Findlay Sends Bears Flying in Record Time in 4-3 Loss
Stockton, Calif. – Brett Findlay’s shot just 19 seconds into the game sent the 6,421 fans into a frenzy as teddy bears rained down from the stands and onto the ice during the 13th Teddy Bear Toss held at Stockton Arena, but the Heat would fall just short as the Ontario Reign came away with the 4-3 win. Findlay’s marker was the fastest ever Teddy Bear Toss in the history of the event, shaving off 2:29 from the previous record set by the Stockton Thunder (ECHL) back in 2013-14. However, Stockton’s lead was short-lived, as former Heat forward, and contributor on last year’s Teddy Bear Toss goal at Stockton Arena, Jamie Devane, tipped a Bokondji Imama shot past Jon Gillies to tie the game. Ontario would add a late goal in the second period to take their first lead of the night. The teams would exchange goals in a back and forth third period, but in the end Ontario’s second power-play goal in the third period gave the road team the win. The bears that were tossed on the ice will be counted on Monday at the United Way of San Joaquin County. Stockton heads to Texas next Friday and Saturday before the AHL All-Star Break, with fans able to follow the action on AHL Live. The Heat will return home to start a home-and-home series with the San Jose Barracuda on Friday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. It’s another Fry Day presented by Golden State Restaurant Group McDonald’s! Fans who eat at a participating McDonald’s location can bring their receipt to the Stockton Arena Ticket Office and with a purchase of one ticket, can get one ticket free! To find a participating McDonald’s location nearest you click here! Plus, during every Wednesday and Friday home games during 2018, fans can bring an empty can or bottle of any Coca-Cola product to the Stockton Arena Ticket Office to receive $5 off any regular priced ticket. One can or bottle required per ticket discount. Subject to availability. Stockton Arena retains the right to select seating locations. Learn more and purchase your tickets now by calling 209.373.1500 or by visiting stocktonheat.com/tickets.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
HEAT GOAL: F Brett Findlay (8) shot from right circle slips past goalie and in (Wotherspoon assist), 0:19
Ontario Goal: F Jamie Devane (2) shot from right wing boards glances off forward in front and changes directions on goalie (Imama assist), 2:31
Shots: STK – 19 | ONT – 10
2nd Period
Ontario Goal: F T.J. Hensick (4) slap shot from the top of the right circle beats goalie glove-hand side (Crescenzi, Lintuniemi assists), 15:55
Shots: STK – 8 | ONT – 16
3rd Period
Ontario Goal: F Philippe Maillet (6) initial shot is stopped but loose puck gets pushed into the slot where forward jams it in the empty net (Mersch, Fantenberg assists), (PP), 2:32
HEAT GOAL: D Cody Goloubef (7) snap shot from the right point beats the goalie high over his shoulder (Cramarossa, Pollock assists), 8:27
Ontario Goal: F Matt Moulson (6) pass to the slot is tapped past the goaltender on the backdoor chance (Maillet, Walker assists), (PP), 11:00
HEAT GOAL: F Spencer Foo (9) shot blocked by goalie but rebound is put back just inside the right post (Kylington assist), 16:36
Shots: STK – 17 | ONT – 10
GOALIES
W: Cal Petersen (44 shots, 41 saves)
L: Jon Gillies (36 shots, 32 saves)
NOTABLE STATISTICS
Three Stars: 1- Matt Moulson (ONT) (GWG) 2- Oliver Kylington (1 assist) 3- Brett Findlay (1 goal)
Final Shots: STK – 44 | ONT – 36
Power Plays: STK – 0/5 | ONT – 2/6
Brett Findlay scores the fastest Teddy Bear Toss goal in Stockton Hockey history, shaving off 2:29 from the previous record set by the Stockton Thunder’s Alex MacLeod in 2013-14 (2:48 into first)
That makes seven toss goals scored in the first period, two in the second and one in the third in the 13 year history of the event
The Heat are 1-2-0 on Teddy Bear Toss games and Stockton Hockey Teams are 6-4-3 all-time in the event’s history
Spencer Foo (1 goal, 1 assist) has points/assists in back-to-back games (1-2-3)
Foo records his fourth multi-point game of the season
Oliver Kylington (2 assists) records his sixth multi-point game of the season
Stockton’s 44 shots were the most this season in a single game as their previous high was 41 shots back on November 3 against Manitoba
QUOTES
“Obviously I thought we battled hard. Had a great first period and came out the way we wanted to so it was a very disappointing loss.” – Brett Findlay on the 4-3 loss
“That is the first time I have done something like that so it was pretty special. I couldn’t do it without my teammates, but definitely discouraging for us after such a great first period. Hopefully we start getting some bounces and we just have to trust the process.” – Findlay on scoring the toss goal 19 seconds into the game
“We had a great first shift. We were able to get in there and create some havoc and Wotherspoon made a great pass to me and I was fortunate to find a lane and it happened to go in for me.” – Findlay on the goal that sent the bears flying onto the ice
“These games are special. Anytime you can have the fans come out and support a good cause like this. It is something special to play for and for us to look forward to. It was definitely a special feeling for me and pretty exciting moment.” – Findlay on the special moment of scoring the Teddy Bear Toss goal
“With that goal, scoring it early. It doesn’t really shift any momentum in the game. It was nice for us to do that, but I am sure some people were a little disappointed because they weren’t in their seats yet, but we will take it.” – Coach Ryan Huska on the toss goal just 19 seconds into the game
“Not good enough. At the end of the day you can chalk this weekend up to our poor special teams. I thought we took a real undisciplined penalty to allow them to score that last goal. We didn’t get the job done with our kill and we most definitely did not get the job done with our power play tonight.” – Huska on his team’s special teams this weekend
“We played well five-on-five tonight. For our group to shift the special teams in our favor this would be a much different game. I think we hit seven posts tonight. It was also one of those nights where we were generating a lot of chances. The big thing for me is the five-on-five play I like how we played. We had edge I like how we competed, but we have to be better on the special teams.” – Huska on his team’s effort tonight
“We try to push for quick starts and scoring the first goal early. I thought the guys that were on the ice were ready to play, Findlay, Foo and Lomberg. Wotherspoon made a nice play on the goal.” – Huska on Findlay’s toss goal
NEXT HOME GAME
STOCKTON HEAT vs. San Jose Barracuda
Friday, February 2 @ Stockton Arena
Fry Day presented by Golden State Restaurant McDonald’s // Recycle Coke and Save
Doors @ 6:00 p.m., Puck drop @ 7:00 p.m.
For tickets call 209.373.1500 // stocktonheat.com/tickets
