Heat at Stockton Arena for Midweek Clash vs. Bako
December 16, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release
TONIGHT
The Stockton Heat will faceoff against the Bakersfield Condors in a game where both teams are looking to get back into the win column.
The Heat are coming off a loss in their final game in the state of Texas against the Stars, while Bakersfield is looking to earn a win following a setback against Ontario last Saturday.
LAST TIME VS. BAKERSFIELD
On November 28th the Heat took on the Condors at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. The Heat jumped out to a two-goal lead with two first-period tallies from Blair Riley and Turner Elson respectively.
Bakersfield did answer back with a goal in the first that sent their teddy bears over the glass, but Jakub Nakladal netted the eventual game-winner in the second period to polish off a 3-2 win for the Heat.
It was Nakladal's first goal in a Heat sweater, and first in North America, despite being one of the most offensively active blueliners all season long.
WHO TO WATCH
The last game in Texas was a tough loss to take against the Stars, but one of the highlights of the game was the play of forward Bryce Van Brabant.
Van Brabant earned his first multi-point game of the season, getting a helper on Pat Sieloff's first of the year and adding a goal of his own in the third period.
According to Coach Huska, Van Brabant has been one of the more consistent players in the lineup each and every night for the Heat.
Last time out in Texas, BVB was rewarded for that consistency with a two-point night and made play after play on his way to what was arguably his best all-around performance this season.
Expect to see #48 continue his steady play tonight at Stockton Arena, both on and off the scoresheet.
ORTIO PROVIDING STABILITY
Goaltender Joni Ortio has continued his theme of steady play between the pipes and has stabilized the crease for the Heat.
He has started every game since being assigned from Calgary and, despite a couple admittedly unsatisfactory stat lines, Ortio has consistently made first and second saves in his starts.
On multiple occasions, Ortio's teammates have lamented their own play in front of their goaltender while praising what Ortio did in net on any given night.
Ortio has picked up his AHL career right where it left off, as one of the best goaltender's in the league.
The key for the Heat now is providing a more stable unit in front of their netminder and clearing out second chances when Ortio makes that first save.
STAYING FOCUSED
With the outdoor game at Raley Field rapidly approaching, it's easy to overlook tonight's matchup with Bakersfield.
Coach Huska stressed the importance of staying focused on the task at hand here tonight in his media scrum yesterday, stating that we're battling for four points the next two games against a good team and if our heads are anywhere but on that, we'll be in trouble.
After speaking with some of the players as well, it seems that they are all on the same page with that mantra.
There are a big two points on the line tonight between these two teams and the Stockton Heat at least are focused solely on that heading into this game.
INTERESTING FACT
Bill Arnold has tied the Heat's longest point streak this season in the last game with an assist, bringing his streak to three-straight games with a point. The only other player who's accomplished that feat this season has been Drew Shore, who's actually done this twice.
Arnold has a goal and 2 assists in his last three games and looks to forge the longest points streak by a player in a Heat uniform with his fourth game in-a-row tonight!
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Arena: Stockton Arena
Date: December 16, 2015
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST (Doors at 6:00 p.m.)
Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker & iHeartRadio beginning at 6:45 p.m. PST
Giveaway: Oversized Turner Elson trading card to the first 1,000 fans
Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: F Freddie Hamilton (19GP, 6-8-14)
BAKERSFIELD: D Brad Hunt (22GP, 4-15-19)
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 Colton Orr puck.
American Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2015
- Rampage Open Road Trip with 5-1 Loss to Moose - San Antonio Rampage
- Griffins Set Franchise Record with 12th Straight Win, Hold off Monsters 3-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Penguins Pitch Franchise-Record Third-Straight Shutout in 3-0 Win - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Military Appreciation Night Draws Sellout Crowd at PPL Center - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Comets Beat Amerks 5-2 - Utica Comets
- Monsters Battle, Fall to Streaking Griffins 3-2 - Cleveland Monsters
- Binghamton's Last Second Flurry Not Enough - Binghamton Senators
- Toronto Marlies Post Game Notes - Toronto Marlies
- Falcons Fall Behind Early, Lose to Pirates - Springfield Falcons
- McCarron, Pasquale Star in IceCaps Win - St. John's IceCaps
- Albany Devils Downed by St. John's IceCaps - Albany Devils
- Syracuse Crunch Weekly - Syracuse Crunch
- Blue Jackets Add Falk on Emergency Recall - Cleveland Monsters
- Syracuse Crunch to Hold Ugly Sweater Night December 19 - Syracuse Crunch
- Tampa Bay Lightning Reassign Brian Hart to Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Will the Barracuda Play Naughty Or Nice this Weekend Before Holiday Break? - San Jose Barracuda
- Rampage Recall D Gabriel Beaupre - San Antonio Rampage
- Heat at Stockton Arena for Midweek Clash vs. Bako - Stockton Heat
- Chicago Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign Celebrate the Holiday Season - Ontario Reign
- San Jose Barracuda Host Online Ugly Sweater Jersey Auction to Benefit the San Jose Jr Sharks - San Jose Barracuda
- Winter Wonderland 2015 this Weekend - Bridgeport Islanders
- Jets Assign Lowry to Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Rolls with the Changes and Wins Three Straight - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Admirals Honored with Best New Logo for 2015 - Milwaukee Admirals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
