Weekly News and Notes of the Stockton Heat
April 11, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Stockton Heat News Release
News and Notes
Stockton is 16-5-1-0 at home since January 2
The Heat have outscored teams 73-57 at home during that stretch (16 goal diff.)
Stockton continues to lead the league in average shots for per game with 34.48
The Heat have now won 10 road games on the year, and bring a two-game win streak on the road to Bakersfield on Tuesday. The two-game win streak matches the longest for the season with a chance to extend it on Tuesday.
Stockton has the following matchup's remaining this season
Two against San Jose (one at Stockton Arena and one on the road)
One against Bakersfield (on the road)
TOTALS: 3 games remaining (one at Stockton Arena, two on the road)
Stockton's power play struggled from March 21 through April 3, going 0 for 27 and seven games without a power play goal, however the Heat were able to buck that trend this week, scoring a power-play goal per game
Stockton's win on Sunday against San Diego was the 15th overtime game the Heat have played this year. The Heat have won 11 of those games, seven in overtime and four in the shootout to give them a .733 winning-percentage in overtime
Amazingly, the Heat have seven different goal scorers in OT as Aaron Johnson, Derek Grant, Mason Raymond, Emile Poirier, Hunter Shinkaruk, Kenny Agostino and now Freddie Hamilton have won games for the Heat in the extra five minutes
If you count shootout winners Kenny Agostino, Derek Grant and Freddie Hamilton would have the most game winners after the game goes past 60-minutes with two. Turner Elson is the other player who has won a game in the shootout for the Heat
Ryan Culkin scored his first AHL goal since October 25, 2014 at Rochester when his shot made it through Matt Hackett to get the scoring started on Sunday vs. San Diego.
It was Culkin's first AHL point since January 23, 2015 at Rochester (assist)
Brett Kulak has assists in four straight games, which sets a new team long for an assist streak this season. Kulak has 5 assists during his current streak.
Kulak was one of many players to have a three-game assist streak this season
Mason Raymond and Hunter Shinkaruk (3 GP, 3 A)
Brett Kulak, Drew Shore, Aaron Johnson and Freddie Hamilton (3 GP, 4 A)
Kenny Agostino and Derek Grant (3 GP, 5 A)
Kulak also took over as the second most point getter from the blueline, surpassing Jakub Nakladal who had 14 points in 35 games with the Heat
Kulak is just one point back of tying captain Aaron Johnson for the team lead in points among defenseman with 18 and two from passing Johnson who's been out with a lower body injury.
Tyler Wotherspoon recorded his first multi-point game on Sunday since February 20, 2015 against the Oklahoma City Barons on the road where he also had two assists
It was his first game winning goal since October 25, 2014 @ Rochester
He scored on Sunday too, marking the first time the defender had points in back to back efforts
Stockton has used the second most goaltenders in the league (7) behind only Toronto (8)
Jon Gillies, Karri Ramo, Kent Simpson, Eric Hartzell, Kevin Poulin, Joni Ortio and Nick Schneider have all appeared in a game for Stockton
Approaching Milestones
Drew Shore is 2 assists from his 100th career AHL assist
Pat Sieloff is 1 game away from playing his 100th AHL game
Kenny Agostino is 6 points away from 100 in his AHL career
Recently Reached Milestones
Brett Pollock made his pro debut on Saturday against San Diego
He followed that up with an important first goal to tie things up on Sunday in the third period against the Gulls
Mark Jankowski scored his first pro goal on Sunday against the Gulls on the power play
Playoff Scenarios
The Heat have three games remaining and must win every game remaining. If Stockton is able to do that they'll need some help from the Lake Erie Monsters as the third placed team in the Central hosts the fifth placed Charlotte Checkers on Thursday and Friday.
Currently the Checkers hold the final playoff spot in the West as the crossover team that would play the Ontario Reign in the Pacific Divisional playoffs. If they lose both games in regulation, Stockton would still have a chance heading into the final weekend against San Jose.
For the Heat, they can beat Bakersfield in any way to keep their playoff chances alive, however against San Jose, the Heat would need at least one regulation win to ensure the Barracuda don't knock them out.
However the Heat have to take care of business first with a win in Bakersfield on Tuesday.
Get Happy for Culks
As a now 22-year-old defenseman, Ryan Culkin has been through a lot in his first two years pro.
The defender started his rookie campaign in Adirondack last season on a hot streak, recording 18 points 37 games before suffering a freak skate laceration injury that could've derailed his career.
