Heat Host San Diego for Midweek Clash at Stockton Arena
February 24, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release
TONIGHT
The Stockton Heat host the San Diego Gulls at Stockton Arena for the first time since December 5th when the Heat beat the Gulls 4-2.
Stockton enters tonight's contest on the heels of their first home loss of 2016, putting an end to their 10-game winning streak at Stockton Arena.
San Diego has played well recently, winning four out of their last five games including wins over Bakersfield and Ontario this past weekend.
LAST TIME VS. SAN DIEGO
On February 5th, Stockton and San Diego squared off at the Valley View Casino Center in what would become a knock down, drag out kind of game in which the Gulls came out on top by a score of 4-2.
San Diego did a nice job all night of clogging the ice and not allowing the Heat to use their speed to create chances.
One positive that came from that game, though, was that Derek Grant scored his 22nd goal of the season, surpassing his career-high of 21 goals. He set that mark with 44 less games played than his previous high and he now sits with 23 goals on the season, but is still out indefinitely with a broken jaw.
WHO TO WATCH
Well with the big news dropping midday Monday, is there any doubt that the player to watch in tonight's contest is the newest member of the Stockton Heat Hunter Shinkaruk?
Shinkaruk joins the Heat as the team's de facto top scorer with 21 goals and 39 points, putting him one ahead of Derek Grant for the team-lead.
After speaking with the players and coaching staff about the 21-year-old forward, it's clear that Shinkaruk brings an element of creativity to the Heat lineup that has not consistently been there throughout the season.
His style compliments players like Drew Shore who can set up anyone, Bryce Van Brabant who can work the front of the net or corners, or even Emile Poirier who can skate like the wind. Bottom line is that Shinkaruk can fit anywhere in the Heat lineup and provide a spark, especially on the offensive end.
The 2013 first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks gives Stockton three players selected that year in the first round, joining Poirier (22nd) and Morgan Klimchuk (28th).
There is no doubt that Shinkaruk will fit right in to Stockton's lineup and make an immediate impact, beginning tonight with his first-ever matchup against the San Diego Gulls.
HATH, HAMI & AGO STAY HOT
When trying to explain the season that the line of Garnet Hathaway, Freddie Hamilton and Kenny Agostino have had, coach Huska perhaps said it best following Sunday's game against San Jose - "It's obvious they enjoy playing together."
The line has been broken up and put back together a few times this season thanks to call-ups, injuries or other issues, but for the past little stretch of games they have been Stockton's most threatening line by far.
Over the last four games they have scored a combined 8 goals and 11 assists between the three of them. For comparison, as a team the Heat have 13 goals total in their last four games.
Both Hamilton and Agostino have 7 points (4g, 3a) each, while Hathaway has taken over the playmaker role with 5 assists.
As far as line combinations are concerned, their's has been the most consistent in Stockton's lineup and they have shown an impressive ability to create offense together each and every night.
For Stockton to get back to their winning ways here at home, that line will need to continue to show up and produce - something they've shown no signs of slowing down with.
HEAT HOME STREAK ENDS AT 10
For the first time since December 29, Stockton fell at home last Sunday to the San Jose Barracuda.
During the 10-game home winning streak the Heat averaged 4.1 goals while allowing just 1.90 goals and have outshot opponents by a little over 8 shots per game. The special teams was also better, scoring 30.8% on the PP (12-39) and killing off 91.4% of penalties (32-35).
Stockton had allowed two or fewer goals in all but two games of the streak, beating Texas to start the streak 7-6 in the shootout and their most recent win over San Jose on Saturday before falling 4-1 to San Jose on Sunday. It is tied for the third longest such streak in the AHL this season.
INTERESTING FACT
The newest member of the Heat, Hunter Shinkaruk, has registered at least a point in seven of his last 10 games played for the Utica Comets. He's expected to make his Heat debut tonight.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Arena: Stockton Arena
Date: February 24, 2016
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST (Doors at 6:00 p.m. PST)
Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker, iHeartRadio & Sportsnet 960 The Fan in Calgary beginning at 6:45 p.m. PST
Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: F Hunter Shinkaruk (45GP, 21-18-39)
SAN DIEGO: D Brandon Montour (47GP, 9-30-39)
Giveaway: First 1000 fans receive an Oliver Kylington oversized trading card
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 Bryce Van Brabant puck.
American Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2016
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