Backman (37GP, 10-21-31)

For the live, in-game tweets, follow @AHLHeatPR. Stay tuned at the end of the game for the Chase Chevrolet Big Moment of the Game with your chance to win an autographed Dustin Stevenson puck.

Check out the Stockton Heat Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2016


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