Heat Point Streak Halts at Four while Shore’s Point Streak Goes to Four
Ontario, Calif. – The Stockton Heat traveled south to Ontario to take on the division-leading Reign Friday night and suffered a setback by a score of 6-1 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. Drew Shore extended his point streak to four games with the lone Stockton tally of the night and he now has eight points in his last seven games. Unfortunately, Peter Budaj and the Reign were able to stifle the rest of the Heat offense and effectively end Stockton’s four-game point streak (3-0-1-0) in its tracks. The Stockton Heat will have the weekend off before returning next week for a midweek contest at Stockton Arena against the San Antonio Rampage – a team making their first trip to Stockton this season.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
Ontario goal: F Jonny Brodzinski (5) failed clearing attempt leads to a scramble in front of the net and a rebound is put under the goaltender’s pad and into the net (Dowd, Lowry assists), 9:59
Shots: STK – 8 | ONT – 8
2nd Period
Ontario goal: F Andrew Crescenzi (2) shot from the slot is deflected up over the goaltender’s shoulder (Samuels-Thomas assist), 2:16 (SH)
Ontario goal: F Nic Dowd (4) catch-and-shoot opportunity on the backdoor is shot up high over the sliding goaltender and into the net (Kempe, Gravel assists), 6:04 (PP)
HEAT GOAL: F Drew Shore (4) backdoor tap-in on the nearside of the crease is confirmed as a goal after review (Elson, Nakladal assists), 17:00
Shots: STK – 12 | ONT – 18
3rd Period
Ontario goal: F Adrian Kempe (8) one-timer from the slot goes high above the sliding goaltender’s outstretched pad and into the net (Army, Backman assists), 4:39
Ontario goal: F Sean Backman (7) catch-and-shoot opportunity from the slot is slapped past the goaltender on the blocker side (Horvat assist), 12:16 (SH)
Ontario goal: D Kevin Gravel (5) shot from the far side half-wall goes through traffic and past the goaltender (Backman, Dowd assists), 15:47 (PP)
Shots: STK – 5 | ONT – 9
GOALIES
W: Peter Budaj (24 shots, 23 saves)
L: Joni Ortio (35 shots, 29 saves)
NOTABLE STATISTICS
Three Stars: 1- Sean Backman (1 goal, 2 assists) 2- Adrian Kempe (1 goal, 1 assist) 3- Nic Dowd (1 goal, 2 assists)
Final Shots: STK – 24 | ONT – 35
Power Plays: STK – 0/4 | ONT – 2/4
Drew Shore (1 goal) extends his point streak to four games, dating back to before his injury (2 goals, 4 assists)
Jakub Nakladal (1 assist) takes over sole possession of second place on the team in assists on the season (13) and moves within one of the team leader (Shore – 14)
Derek Grant has his four-game point streak snapped (4 goals, 1 assist)
Kenny Agostino has his four-game point streak snapped (3 goals, 2 assists)
Freddie Hamilton has his three-game point streak snapped (1 goal, 2 assists)
QUOTES
“It was a really quick play where [Turner Elson] just put it on net and I got a stick on it behind the goalie and the net went off right after it. It was a weird play and I thought we were going to gain some momentum off of it, but it was a tough night.” – Drew Shore on how he scored his goal.
“I thought there were a few turning points tonight where I thought [the Ontario Reign] capitalized on their opportunities and we didn’t. We played the game disjointed for the most part and we weren’t crisp in our execution. We had a hard time against a very good team tonight.” – Head Coach Ryan Huska on his thoughts of tonight’s game.
“Giving up two shorthanded goals in a game is unacceptable. We just weren’t assertive enough as a team tonight. The end result shows that because when you play like that, you lose a game badly.” – Coach Huska on the two shorthanded goals Ontario scored.
NEXT HOME GAME
STOCKTON HEAT vs. San Antonio Rampage
January 13 @ Stockton Arena
First 1,000 fans receive a Aaron Johnson oversized trading card
Doors @ 6:00 p.m., Puck drop @ 7:00 p.m.
