Heat Host High Powered Stars Tonight to Kick off Back-To-Back Series this Weekend
March 11, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release
TONIGHT
After suffering their second loss in their last 14 home games at Stockton Arena, the Heat host the Texas Stars for a pair of weekend games with hopes of two big wins over the second placed Pacific Division team.
The Heat own a 3-1-0-0 record against Texas this season, ensuring they can do no worse than splitting the season series with the final two games this weekend.
LAST TIME VS. TEXAS
The teams met for the first game of 2016 as Texas stormed to a 3-1 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, and held off the Heat, heading into the dressing rooms after 40 minutes up 6-4.
However, the Heat did something they had not done all season long, tie the game in the third (it took only 3:20 into the third to tie it to boot) and win the game, completing the comeback in the fifth round of the shootout thanks to Turner Elson in a 7-6 come-from-behind win.
Unfortunately for the Heat, it still stands as the only win for the team when trailing after 40 minutes of play this year.
WHO TO WATCH
With the absence of Kenny Agostino, there will be more focus on the Heat offense than ever as they'll be missing two of their top offensive threats in Agostino (call up) and Derek Grant (injury). However there's a third person who's picked up a ton of points this season.
The de facto team leader in points and goals without Agostino or Grant in the lineup becomes Hunter Shinkaruk, who's played 6 games for the Heat since coming over in a NHL trade that saw the Flames swap Markus Granlund to the Vancouver Canucks for the 24th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
It's taken some time for Shinkaruk to adjust to new systems and new teammates but even during a brief adjustment period, Shinkaruk has scored twice and added an assist, however all of these points have come on the road.
Look for Shinkaruk to have a breakout game at home and help lead the Heat against the high-powered Stars tonight.
PLAYING THE STARS
The Heat and Stars play their final two meetings of the season back-to-back starting tonight and carrying into Sunday.
While the teams have played to the extremes, a 1-0 win for the Heat back on October 21 to a 7-6 shootout win for the Heat on January 2, the series has been relatively even matched.
In four meetings this season, the Heat have narrowly outscored the Stars 15-14 but hold a 3-1-0-0 series lead over the Stars. While the Heat's struggles on the road have been well documented, the team won two of three in Cedar Park back in 2015.
Both teams have just two wins in their last five games, however Texas has fallen twice in overtime in that span. Despite the difference in record, look for a tough match-up for both teams tonight at Stockton Arena.
AGOSTINO GETS THE CALL
Kenny Agostino has just as many points (21) in his last 20 games as he had in his first 30 games in the AHL and is just one point away from tying his career high established in his rookie season last year with 43 points.
However, that personal milestone will have to wait however as Agostino heads to Calgary this morning to join the Flames on an emergency recall. He, along with Tyler Wotherspoon, are currently recalled to the big club on emergency basis.
Agostino is expected in the lineup today for the Flames as they host the Arizona Coyotes. It appears that Agostino, who's playing in his first NHL game since April 11, 2014. In 8 games played with the Flames, Agostino has a goal and an assist.
He joins Markus Granlund, Jakub Nakladal, Karri Ramo, Joni Ortio, Garnet Hathaway and Tyler Wotherspoon as players who've received the call to the Calgary Flames from the Stockton Heat this season.
PLAYOFF PRIMER
With the Heat in the thick of the playoff chase, we take a look at what tonight's game against the San Jose Barracuda can do for both teams.
Starting the day the Heat are sixth in the Pacific with a .500 win-percentage while San Jose enters today second in the Pacific at .613.
Starting with Stockton, if the Heat can pull the victory in regulation the team can get to .509 with the two-points tonight. In the event the Heat pick up just one point the team will remain at .500 while a regulation loss would send the team back to .490.
As for Texas, a win would get them to .619 while an extra-time loss would drop the team at .611. A loss would put the Barracuda at .603, but they would not fall from second in the Pacific.
Keep an eye on the AHL's Playoff Primer updated every morning with the latest standings and magic numbers.
INTERESTING FACT
If he suits up tonight, Bryce Van Brabant will be playing in his 100th career AHL game.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Arena: Stockton Arena
Date: March 11, 2016
Time: 7:30 p.m. PST (Doors at 6:30 p.m.)
Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker & iHeartRadio beginning at 7:15 p.m. PST
Giveaway: First 500 kids 12-years-old and younger will receive a Heat Metal Lunchbox
Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: F Hunter Shinkaruk (51GP, 23-19-42)
TEXAS: F Travis Morin (54GP, 15-32-47)
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 Joni Ortio puck.
American Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2016
- Heat Outlast Stars in 2-1 Goaltending Duel McKenzie, Dowling Extend Point Streaks for Texas - Texas Stars
- Condors Gain Point in Overtime Loss to San Diego, 6-5 - Bakersfield Condors
- Admirals Have Wild First Period in Win - Milwaukee Admirals
- San Antonio Falls to Lake Erie 3-2 - San Antonio Rampage
- Tangradi's Five Points Lead Griffins to Ninth Straight Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Monsters Rally for 3-2 Win over Rampage - Cleveland Monsters
- Amerks Down Comets for Fifth Straight Win at Home - Rochester Americans
- Crunch Tame Sound Tigers, 5-2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Toronto Marlies Post Game Notes - Toronto Marlies
- Wolf Pack Wins in Shootout after Blowing Late Lead - Hartford Wolf Pack
- First Period Dooms Wild in 4-2 Loss - Iowa Wild
- B-Sens Fall 3-2 in Overtime - Binghamton Senators
- Bridgeport falls in final game with Syracuse - Bridgeport Islanders
- Providence Extends Home Point Streak, Falls in Shootout 3-2 - Providence Bruins
- From Near Collapse to Sudden Victory, Devils Down Senators - Albany Devils
- Manitoba Moose Post-Game Report - Manitoba at Grand Rapids - March 11 - Manitoba Moose
- Comets Upended by Amerks - Utica Comets
- Amerks and Perry's Ice Cream Team up for "Players Pick Perry's" Sweepstakes - Rochester Americans
- Wolves' St. Patrick's Day Jersey Fundraiser Features Golden Ticket Raffle - Chicago Wolves
- Moose Announce Roster Moves - Manitoba Moose
- Heat Host High Powered Stars Tonight to Kick off Back-To-Back Series this Weekend - Stockton Heat
- Tampa Bay Lightning Reassign Defenseman Slater Koekkoek to Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Minnesota Wild Recalls Jordan Schroeder from Iowa; Goaltender Steve Michalek Reassigned to Iowa - Iowa Wild
- Flames Recall Kenny Agostino from Stockton - Stockton Heat
- Pirates Recall Brown from Manchester - Portland Pirates
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