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AHL Stockton Heat

Heat Host Ontario at Stockton Arena for Friday Night Clash

April 1, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release


TONIGHT

The Stockton Heat end their brief two-game stay at home as they host the Ontario Reign tonight at Stockton Arena.

Stockton enters tonight's game off the heels of a difficult loss to the San Diego Gulls Wednesday night, where rookie goaltender Nick Schneider shined between the pipes for the Heat in his pro debut, but could not come away with the win.

Despite already clinching their playoff birth, the Ontario Reign have not taken their remaining schedule lightly, sending top goaltender Peter Budaj to the crease game after game. However, the Reign have lost their last two outings - one of which came against the Heat.

LAST TIME VS. ONTARIO

In what was the second game of their weekend double-header just this past weekend, the Stockton Heat collected a 4-2 win over the Reign - thanks in no small part to goaltender Kevin Poulin who stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced.

Stockton completed their five-game road trip on a high note with a hot start that saw Pat Sieloff and Hunter Shinkaruk score 59 seconds apart and Drew Shore add to the Heat lead in the second.

Jonny Brodzinski and Kurtis MacDermid cut the deficit to one, but a Derek Grant empty netter (with Kevin Poulin assist) gave the Heat the 4-2 win.

WHO TO WATCH

Freddie Hamilton has been one of the top players in the Stockton lineup all season long. That fact was rewarded on March 16th when the Calgary Flames called him up and gave him a shot to prove his worth at the next level.

While the call was only on an emergency basis, Hamilton did see action in four games with the Flames and he scored a shorthanded goal to go along with a memorable assist that set up a goal for his younger brother Dougie.

Now, Hamilton has returned to the Heat hungrier than ever to earn yet another call to the big club. Wednesday night in his first game back in Stockton, Hamilton earned an assist with a nifty backhand drop pass at the top of the faceoff circle that set up Oliver Kylington's opening goal.

His 36 points this season rank second on the Heat's active roster and he is always a threat on the power play.

With no goals in his last seven AHL games, we're calling for Hamilton to break that tonight - hopefully with a power-play goal that would snap Stockton's 0-for-18 run over their last five games.

FIRST ROUNDER AND NCAA CHAMPION JOINS HEAT

Signing his entry level deal on Wednesday was 2012's 21st overall pick, Mark Jankowski joined the Stockton Heat and could make his pro debut tonight against Ontario.

Jankowski had a career year during his senior season with Providence College, leading the team with 40 points and 15 goals while establishing career highs in all offensive stats.

He finishes his time at Providence having played the tied sixth most games in team history (148). Jankowski was a teammate of Jon Gillies at Providence when the pair helped lead the Friars to the NCAA Title.

WAIT...WHAT??! THAT WAS A TEENAGER IN NET?

Jankowski won't be the first pro debut this week for Stockton, and certainly not the youngest as goalie Nick Schneider was extraordinary in his pro debut for the Stockton Heat.

The second youngest player to debut for the Heat at 18 years, 257 days old, Schneider stopped 34 of 37 in his first game against San Diego, but ultimately would fall in his first game.

Schneider appeared to settle in early in the opening frame and eventually stopped all 12 shots he faced in his first period of pro hockey. Perhaps the greatest head turner from the young goaltender, though, was his comfort with the puck and acting as a 'third defenseman" of sorts around the cage.

A positive first step in a promising young career.

HOW SWEDE IT IS

Finding his groove offensively has been Oliver Kylington for the Stockton Heat.

Kylington, who was 18 years, 148 days old in his debut back on October 10, scored his fifth goal of the season and his 11th point, picking up points in back to back games.

Kylington ranks among the team leaders in points (11) among defenseman (Aaron Johnson 18, Jakub Nakladal 14, Kenney Morrison 12, Brett Kulak 12, Oliver Kylington 11, Pat Sieloff 11).

PLAYOFF PRIMER

With the Heat in the thick of the playoff chase, we take a look at what tonight's game against the Ontario Reign can do for both teams.

Starting the day the Heat are sixth in the Pacific with a .500 points-percentage while Ontario enters Saturday as the top team in the Pacific at .680.

Starting with Stockton, if the Heat can pull the victory in regulation the team can get to .508 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 .492.

As for Ontario, a win would get them to .685 while an extra-time loss would drop the team to .677. A loss would put the Reign at .669, but they would not fall from the top of the Pacific.

Keep an eye on the AHL's Playoff Primer updated every morning with the latest standings and magic numbers.

INTERESTING FACT

Oliver Kylington's goal Wednesday night was his first tally since earning first star honors with his goal at the outdoor game at Raley Field in Sacramento on December 19th.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: April 1, 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 fans age 12 & under receive a Jon Gillies bobblehead

Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: F Kenny Agostino (57GP, 19-28-47)

ONTARIO: F Sean Backman (61GP, 21-32-53)

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 Bill Arnold puck.

Check out the Stockton Heat Statistics

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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.

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