STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Heat (18-3-2-1) took their first home regulation loss of the season, falling in a New Year’s Eve bout with San Jose (11-13-1-0) by a 4-0 final Friday at Stockton Arena.
The teams played to a scoreless first frame before the Barracuda potted a pair in the second with Nick Merkley and Joachim Blichfeld finding the back of the net. The visiting team then doubled its advantage in the third as Evan Weinger and Blichfeld lit the lamp in the final 20 minutes.
Stockton fired 30 shots on goal but were turned away each time by Sam Harvey, who was making his season debut with San Jose. The Heat went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill, extending the strong play down a skater to finish the month 35-for-36.