After missing the rest of the season, Culkin came back and participated in the Flames training camp, but suffered another injury, this time to his shoulder, that kept him out of the Heat lineup through the beginning of the season.
After not playing a competitive game of hockey for nearly 10 months, Culkin was assigned to the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL where he played 33 games with the club before being reassigned to the Heat on February 6 where he's been ever since.
However the offensive success that he had in his first season became a bit more difficult to come by until Sunday when Culkin scored a milestone marker after going through so much in the last year.
In the first period of Sunday's game the Heat defenseman floated a shot through a ton of traffic in front and slipped past San Diego netminder Matt Hackett to open the scoring. It was Culkin's first goal, be it AHL or ECHL, since October 25, 2014 in a game at Rochester and his first AHL point since an assist he had on January 23, 2015 in another game at Rochester.
Hopefully this is a sign of things to come offensively for the fifth rounder in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Weekend of Firsts
It really was a weekend of firsts for the Heat as they saw three players recalled ahead of the Calgary Flames season finale game in Minnesota on Saturday as defenseman Pat Sieloff and Oliver Kylington made their NHL debuts along with forward Turner Elson.
However the firsts didn't stop there as in the second period, Turner Elson (who combined with fellow Heat forward Drew Shore) on the Flames first goal of the evening by Brandon Bollig for his first NHL point.
Not long after that, in fact, just 31 seconds later while the PA announcer was rolling through the first Calgary goal, Pat Sieloff joined a rush up the ice and threw a backhander toward the net that deflected past the Wild goaltender giving Sieloff his first NHL point and NHL goal.
To make it that much more special, it was the game winning goal.
Sieloff is the third Flames call-up (Josh Jooris, 2016, Mark Cundari 2013) to score in his debut in the last five years and first since David Moss back on December 19, 2006 to score the game winner in his debut.
Moss, receiving the call up from the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, scored to beat the Los Angeles Kings on the road in his NHL debut.
Of the confirmed NHL debuts in Flames history receiving the call-up from the AHL club, Sieloff is only 3rd player to score GWG (Blair Betts the other on April 4, 2002 v. MIN).
However the firsts didn't all happen in Minnesota.
Back in Stockton, two highly touted prospects registered their first pro goals on Sunday as 2012 21st overall pick Mark Jankowski found the back of the net on the power play to give the Heat a temporary lead while fellow prospect, and recent Flames acquisition, Brett Pollock, notched his first in the third period after San Diego took the lead.
Pollock scored in his second AHL game while Jankowski scored in his fifth, however the latter had three previous points, all assists, for the Heat.
Players & Their Career Highs
Below is a look of players who've eclipsed their career high, met their career high or are nearing their career high in points
Players Who've Established a New Career High in Points
Kenney Morrison (New Career High: 42GP 3-9-12 | Previous High: 2014-15 - 10GP 2-4-6)
Pat Sieloff (New Career High: 49GP 2-9-11 | Previous High: 2014-15 - 48GP 2-3-5)
Hunter Shinkaruk (New Career High: 59GP 26-23-49 | Previous High: 2014-15 - 74GP 16-15-31)
Kenny Agostino (This Season's Stats: 62GP 21-30-51| Career High: 2014-15 - 67GP 15-28-43)
Derek Grant (This Season's Stats: 36GP 27-18-45 | Career High: 2014-15 - 73GP 21-17-38)
Brett Kulak (This Season's Stats: 58GP 3-14-17 | Career High: 2014-15 - 26GP 4-9-13)
Bryce Van Brabant (This Season's Stats: 60GP 7-9-16| Career High: 2014-15 - 52GP 8-7-15)
Players Who've tied their Career High in Points
Turner Elson (This Season's Stats: 60GP 13-17-30| Career High: 2014-15 - 59GP 17-13-30)
Players Nearing their Career High in Points
Drew Shore (This Season's Stats: 56GP 10-25-35| Career High: 2014-15 - 47GP 12-25-37) - 2 points away
Freddie Hamilton (This Season's Stats: 59GP 17-24-41 | Career High: 2013-14 - 64GP 22-21-43) - 2 points away
Purchase or Renew Your Season Tickets for a Chance to Win Heat and Flames Jerseys!
For fans who purchase full-season tickets or renew their season tickets for the 2016-17 season, they will be entered into a drawing to win one of two very cool jerseys!
During the game on Saturday, April 16, a Derek Grant Heat jersey will be given to a lucky season ticket holder. There will be one more drawing after the regular season ends where an autographed jersey from Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano will be given to a lucky winner!
