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Stockton Heat

Heat Paint the Ice to Kick off 2016 After 4PM Game vs. Texas Today

January 2, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release


TONIGHT

The Stockton Heat host the Texas Stars for the first time at Stockton Arena this season, as the Heat will look to kickoff 2016 with a win over the Stars.

Stockton is coming off a 4-1 win over the top-ranked Ontario Reign, while Texas is riding a three-game win streak with their most recent one coming by way of a 6-1 win over San Diego.

PAINT THE ICE NIGHT

Following tonight's game against Texas, all fans ages 12 & under are invited down to ice level to help create a one-of-a-kind piece of art, as we paint the ice here at Stockton Arena.

This event was started here in Stockton during the 2013-14 season and has given birth to a multitude of imitations across minor league hockey and even the NHL.

Unfortunately the Heat will not be playing on the painted ice Sunday afternoon; however, a poster of the artwork will be featured as Sunday's giveaway.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to Paint the Ice at Stockton Arena!

LAST TIME VS. TEXAS

December 12, 2015 was the date the last time these two teams faced each other and it is a date that the Stockton Heat would just as soon forget about.

Texas took the win 5-2, thanks especially to a hat trick from Brett Ritchie and a 32-save performance from John Muse in net.

Pat Sieloff scored his first goal of the season on that night and Bryce Van Brabant added the second, but it was ultimately not enough to overcome the Stars.

WHO TO WATCH

One of the more underrated and least talked about players on the Heat roster is Bill Arnold.

The centerman plays a gritty role as a forechecker and penalty killer. He wins the vast majority of his faceoffs and has proven to be a tough competitor in high-traffic areas on the ice.

He isn't the biggest guy out there, but he has become a guy that is relied upon in front of the net to cause havoc and create traffic in front of the goaltender's eyes.

Arnold was rewarded in Ontario on Thursday for all of his hard work when he collected two assists on plays he created with his tenacity and compete level.

He might not fill up the stat sheet every night and he may never get the credit he deserves for the details he does so well, but Bill Arnold continues to prove himself as a steady player no matter where he is on the ice.

Watch for that trend to continue tonight.

BRYCE IS NICE

Bryce Van Brabant has been all around the cage this season and has found plenty of success at the crease recently.

Van Brabant has earned five points in his last four games, including four of his six goals this season along that stretch.

With the exception of his absolute snipe from the slot Thursday in Ontario, all of Van Brabant's goals are coming on effort plays at or around the crease where he simply outworks his opponent.

The 6'3" 210 lb. forward is the quintessential power forward, possessing the size to establish himself wherever he pleases and the hands to finish plays around the goal-mouth.

It took him a bit to start collecting points, but BVB is rolling now and no one is happier about it than him.

PLAYER AUTOGRAPH SIGNING SUNDAY

We will be holding our first postgame player autograph signing Sunday night following the Heat game against the Bakersfield Condors at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel.

Players that will be in attendance are:

Turner Elson

Pat Sieloff

Morgan Klimchuk

Mitchell Heard

Derek Grant

Dustin Stevenson

Emile Poirier

Ryan Lomberg

Kent Simpson

The above list is tentative and subject to change.

Join us at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel Sunday night!

THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER

Aaron Johnson returns to the Heat after a brief loan to Team Canada. Johnson appeared at the 2015 Spengler Cup representing his country and eventually capturing Canada's 13th Spengler Cup since 1984.

Johnson was relied upon heavily by Head Coach Guy Boucher as he led Team Canada in average time-on-ice with 19:57 in the four games (and wins). Johnson led in time-on-ice in all but one of the four games and picked a great time to record his first point of the tournament.

His assist came on the eventual Cup clinching goal scored by Matt D'Agostini.

BOOSTER CLUB CHARITY WINE TASTING

The Stockton Hockey Booster Club is putting on their annual Charity Wine Tasting event at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Winery Sunday, January 10.

Wine will be poured by Stockton Heat players and the event itself will benefit local charities for a good cause.

Tickets for this event are $30 per person and it will run from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. that Sunday.

Be sure to stop by the Booster Club table on the fandeck at Stockton Arena during one of the next two home games to reserve your tickets to this exciting event.

INTERESTING FACT

A total of 15 of the Stockton Heat's 25 skaters that have played against the Texas Stars have scored at least one point in the three games they've played.

Drew Shore leads the way with three points, all assists, while Turner Elson leads in the goal department with two.

Elson's two goals both came in the same game and were both shorthanded tallies.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: January 2, 2016

Time: 4:00 p.m. PST (Doors at 3:00 p.m.)

Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker & iHeartRadio beginning at 3:45 p.m. PST

Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: F Derek Grant (18GP, 11-6-17)

TEXAS: F Travis Morin (34GP, 10-24-34)

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 Kent Simpson 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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