SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Stockton Heat (14-6-1-1) visited the San Diego Gulls (11-10-1) for game one of two, where they dominated much of the game with a final score of 5-3. The Heats special teams scored in two of seven power play advantages, while killing all seven chances for the Gulls. The Heat retain their first place rank in the Pacific Division.
Goals scored by Jamie Devane, Matt Frattin and Hunter Shinkaruk in the first period, followed by a second Frattin goal in the second. The Gulls’ Kevin Roy and Jaycob Megna each scored in the second.
Heat goalie Jon Gillies makes one of his 44 saves during a 5-3 win over the San Diego Gulls on Friday night – Photo by Jack Lima
Jon Gillies (8-3) in the Stockton net had a career high 44 saves in the match and appeared very strong in the net. There were two very close opportunities for the Gulls to really turn around the game, one late in the second period, when Gillies stopped a barrage of shots in close range, one hitting the post and taking a good bounce away from the net.
“There were spurts in the game that I felt busy,” said Gillies after the game. “Their power play moves the puck really well, so even if they’re not getting a lot of quality shots, they move it around the perimeter really well. That makes you feel like you’re exerting a lot of energy, but other than that I thought they had a couple of good chances, but we did a good job of keeping them to the outside. We played a good, insulated game and I’m happy to come out with the win.”
Stockton celebrates Jamie Devane’s (27) 1st period goal – Photo by Jack Lima
In the third period, Andrew Mangiapane scored when Linden Vey’s shot was blocked by Dustin Tokarski and sent back into the crease. A late goal from San Diego’s Kenny Ryan wasn’t enough to get the Gulls back into the game.
In the end, Tokarski took the loss in the net with 20 saves.
“These wins at this time of year are really important,” said Heat Coach Ryan Huska. “If you can find a way to grind out some wins and some points on the road it gives you an opportunity to create a little bit of separation from the pack. That’s hopefully what we can do. We’ve got another big one here tomorrow, we want to try to get points out of here. When you get the first one and they are back to back the second one’s harder, so we have to make sure we are prepared and we have to make a few adjustments for tomorrow.”
The teams will return Saturday night for the Gulls annual Teddy Bear Toss.
Matt Frattin (19) tries to skate past Gulls’ defenseman Brandon Montour (26) – Photo by Jack Lima
Stocktons’ Mark Jankowski (17) battles Chris Wagner (21) for the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Heat forward Ryan Lomberg (41) tries to jump around Keaton Thompson (4) – Photo by Jack Lima
Heat forward Emile Poirier follows through on a shot while lying on the ice – Photo by Jack Lima
Heat forward Andrew Mangiapane (26) breaks his stick while taking a shot on goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Heat defenseman Brett Kulak (2) looses his balance behind the net – Photo by Jack Lima
Gulls forward Kalle Kossila (C) tries to deflect the puck past Heat goalie Jon Gillies as defenseman Rasmus Andersson (14) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
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