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AHL Stockton Heat

Heat Open up Home-And-Home Series with Bakersfield at Stockton Arena

November 27, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release


Friday, November 27, 2015

Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: November 27, 2015

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: Pat Sieloff oversized trading card to the first 1,000 fans

Active Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: Two tied with 8 (Hamilton & Agostino)

BAKERSFIELD: D Brad Hunt (16GP, 4-8-12)

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 Freddie Hamilton puck.

TONIGHT

The Stockton Heat look to bounce back from their Wednesday night setback in Ontario, where they were unable to earn a point for the first time since November 7. The Heat open up a home-and-home series against the Bakersfield Condors at home tonight before heading to Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield tomorrow night.

SHOP BLACK FRIDAY WITH THE HEAT

Here's your chance to pick up Stockton Heat gear at the in-store location at the best prices of the season! 25% off all headwear and T-shirts along with a few other in-store surprises.

As an added bonus, receive half price tickets to tonight's game at 7:30pm with any in-store merchandise purchase prior to 6:00pm.

This offer not available online. The team store at Stockton Arena will open at noon today. Learn more by clicking here.

LAST TIME VS. BAKERSFIELD

Back on November 6th at Stockton Arena, the Heat hosted the Condors or the first time this season.

Bakersfield came out on top despite a Markus Granlund power-play goal in the third and the Heat dropped their fourth of an eventual six-game winless drought.

That night was also unfortunately memorable as it was the last time Heat fans saw Jon Gillies healthy and between the pipes. Gillies got the start but left the game after making an awkward save near the end of the opening frame.

Gillies has not returned to the lineup since.

WHO TO WATCH

After playing his former squad (despite different affiliate) in San Antonio on November 13, forward Drew Shore has been on a tear offensively, with five points in his last five contests including that game against San Antonio.

After a difficult start to the season, Shore has bounced back and now finds himself just two points back from Markus Granlund who leads the team in points, and just a point away from tying himself with Freddie Hamilton and Kenny Agostino who have the active roster team lead in points with eight.

Shore picked up another assist against Ontario on Wednesday after saucing a pass over an Ontario defender to Bill Arnold who put home the Heat's first and now lone goal against Peter Budaj and the Reign this season.

Keep an eye on Shore tonight, who's resurgence offensively has helped lift the Heat to their best stretch of hockey this season.

RELIEF FROM ABOVE

Thanksgiving was a busy day for the Calgary Flames and the Stockton Heat, as not only did the Flames recall forward Markus Granlund, but goaltender Joni Ortio cleared waivers and was assigned to Stockton as well.

While it's never easy to see a guy lose an opportunity with the big club, Ortio's arrival in Stockton will be a welcomed sight for a team that has had a bit of a revolving door between the pipes ever since Jon Gillies went down with the lower body injury that has forced him to miss the last few weeks.

Ortio is no stranger to Calgary's AHL affiliate, seeing that he's made 84 appearances with the Flames top affiliate over the last four seasons. This season was seen as Ortio's chance to breakout as an NHL goaltender, but the strong play of Karri Ramo has prevented Ortio from getting a call to the crease since October 30th.

The 24-year-old will undoubtedly enjoy plenty of time with Stockton. In his 84 appearances at the AHL level, Ortio has posted a 49-26-1 record with 6 shutouts in 84 career AHL games.

Last season, Ortio went 21-13-1 with 4 shutouts for the Adirondack Flames while also earning 6 games with Calgary. He went 4-2-0 in the NHL in 2014-15 with Calgary and earned his first NHL shutout.

With Jon Gillies and Kevin Poulin on the shelf for now, Ortio joins Kent Simpson and PTO goalie Pat Nagle as the healthy options for the Heat.

PROTECT YOUR BARN

The Heat have played much better at home as of late and that has really been the force behind their recent hot streak.

After a 1-3-0-0 record at home to begin the season, the Stockton Heat have earned a 'W' in their last two trips to Stockton Arena.

They scored just nine goals in their first four home games this season and that includes a seven-goal performance in the home opener. They have since scored eight goals in just two home games.

The Heat will absolutely look to continue the trend at Stockton Arena tonight, as they face a team that last edged Stockton 2-1 at the Heat's barn back in early November.

INTERESTING FACT

If Joni Ortio makes his first appearance as a member of the Stockton Heat tonight, it would be his first appearance in the AHL since April 18th last season.

It would also be the first time that Ortio faces the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers since he did so last season on February 20th in a game that saw Ortio play just seven minutes before leaving the game injured.

That meeting against the Oilers then affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, has also been the first, brief meeting of two former teammates in Ortio and Bakersfield goalie Laurent Brossoit. Both Ortio and Brossoit began their careers with the Flames organization before a trade sent Brossoit to the Oilers organization.

The pair suited up for the Abbotsford Heat and the Alaska Aces of the ECHL in 2013-14.

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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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