Barracuda defeat Heat to clinch playoff berth Stockton Heat still struggling, but not out

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Heat, in contrast to their name, have seen some periods of extreme cold surrounded by hot streaks. But the hot streaks don’t seem to come often or long enough, thereby potentially leaving them out in the cold when it comes to the post season.  One such example is Stockton’s ten game win-less streak in January and February.  It was a tough period for the team, as those games were played well; they just could not score and often times lost only by a single goal.

Heat foward Andrew Mangiapane (26) tries to get a shot on goal during Friday night action – Photo by Jack Lima

A good example of this, was the Heat’s past two games against the San Jose Barracuda. They played well against a very good team.  On Friday night, the Heat defeated San Jose 7-4 at San Jose. New comer to the team, Michael Kostka was a big help with his four point night (a goal and 3 assists).  David Rittich handled the net for Stockton, stopping 26 shots against him.

“This is a big win,” said Heat Coach Ryan Huska. “I guess you could say it was a special teams game where you could say [San Jose’s] power play was good or that our penalty kill wasn’t great, but the same goes for us. Our power play got some chances and had some good looks and finished. On the road and in this building – it’s a big win any way you cut it.”

Heat winger Ryan Lomberg chases the puck in the corner – Photo by Jack Lima

Linden Vey scored two goals and an assist as well. Among the other Stockton goal scorers were Garnet Hathaway, Mark Jankowski, Matt Frattin, and Brandon Bollig.

In the net for San Jose was Mantas Armalis with 16 saves for the game. Armalis has only appeared in 23 games, with a 12-5-3-2 record.

Heat goalie David Rittich makes a save as Buddy Robinson (26) looks for the rebound – Photo by Jack Lima

On Saturday night, the Barracuda traveled a couple of hours to Stockton, for the rematch. With their regular goaltender, Troy Grosenick (26-8-3-9) in the net, the outcome was different.  San Jose defeated Stockton 3-1.

Matt Frattin (19) tries to tip a shot past Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick – Photo by Jack Lima

San Jose’s Grosenick was tough in the net, only allowing a single shot to pass him. The 19 saves game him the big win.  By the way, Grosenick has won 18 of his last nineteen appearances in the net and leads the league with 26 wins after 41 games.

Heat foward Garrnet Hathaway (9) collides with Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick to draw an interference penalty – Photo by Jack Lima

Much of Stockton’s troubles are with special teams, as they were zero for nine on the man-advantage during the game, and rank 25 in the league with just over 15 percent success.  This is an area that Coach Huska knows can make or break the game.

Huska commented on the loss, “I thought it was an emotional game. I thought the game had a playoff feel to it. We haven’t played in one of these types of games for a while and that’s one of those where you could tell that there was a lot on the line but unfortunately, the power play wasn’t there for us tonight and really that’s the difference in tonight’s game.”

Heat goalie David Rittich makes a pad save during second period action Saturday night – Photo by Jack Lima

The entire game was intense, and started off early in the first period with fighting and misconduct penalties to Dan Kelly and Keith Aulie following an elbowing penalty.  During the second period, Dan Kelly and Jamie Devane dropped the gloves.

The tempers flared again during the third period resulting in two more fights, Zack Stortini and Brandon Bollig and then again, towards the end of the game, between Barclay Goodrow and Mark Jankowski.

Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick make a stop on a Mark Jankowski breakaway – Photo by Jack Lima

Goal scorers for San Jose were Buddy Robinson (second period), Barclay Goodrow, and Rourke Chartier (both in the third period).

In addition to the win for Barracuda, they also sealed their post season appearance with the 3-1 win over Stockton last night, leading the league after only 57 games with a 38-13-2-4 record.  Last season they were the last team to secure their place, only to lose in the first round to Ontario Reign.

Stockton will continue to battle for the post season with only eleven games remaining.  They currently trail Bakersfield, just out of position.  San Diego is close behind the Barracuda, and looks to clinch that ticket soon, with Ontario not far behind.

Playoff ranking is based on percent.

x=clinched playoff

Stockton will travel to face Texas in a three game series next weekend, before returning home against San Antonio for a pair of games.