To qualify, either purchase your new full-season tickets or if you're renewing, just make sure you've made at least one payment towards next season's seats. Each seat in your account will give you one entry into winning the jerseys!
Call 209.373.1500 and talk with your account representative today! For more information on 2016-17 full season tickets, and the special "season ticket holder" only perks, click here!
Best of luck!
Donate Your Unused Tickets
For mini-plan or full season ticket holders who have unused tickets, call your representative today and donate your unused seats for Military Appreciation on April 16. Your unused seats will be donated to local active, reserve and veteran soldiers as well as their families!
Don't have any unused seats but still want to donate? Call 209.373.1500 or visit StocktonHeat.com to learn more about donation plans perfect for your business, non-profit or group!
The Heat will also be wearing special Military Appreciation jerseys which were released last week. Learn more about the jerseys here. They will be auctioned off during and after the game.
Records:
Last Week's Record: 1-2-0-0, 2 points
Overall Record: 31-30-2-2, .508 Points Percentage, 5th in the Pacific Division
Last Week's Results:
Apr. 6 - Stockton Heat 1 vs. Ontario Reign 4
Apr. 9 - Stockton Heat 2 vs. San Diego Gulls 6
Apr. 10 - Stockton Heat 5 vs. San Diego Gulls 4 (OT)
This Week's Schedule:
Tue. Apr. 12 - Stockton Heat at Bakersfield Condors - Rabobank Arena (7:00 p.m.)
Sat. Apr. 16 - Stockton Heat vs. San Jose Barracuda - Stockton Arena (7:30 p.m.)
Sun. Apr. 10 - Stockton Heat at San Jose Barracuda - SAP Center (3:00 p.m.)
Recent Transactions
4/11 - Mitchell Heard assigned to Adirondack (ECHL) from Stockton
4/11 - Yann Sauve assigned to Manchester (ECHL) from Stockton
4/10 - Drew Shore reassigned to Stockton from Calgary
4/10 - Hunter Shinkaruk reassigned to Stockton from Calgary
4/10 - Oliver Kylington reassigned to Stockton from Calgary
4/10 - Turner Elson reassigned to Stockton from Calgary
4/10 - Pat Sieloff reassigned to Stockton from Calgary
4/8 - Oliver Kylington reassigned to Calgary from Stockton on emergency
4/8 - Turner Elson reassigned to Calgary from Stockton on emergency
4/8 - Pat Sieloff reassigned to Calgary from Stockton on emergency
4/8 - Yann Sauve recalled to Stockton from Manchester (ECHL)
4/8 - Brett Pollock joins Stockton from Edmonton (WHL)
4/8 - Patrick Killeen sings amateur tryout contract with Stockton
4/8 -Josh Robinson released from pro tryout
4/5 - Keegan Kanzig joins Stockton from Calgary (WHL)
4/3 - Emile Poirier assigned to Stockton from Calgary
Team Leaders
Goals: Derek Grant with 27
Assists: Kenny Agostino with 30
Points: Kenny Agostino with 51
PIMs: Dustin Stevenson and Hunter Smith with 90
Wins: Kevin Poulin with 14
Losses: Kevin Poulin with 11
GAA (Played at least 10 games): Kevin Poulin with 2.86
SV% (Played at least 10 games): Kevin Poulin with 0.909
Team Stats
Goals For: Week: 8 | Overall: 186
Goals Against: Week: 14 | Overall: 208
Power Play: 49-295 (16.6%), 18th in AHL
Penalty Kill: 201-252 (79.8%), 26th in AHL
Records vs. Opponents
Pacific Division:
Bakersfield (5-6-0-0)
Ontario (5-7-0-0) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
San Antonio (4-1-0-1) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
San Diego (6-5-0-1) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
San Jose (2-7-1-0)
Texas (4-1-1-0) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
TOTALS vs. PACIFIC: (26-27-2-2)
Central Division:
Iowa (2-0-0-0) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
Rockford (1-1-0-0) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
Manitoba (2-2-0-0) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
TOTALS vs. CENTRAL: (5-3-0-0) - SEASON SERIES COMPLETED
