Heat Wave: Stockton begins second half on fire

Record: 22-7-2-3, 2nd Pacific Division , 3rd Western Conference

Team Leaders:

Goals

Philp (15), Robinson (15), Phillips (14)

Assists

Gawdin (24), Quine (21), Leslie (18)

Points

Gawdin (35), Phillips (30), Quine (29)

Goaltending

Jon Gillies (10-4-3), 2.45 GAA .913 SV%

Artyom Zagidulin (12-3-2), 3.08 GAA .898 SV%

Summary

This past week saw the Heat earn two victories against division rivals Bakersfield and San Jose.

On Wednesday, the Heat played host to the Edmonton Oilers affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. The game didn’t begin as planned, as the team found themselves down 2-0 Brad Malone scored his second goal of the game just 50 seconds into the second period.

Adam Ruzicka made sure the home team didn’t go into the second intermission being shutout, as the rookie notched his seventh goal of the season with just under 5 minutes remaining. Speaking of rookie scoring, Luke Philp scored his 15th goal of the season at the midway mark of the third. This was after captain Byron Froese scored just 39 seconds into the frame, so Philp’s powerplay marker gave the team their first lead.

Ryan Lomberg added an empty net goal with just under a second remaining, sealing the victory at 4-2. Jon Gillies didn’t allow a goal for 39 minutes to finish the night with 19 saves and his 10th win of the season. Alan Quine and Corey Schueneman added two assists each.

The team carried that shutdown mentality into Saturday night’s tilt in San Jose, against the Barracuda. Artyom Zagidulin made the start and was absolutely phonomenal, stopping all 26 shots he faced, and earned his first AHL shutout. The win was also his twelfth of the season, in just his 19th game. Alan Quine scored with 10 seconds left in the first period, and Byron Froese scored for the second straight game midway through the third, and the Heat won 2-0.

Austin Czarnik added 2 assists to bring his totals to 6 goals and 13 points in 11 games. He looks like a strong call-up candidate with the added cap flexibility from the Michael Frolik trade.

Fast facts:

-The Heat are 6-2-1-1 in their past 10 games

-Luke Philp is 4th in AHL rookie goals, with 15

-With 135, the Heat have the second most goals for in the entire American Hockey League, despite playing in the lighter schedule Pacific Division. They are 7th in goals against, with 99.

-Glenn Gawdin is 8th in AHL scoring with 35 points in 34 games

-Alexander Yelesin recorded his third assist in Saturday’s game, before being mysteriously summoned by the Flames on Sunday

Heat Player of the Week: 

Austin Czarnik 2GP: 0G, 3A, 3Pts

Up Next: Jan 12 @ San Jose

by Gordie Taylor