HEAT TIE TEAM RECORD WITH 18TH ROAD WIN OF THE SEASON
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Stockton Heat (39-11-4-1) matched the club’s all-time record for road wins in a season with their 18th away victory of the campaign, a 7-5 decision over the San Diego Gulls (26-26-2-1) Sunday at Pechanga Arena.
Four Stockton skaters earned multi-point efforts on the night, including Luke Philp with two goals, Emilio Pettersen and Connor Zary with a goal and an assist each and Justin Kirkland with a pair of helpers. With an assist as his 58th point of the campaign, Matthew Phillips took sole possession of Stockton’s single-season scoring record.
Pettersen broke the ice late in the first period, lighting the lamp 18:19 into the opening frame for the early edge. The lead was not to last, Alex Limoges tying the game 33 seconds later for a 1-1 draw through a period.
Stockton found the back of the net three times in the second, Glenn Gawdin and Zary scoring over a span of 2:18 to take a 3-1 edge. After the Gulls climbed back to within striking distance at 3-2, Philp scored his first of a pair on the night with 4:48 to go in the second to give the Heat a 4-2 advantage through 40 minutes.
A wild third saw six combined scores between the clubs, San Diego scoring twice in the first 4:26 to tie the game at four before Andy Welinski scored in his return to the lineup at 8:16 of the frame to put Stockton ahead 5-4. The Heat then sealed the win with a pair of empty netters sandwiched around a Limoges strike for the 7-5 final.
NOTABLE
- Andy Welinski returned from injury into the Heat lineup, his first game since January 4. He scored his third goal of the season in the win.
- Matthew Phillips took sole possession of Stockton’s single-season scoring record with his 58th point of the year, an assist on Connor Zary’s goal.
- Luke Philp netted his career-best 20th and 21st goals of the season in the game. It was his third multi-goal game of the season.
- Emilio Pettersen notched his fourth multi-point game of the season. Connor Zary tallied his fifth such game of the year and Justin Kirkland claimed his seventh.
- Stockton scored its AHL-leading 13th shorthanded goal of the season, the third against San Diego. The goal from Glenn Gawdin was his first since January 15.
- Stockton is now 10-0-1-0 on the year when scoring shorthanded.
- The Heat clinched the season series with San Diego with five wins in seven games. The teams have one meeting remaining.
SPECIAL TEAMS
STK PP – 0-for-4
STK PK – 5-for-7
THREE STARS
First – Lucas Elvenes (1g,2a)
Second – Alex Limoges (2g)
Third – Emilio Pettersen (1g,1a)
GOALIES
W – Adam Werner (21 saves on 26 shots faced)
L – Olle Eriksson Ek (29 saves on 34 shots faced)
UP NEXT
The Heat return home Wednesday as they take on the Colorado Eagles at 6:30 p.m.
