Stockton Hosts Playoff Hockey Tonight at Stockton Arena
Series Tied 1 – 1
Arena: Stockton Arena
Date: April 28, 2017
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST
Broadcast: AHL Live, Spreaker and iHeartRadio at 6:45 p.m. PST
Giveaway: Rally Towels Courtesy of Chase Chevrolet
PLAYOFF LEADING SCORER: STOCKTON: F Mark Jankowski (2GP, 1-2-3)
SAN JOSE: F Ryan Carpenter (2GP, 2-2-4)
SERIES GAME-BY-GAME
Pacific Division Semifinals
Game 1 – Stockton at San Jose – L 0-4
Game 2 – Stockton at San Jose – W 6-4
Game 3 – Stockton vs. San Jose – Friday, April 28 at 7:00PM (Tickets)
Game 4 – Stockton vs. San Jose – Sunday, April 30 at 4:00PM (Tickets)
Game 5* – Stockton at San Jose – Tuesday, May 2 at 7:00PM
*If necessary
GAME THREE
The #4 seeded Stockton Heat continue their Pacific Division Semifinals series with the #1 seeded San Jose Barracuda tonight in their best-of-five series with Stockton tying the series in Game 2 and stealing home ice advantage from the San Jose Barracuda as the series shifts to Stockton.
After San Jose shut the Heat out in Game 1, Stockton stormed to a big early lead that they added to in the late goings of the second and third period to take a 6-4 win at the SAP Center. Stockton went 5-5-2-0 during the regular season against the Barracuda and were 3-3-0 against San Jose at Stockton Arena.
WHO TO WATCH
Tonight we want you to keep an eye on Heat centerman and veteran leader Linden Vey.
Vey was fantastic in Game 2, scoring a beautiful power-play snipe past Troy Grosenick and then added an empty netter for his first two-goal playoff game since May 4, 2013 while playing for the Los Angeles Kings affiliate in Manchester.
Sunday was his fourth career postseason multi-point game and third career multi-goal effort in the postseason.
Linden Vey is a matchup problem for San Jose, who must decide which defensive pairing will see Mark Jankowski’s unit and which will see his, and that’s why we like him to continue to lead the Heat offensively tonight.
STORM THE GATES
Two days after not being able to beat Troy Grosenick, the Stockton Heat stormed the league’s winner of the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award and put up four goals in the first period on just nine shots (0.556 SV%) and in total, scored five times on 19 shots against the netminder (0.737 SV%).
The four-goal first period ties not only the Heat’s most goals in a single period, which occurred five times in 2016-17 and a total of six previous occasions in Heat history (team record). Including this year’s regular season matchups versus San Jose, Stockton has scored 18 goals on 123 shots in first periods for a 14.6 SH%.
Mark Jankowski’s opening goal 1:30 into the first is tied for the second fastest goal in this campaign, behind Brandon Bollig’s goal 18 seconds into the regular season finale and tying a Ryan Lomberg tally back on November 27 in Tucson.
BATTLE OF THE TOP TWO ROOKIES
Young Mark Jankowski and Danny O’Regan were not only the Heat and Barracuda leading scorers, but were the top two point scoring rookies in 2016-17. While Jankowski was held off the scoresheet with the rest of his team on Friday, he bounced back beautifully to score the first playoff goal in Heat history and record the first multi-point effort in Heat playoff history, ending the game with a goal and two assists. In games after the Heat are shutout this season (five times), Jankowski has scored 5 goals and added 4 assists for 9 points.
Meanwhile, O’Regan has yet to register a point in the series and is a minus-3.
DONNING THE FLAMING C
This year a total of nine players were called up to the Calgary Flames including Goalies Jon Gillies and David Rittich, Defenseman Brett Kulak, Tyler Wotherspoon and Rasmus Andersson, along with Forwards Garnet Hathaway, Linden Vey, Hunter Shinkaruk and Mark Jankowski.
Gillies, Rittich and Andersson made their NHL debuts for the Flames at the end of the season while Mark Jankowski made his back on November 28. Compared to last year, the Heat had 16 players called up with five making their NHL debuts.
PK LAYING IT ALL ON THE LINE
The Stockton Heat went a perfect 4-4 on the penalty kill to open up the series against the AHL’s second best power play and followed that performance up going 6-7 in Game 2. While they don’t show up on the scoresheet, the Heat came up big in the blocked shot department, with key contributions from three leaders in Stanley Cup winner Brandon Bollig, alternate captain Garnet Hathaway and captain Mike Angelidis, who blocked a dramatic shot at the end of Game 2 and having to scurry to the bench on all fours.
