AHL Stockton Heat

Hot Pink 1 Concludes Tonight with Game vs. Ontario

November 7, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release


TONIGHT

Hot Pink 1 wraps up tonight, as the Stockton Heat take on the Ontario Reign for the first time in the 2015-16 campaign. The Heat will look to bounce back from what is now a four-game winless streak with three-straight one-goal losses.

Ontario travels north to Stockton sporting a 6-1-2-0 record and are currently ranked second in the Pacific division.

HOT PINK 1 CONCLUDES TONIGHT

Tonight concludes what will be a fun charitable event in the Stockton Heat's Hot Pink 1 presented by Dignity Health St. Joseph's Medical Center.

This marks the 10th time in Stockton hockey history that the team will play a series of games on pink ice while raising money for St. Joseph's Foundation - Breast Health Services. In 9 previous seasons, $247,085 has been donated ($27,454 avg. per season).

WHO TO WATCH

During the Heat's rough patch, Bill Arnold has stood out as an offensive threat with his 3 points (1-2-3) in the last four games, his latest coming last night as the primary assist on Markus Granlund's power-play goal.

Arnold is now a part of a four-way tie atop the Heat's scoring rankings with 4 points on the season and continues to be as solid in his own zone as he is in the offensive zone.

Perhaps the biggest factor in Arnold's game to watch tonight, though, is his faceoffs. He has been one of the most consistent faceoff winners for the Heat all season and will need to be on top of his game in the circle if the Heat hope to defeat a tough Ontario team.

COMING IN COLD

Goaltender Kent Simpson saw his first AHL action in Stockton last night when he was called upon to finish the game following an injury to starter Jon Gillies.

Simpson looked calm once he settled into the game and stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced while between the pipes, including a beautiful glove save that kept the score 2-1 in the third period.

Stockton fans are familiar with Simpson due to the fact that he played 26 games last season with the former occupant of Stockton Arena, the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL.

While Jon Gillies will be re-evaluated today, if he should miss the game, the Heat will still have a great young netminder to take his place in Simpson.

ONE IS THE LONLIEST NUMBER

For the third-straight game, the Stockton Heat fell in a one-goal heartbreaker to a division foe last night in Stockton.

Once again the Heat showed guts and generated plenty of chances, but just couldn't quite get off of their offensive slump, as they couldn't complete the third period comeback despite a furious effort in the final frame.

The entire team, as well as the coaching staff have preached playing a full 60-minutes all season long. Certainly if the Heat can put together two more periods like their last period against Bakersfield they will be a tough team to beat every time out.

The Heat have played four games that have been decided by a goal and seven games overall.

INTERESTING FACT

Sticking with Kent Simpson for our interesting fact for the day! Last night's appearance was Simpson's first game in the AHL since last season when he suited up for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 3-1 win over the Springfield Falcons on March 20, 2015.

If Simpson gets the start tonight it will be just his second game against a team from Ontario as he suited up in a 3-1 loss last season while dressing for the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL in a game against the ECHL version of the Ontario Reign. Simpson stopped 25 of 27 in that game.

Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: November 7, 2015

Time: 7:30 p.m. PST (6:30 p.m. Doors)

Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker & iHeartRadio beginning at 7:15 p.m. PST

Leading Scorer: STOCKTON: Four Players Tied with 4 points

ONTARIO: RW Sean Backman (9GP, 0-9-9)

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 Ryan Lomberg puck.




American Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2015


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