Heat Kick off Back-To-Back Series against Ontario Tonight at 7:00 PM
March 25, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release
TONIGHT
Stockton returns to California to open up a back-to-back series against the Ontario Reign beginning tonight and rolling into tomorrow to complete the team's season long five game road trip.
Stockton is 1-2-0 in the first three games having started with a thrilling win over the Bakersfield Condors but dropping two in Manitoba.
LAST TIME VS. ONTARIO
Back on February 17th, the Stockton Heat traveled to Ontario on the heels of back-to-back wins the previous weekend over the Reign and the San Antonio Rampage respectively.
Unfortunately for the Heat, though, Ontario would come away with a big 6-1 victory on home ice, as the Heat failed to push their streak to three games.
Drew Shore scored the lone goal for the Heat on a beautiful shorthanded effort, on which he blocked a shot at the point and finished the breakaway to beat Reign goaltender Peter Budaj's shutout.
Shore's goal tied the game in the first, but the Reign would go on to score five unanswered and skate away with the clean two points.
WHO TO WATCH
Stockton's top goal scorer has been held uncharacteristically quiet in the last two games, something that hasn't occurred too oftern this year.
That's why tonight, Derek Grant will be the man to watch for the Stockton Heat. The forward has been held pointless in back-to-back games against the Manitoba Moose, which has only occurred three times this season.
The last time it occurred was back in December 10 and 12 where Grant had gone two games without a point. His longest streak without a point this season was three games from late November to early December.
Grant has one-upped every great accomplishment he has had this season. He upped his team-long five game point streak earlier in the season to a seven game streak. Then topped that seven game streak with another seven-game streak but with three additional points then the first one.
Look for the Heat's scoring ace to get back on track tonight with the game in Ontario. This season, Grant has 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games against the Reign.
HEARD HELPING WITH MORE THAN JUST ENERGY
While Mitchell Heard has been able to provide plenty of energy for the Heat this season, the centerman has recently been chipping in more offensively.
In fact, we've seen plenty of #HeardThat on Twitter during the month of March as Heard has had his best month of the season, scoring 3 goals and adding 2 assists for five points in his last seven games for the Stockton Heat.
In addition, Heard has added three fighting majors to try and help the Heat build or turn momentum in their favor. Look for No. 22 to continue to do the very same thing against Ontario tonight.
CONTRIBUTING IN CALGARY
It wasn't the prettiest of games last night for the Stockton Heat's parent club, as the Calgary Flames fell to the Minnesota Wild 6-2 in St. Paul, but a pair of Stockton Heat alums contributed on Calgary's second goal and it was a beauty.
Defenseman Jakub Nakladal scored his second goal of the season with his best Steve Yzerman impersonation, as his slapshot from the blueline on a rush went bardown over the goaltender's blocker side shoulder.
Tyler Wotherspoon, another former Heat defenseman, earned the second assist on the play for his first NHL point this season. It was his fifth-career point in the NHL (all assists).
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 .509 win-percentage while Ontario enters tonight first in the Pacific at .698.
Starting with Stockton, if the Heat can pull the victory in regulation the team can get to .517 with the two-points tonight. In the event the Heat pick up just one point the team will remain at .509 while a regulation loss would send the team back to .500.
As for Ontario, a win would get them to .703 while an extra-time loss would drop the team to .695. A loss would put the Reign at .686.
Keep an eye on the AHL's Playoff Primer updated every morning with the latest standings and magic numbers.
INTERESTING FACT
Stockton Heat forward Hunter Smith may be leading the Heat in penalty minutes, he's also been hot for the Heat, picking up points in three of his last four (1-2-3). In addition, Kenny Agostino also has points in three of his last four for the Stockton Heat (2-1-3).
Friday, March 25, 2016
Arena: Citizens Business Bank Arena
Date: March 25, 2016
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST
Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker & iHeartRadio beginning at 6:45 p.m. PST
Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: Hunter Shinkaruk & Kenny Agostino tied with 47
ONTARIO: F Sean Backman (58GP, 20-32-52)
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 Kevin Poulin puck.
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