While the individual stats are immeasurable, Stockton’s 90.9% PK unit ranks tied fifth in the AHL this postseason.
RITTER PLAYS THE HERO
After the Barracuda scored three in the third period, the Heat would make a goaltending change and turn to David Rittich between the pipes. Rittich, who had 10 games of playoff experience with BK Molada Boleslav in the Czech Extraliga prior to this season.
He came in and made an immediate impact, making two-highlight reel saves to keep the Heat in the lead. He finished the night stopping 11 of 12 and earned the Heat’s first ever postseason win. Rittich was 2-2-2 in 6 games against San Jose during the regular season and had a 3.35 GAA and 0.906 SV% against the Barracuda.
IT TAKES TWO BABY
With his 20th of the season on the regular season finale, Andrew Mangiapane joined Mark Jankowski as the only players to reach the 20-goal plateau. Jankowski and Mangiapane were the only pair of rookie teammates in the AHL this season to hit the 20-goal mark.
It’s the first time a pair of rookies skating for the Flames Top Affiliate scored 20 in a single season since Chuck Kobasew and Matthew Lombardi did it for the Saint John Flames back in 2002-03.
SHOOTING GALLERY
The San Jose Barracuda are fourth in the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, averaging 34 shots through the first two games while the Heat are 14th of 16 teams averaging 24 shots per game. This isn’t new though as San Jose outshot Stockton by 101 shots in the regular season. The Heat had the better shooting percentage then (11.6% to 9.2%) and now as well (12.5% to 11.8%).
INTERESTING FACT
May 10, 2014.
That was the last time playoff hockey was played in Stockton Arena with the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder playing postseason hockey. The Thunder won four of six games at Stockton Arena during the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
WHAT’S NEW IN STOCKTON TONIGHT
The Heat look to take advantage of home ice advantage with the first playoff hockey games in Stockton since 2013-14. Fans will receive Rally Towels courtesy of Chase Chevrolet upon entering the Arena to help cheer on the boys.
Plus, all Heat365 Members and 2016-17 Full Season Ticket Holders are invited to the Pregame Party starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Bud Light Cold Zone where we’ll have live music from local band Mondo with some delicious food options like brats, sausages, Hawaiian Hot links and much more will be available for fans ready to cheer on the Heat.
Check out our new Spirit Station located on the Fandeck open to all fans! Make signs to cheer on the Heat, get temporary “Fired Up for the Cup” tattoos and can get their face painted or balloon animals made early in the night!
Our Second Intermission Chuck-A-Puck is revamped for loads of prizes for both game nights including a chance to win an autographed Kayle Doetzel game worn jersey, a GymStars Birthday package, Rita’s Italian Ice and Dicks Sporting Goods coupons, Heat hats and more!
Participate in our new Text-To-Win promotion where fans at the game can text 209.916.8136 for a chance to win an autographed item delivered to them by Frankie himself! Speaking of everyone’s favorite bird, Frankie-Oke sponsored by Chase Chevrolet returns during the second intermission so start tuning your voice!
Get your raffle tickets for tonight’s jersey raffle for a chance to win an autographed, game worn Ryan Lomberg jersey from the inaugural season!
Available tonight at the Stockton Fan Attic is the Heat’s first ever playoff t-shirt! Sizes are limited so get yours today!
Fans can enter to win a 20-person group night for the Heat’s Opening Night in 2017-18! Just head to the Bruce’s Body Shop Sales and Service Table located just inside the North Concourse and fill out the form to enter! The winner will be announced in the third period!
HEAT365 – WHERE IT’S ALWAYS HOCKEY SEASON
Heat365 is a new and exclusive all-encompassing membership that provides more value than ever. This membership not only includes your season tickets, but also a wide range of other benefits and year-round activities.
Fans will receive many exclusive perks like access to Member-only events with the team, early entry to Stockton Arena through a private entrance and even membership gifts, which will include a specially designed hat, blanket, collector pin and travel mug during the first season of the new initiative available only through Heat365.
Plus, new members signing up for their membership will receive tickets to the first round of the playoffs for FREE! Stockton hosts Game 3 on Friday, April 28 at Stockton Arena with the potential to host Game 4 if necessary.
For a list of all benefits and how to join visit StocktonHeat.com/Heat365 or call the Heat Front Office at 209.373.1500.