Calgary Flames (NHL) - Regular Season Ended 4/9/16
Record Last Week: 2-0-1, 4 points
Record Overall: 35-40-7, .469 Points Percentage, Finished 5th in Pacific Division
Heat Call-Ups for Season (*Made NHL Debut this Season):
Karri Ramo (G) - 37 GP, 17-18-1, 1 SO, 2.63 GAA, .909 SV%
**Markus Granlund (F) - 31 GP (4-3-7), 8 PIMS, -1
*Jakub Nakladal (D) - 27 GP (2-3-5), 6 PIMS, -5
Joni Ortio (G) - 22 GP, 7-9-5, 1 SO, 2.76 GAA, .902 SV%
Derek Grant (F) - 15 GP (0-1-1), 2 PIMS, -7
*Garnet Hathaway (F) - 14 GP (0-3-3), 31 PIMS, -1
Tyler Wotherspoon (D) - 11 GP (0-1-1), 0 PIMS, Even
Brett Kulak (D) - 8 GP (0-0-0), 0 PIMS, -2
^Hunter Shinkaruk (F) - 7 GP (2-1-3), 2 PIMS, -4
Freddie Hamilton (F) - 4 GP (1-1-2), 0 PIMS, Even
Drew Shore (F) - 2 GP (0-1-1), 2 PIMS, Even
Kenny Agostino (F) - 2 GP (0-0-0), 0 PIMS, -2
Emile Poirier (F) - 2 GP (0-0-0), 2 PIMS, -1
*Pat Sieloff (D) - 1 GP (1-0-1), 2 PIMS, +1
*Turner Elson (F) - 1 GP (0-1-1), 0 PIMS, Even
*Oliver Kylington (D) 1 GP (0-0-0), 0 PIMS, Even
**Traded to Vancouver for Hunter Shinkaruk (Stats included only accounts for GP with Calgary
^Made NHL Debut this season for the Vancouver Canucks (Canucks Stats not included)
Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) - Regular Season Ended 4/14/16
Record Last Week: 1-2-0, 2 points
Record Overall: 38-28-6, .569 Points Percentage, 3rd in East Division
First Round Schedule vs. Manchester:
Game 1 - Wed. Apr. 13 - #6 Thunder at #3 Manchester (4:00 PST)
Game 2 - Fri. Apr. 15 - #6 Thunder at #3 Manchester (4:00 PST)
Game 3 - Sat. Apr. 16 - #6 Thunder vs. #3 Manchester (4:30 PST)
Game 4 - Mon. Apr. 18 - #6 Thunder vs. #3 Manchester (4:00 PST)
Game 5 (if necessary) - Wed. Apr. 20 - #6 Thunder at #3 Manchester (4:00 PST)
Game 6 (if necessary) - Fri. Apr. 22 - #6 Thunder vs. #3 Manchester (4:00 PST)
Game 7 (if necessary) - Sat. Apr. 23 - #6 Thunder at #3 Manchester (4:00 PST)
American Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2016
- Irving Stops 37 Shots as Griffins Fall 3-0 at Iowa - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Birthday Boy's Shutout Takes Cake in 3-0 Win - Iowa Wild
- Syracuse Crunch Return Ryan Martindale to Florida Everblades - Syracuse Crunch
- Blackhawks Recall Rundblad, Reassign Bickell and Rasmussen - Rockford IceHogs
- San Diego Gulls Announce Roster Moves - San Diego Gulls
- Ontario Reign Weekly: Reign and Gulls Clash in Regular-Season Grand Finale - Ontario Reign
- San Diego Honda Dealers to Sponsor 'Drive to the Playoffs' - San Diego Gulls
- Admirals Finish up Regular Season this Week - Milwaukee Admirals
- Minnesota Wild Signs Adam Gilmour to Entry-Level Contract - Iowa Wild
- Rockford Clinches Playoff Berth in Week 27 - Rockford IceHogs
- Weekly News and Notes of the Stockton Heat - Stockton Heat
- Admirals Make Roster Moves - Milwaukee Admirals
- Playoff-Bound Griffins Close Regular Season with Four-Game Week - Grand Rapids Griffins
- San Antonio Rampage Weekly Update - San Antonio Rampage
- Texas Stars Weekly Update - Texas Stars
- Goaltender Peter Budaj Grabs Baz Bastien Award as AHL's Outstanding Goaltender - Ontario Reign
- Ricoh Rock Report - St. John's IceCaps
- Condors Receive Four Players from Edmonton - Bakersfield Condors
- Ontario's Peter Budaj Voted Winner of 2015-16 Baz Bastien Award as AHL's Outstanding Goaltender - AHL
- Hurricanes Assign Murphy to Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Falcons Sign Macdonald, Release Roe - Springfield Falcons
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Goaltender Peter Budaj Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - Ontario Reign
- Ontario's Peter Budaj Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Heat Announce Roster Moves - Stockton Heat
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.
