Heat Wave: Stockton on a Heater

2019-20 Record: 3-1-0-0 (1st Pacific, 3rd West)

Top 3 scorers:

Byron Froese: 4 GP (2-2-4)

Brandon Davidson: 4 GP (1-3-4)

Glenn Gawdin: 4 GP (1-3-4)

Goalies:

Artyom Zagidulin (3-1-0, 3.38 GAA, 0.889 SV%)

Nick Schneider (0-0-0, 1.38 GAA, 0.938 SV%)

2 Week Recap

Stockton has gotten off to great start. The best in team history in fact. The 4th and 5th of October saw the Heat start their season off with a back-to-back series in Colorado, taking both games by scores of 4-2 and 5-2 respectfully.

Artyom Zagidulin won his AHL debut, stopping 28 shots. The Heat were also shorthanded 8 times, all of which they killed. Alexander Yelesin scored his first AHL goal in the third period, while Adam Ruzicka recorded his first point off of Justin Kirkland’s second period goal.

The rematch the following night was almost a carbon copy of the first. Zagidulin made 31 saves playing for second straight night, while Matthew Phillips, Buddy Robinson and Byron Froese all scored for the second straight game. Zac Leslie also recorded a goal.

This past Saturday was Stockton’s home opener, against division rival San Diego Gulls. The Heat were strong offensively again, winning 5-3. Eetu Tuulola, the Flames 2016 6th round selection, recorded his first goal, assist, and multipoint game. Zagidulin started and won his third consecutive start, making 21 stops. Dillon Dube (0-2), Byron Froese (0-2), Glenn Gawdin (1-2), Tuulola, Ryan Lomberg (1-1), and Brandon Davidson (1-2) all had multipoint games, as some of Stockton’s big guns came to life.

Good things come to an end eventually, and they did Tuesday. The visiting Bakersfield Condors got 4 goals past Zagidulin in the first 15 minutes and never looked back en route to a 6-2 victory. Eetu Tuulola scored for the second straight game. Nick Schneider allowed only 1 goal in his season debut in relief.

Heat Player of the Week:

Artyom Zagidulin (G)

With a very strong pro debut under his belt, Zagidulin has begun to solidify his position as the Flames number 3 goaltending option. With long gaps between AHL games, as well as injuries to the other goaltenders, Zagidulin has a great chance to go on a run with these multiple consecutive starts.

It will be interesting to see how he bounces back after his first rough outing of the year when he gets back into net.

Whats next?

Friday October 18th @ San Diego

Saturday October 19th @ Bakersfield

by Gordie Taylor