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AHL Stockton Heat

Heat Look to Push Unbeaten Streak to Five in Manitoba

March 21, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release


TONIGHT

Fresh off a come-from-behind, overtime win over the Bakersfield Condors to start a five-game road trip, the Stockton Heat travel to Winnipeg, Manitoba to take on the Manitoba Moose today and again on Wednesday. The teams have met up twice this season, both resulting in overtime wins for the Stockton Heat back in January

LAST TIME VS. MANITOBA

After Stockton took down the Moose in overtime on Jan. 22, the pair went at it again for the Heat's teddy bear toss. While Manitoba scored scored first it'd be Kenny Agostino and Garnet Hathaway who'd score in the second to take the lead, only to see Manitoba tie the game in the third.

However 35 seconds in, Aaron Johnson got a stretch pass from Derek Grant and beat Jussi Olkinuora for the game winner. Kevin Poulin got the secondary assist, the first assist for a goaltender in Heat team history.

WHO TO WATCH

The Heat have fortunately got a little healthier recently and on Saturday's game in Bakersfield, saw rookie defenseman Oliver Kylington return to action after missing 16 games with an upper body injury. As with any return, the Coaching staff looked to manage the minutes in the return but losing Dustin Stevenson midway through the game saw the Heat defender play a lot through the second half of the game.

While he was held scoreless, he was one of two defenders (Kenney Morrison being the other) who finished the game on the plus side of things with a plus-1 rating.

We can assume his role will be extended today and we expect a big game from the second round Swede in last season's NHL Entry Draft.

SHINKARUK'S TOP GAME FOR THE HEAT

Hunter Shinkaruk had his best game as a member of the Stockton Heat on Saturday in Bakersfield, scoring 2 goals, including the overtime game winner, and added a beautiful power-play assist on Derek Grant's goal to open the scoring for the Heat.

Playing in his 10th game with Stockton and 55th game overall, Shinkaruk's three-point night was his second multi-point night as a member of the Heat, and gives him points and assists in his last three games.

While it's taken some time to adjust, Shinkaruk seems to be finding some chemistry with centerman Derek Grant and is playing some of his best hockey since the trade.

Look for him to be an impact player for Stockton through the rest of the road trip.

PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF

Derek Grant returned last week after missing 14 games due to that jaw injury sustained on a practice day in early February.

Grant has been extraordinary for the Heat this season, scoring a team high 26 goals to go along with 17 assists and a total of 43 points in just 32 games for the Heat this season.

Plenty to talk about with the forward as he has goals in his last six games (9G which is a Heat team record) and points in his last seven games (9-6-15) which ties personal best and Heat team record setting seven game point streak that saw Grant notch 6 goals and 6 assists from December 31 to January 17.

Not only that but Grant has been heating up on the road as well, recording goals in each of his last four road games (Jan. 17, Feb. 5, Feb. 6 and Mar. 19), a streak that is tied for second longest in the league, and has points (17) in his last 10 road games dating back to December 20, which is tied for the second longest such streak in the AHL this season, one short of Toronto's William Nylander who scored 17 points in 11 games.

COMEBACK KIDS

For the first time this season, the Stockton Heat came back after heading into the third period down in a game, scoring 3 goals in the final 20 minutes during Saturday's win over the Condors, completing the comeback for the Heat.

Prior to Saturday's game, the Heat had lost 15 games on the road when trailing after two periods and had taken teams to overtime twice, losing on both occasions in the shootout.

It was just the second time this season the Heat came back after being down after 40 minutes and their 8th win on the road this season which ties them with Springfield and Manitoba for the fewest wins away from home in the AHL this season.

However the Heat have now won back-to-back road games for the first time this season heading into game number two of five on this season long roadie.

PLAYOFF PRIMER

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

Starting the day the Heat are sixth in the Pacific with a .527 win-percentage while Manitoba enters Saturday, eighth in the Central at .367.

Starting with Stockton, if the Heat can pull the victory in regulation the team can get to .536 with the two-points tonight. In the event the Heat pick up just one point the team will stay at .527 while a regulation loss would send the team back to .518.

As for Manitoba, a win would get them to .377 while an extra-time loss would pull the team to .369. A loss would put the Moose at .362.

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

INTERESTING FACT

If Stockton were to pick up a point in tonight's game, the Heat would have points in their last five games, tying themselves for the longest such streak this season. Stockton won five games in a row from January 17 to January 30. During that span, the Heat beat the Manitoba Moose twice but needed overtime on both occasions.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Arena: MTS Centre

Date: March 21, 2016

Time: 5:00 p.m. PST

Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker, iHeartRadio beginning at 4:45 p.m. PST

Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: F Hunter Shinkaruk (55GP, 25-22-47)

MANITOBA: D Brenden Kichton (60GP, 7-24-31)

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.

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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