Simpson, Ruzicka Score as Stockton Falls Sunday at Laval
Published on April 4, 2021 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release
MONTREAL, QC - Mark Simpson and Adam Ruzicka found the back of the net in a third period push, but the Stockton Heat (9-11-1-0) dropped Sunday's contest against the Laval Rocket (17-4-1-1) by a 4-2 final score at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
The teams played to a scoreless draw in the first period before the Rocket jumped on top in the second, Rafael Harvey-Pinard scoring on the power play 6:20 into the frame for a 1-0 lead.
The cushion grew to three early in the third with Yannick Veilleux and Ryan Poehling scoring in the first 4:05 of the final period before Simpson's marker cut the deficit to two. Ruzicka then trimmed the gap to just one score in the final minute before an empty-netter produced the 4-2 final.
Garret Sparks made 34 saves on 37 shots faced in the game.
NOTABLE
- Mark Simpson recorded his fourth goal of the season and first since March 8.
- Alex Gallant recorded his first assist of the season on Simpson's score.
- Simpson's goal snapped a Laval shutout streak of more than 110 minutes against Stockton.
- Adam Ruzicka's goal was his team-leading ninth of the season.
- C.J. Lerby recorded his first professional multi-point game with two assists.
- Garret Sparks made 34 saves in the game, his second-highest tally of the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
STK PP - 0-for-0
STK PK - 2-for-3
THREE STARS
First - Jordan Weal (2 assists)
Second - Rafael Harvey-Pinard (2 goals, 1 assist)
Third - Ryan Poehling (1 goal, 1 assist)
GOALIES
W - Michael McNiven (16 saves on 18 shots faced)
L - Garret Sparks (34 saves on 37 shots faced)
UP NEXT
The Heat close out their seven-game road trip with a Tuesday contest at Laval, a 5 p.m. MT, 4 p.m. PT puck drop at the Bell Centre.
American Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2021
- Reign Falls to San Diego - Ontario Reign
- Gulls Win 200th Game - San Diego Gulls
- Simpson, Ruzicka Score as Stockton Falls Sunday at Laval - Stockton Heat
- Anaheim Ducks Recall Carrick - San Diego Gulls
- Ontario Reign Statement on New State Guidelines - Ontario Reign
- San Diego Gulls Sign Forward Greg Printz to PTO - San Diego Gulls
- Heat, Rocket Clash Sunday in Montreal - Stockton Heat
- Barracuda Doomed by Penalty Trouble, Fall 7-3 to Gulls - San Jose Barracuda
- Roadrunners Earn First Win Against Henderson Silver Knights - Tucson Roadrunners
- Power Play a Force in Sixth Straight Win - San Diego Gulls
- Silver Knights Fall to Roadrunners, 4-2 - Henderson Silver Knights
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.
