STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Heat opened their season with a 3-2 win over the San Jose Barracuda at home before 5,745 fans Saturday night.
Last season, the Heat had a difficult time against the Barracuda, finishing 3-8-1 against them. San Jose clinched their post-season position, fourth in the Pacific Division in their last game of the season versus the Heat, ultimately losing in the first round to the Ontario Reign.
The Heat team includes many of last year’s faces, with a few new ones. Goaltender Jon Gillies had the start in the Heat net, returning from last season’s injury that kept him out after only seven games due to a hip surgery. Mike Angelidis, formerly with the Syracuse Crunch assumed the role of Captain, with his alternates Garnet Hathaway and Matt Frattin.
The only goal in the first period came off the stick of San Jose’s Daniel O’Regan, when he beat Gillies to the net with 9:43 remaining. His breakaway goal was unassisted. Both teams seemed to be having some trouble settling down following the opening puck drop.
Stockton returned for the second period seemingly calm and their passes looked better. Coach Ryan Huska commented that he helped the guys to regain their focus during the break.
“A few little reminders for them at the end of the first,” Huska said, “We still had a lot of hockey left to play. I don’t think it had anything with us not working anymore or not competing. Just some small changes help the guys get over the hoopla opening ceremonies sometimes it takes some time for the team to get going.
At the midpoint of the period, Frattin’s shot beat Troy Grosenick in the net for the goal, assisted by Andrew Mangiapane. Three minutes later, Hunter Shinkaruk scored the Heat’s second goal, assisted by Mark JanKowski and Hathaway.
In the third period, Grosenick had some equipment issues, forcing Mantas Armalis into the game, without a chance to warmup. Armalis managed to stop the three shots that came at him before Grosenick was able to get back into the game two and a half minutes later.
The Barracuda tied the game when Barclay Goodrow’s shot beat Gillies 10:55 into the period. The teams remained tied at two until Ryan Lomberg swooped in and picked up a loose puck in the defensive zone and snapped it past Grosenick for the ultimate game winner. The unassisted goal was Lomberg’s first AHL goal.
Despite the extra skater for the Barracuda, Gillies remained stout in the net, finishing with 30 saves in the 3-2 win.
“I thought once we got going into the second period, we had a couple of good shifts. The one real good penalty kill that Shinkaruk scored for us was good to helped them carry on,” said Huska. “I thought we were hunting pucks a lot harder in the second period, l creating some turnovers, and when you’re playing that way you’re going to get chances.”
Asked how important the first win of the season is for the team, Huska said, “You want to win your first game, no matter who you’re playing against, so i think at times it takes a little bit of pressure off of your group. We’ll be able to show them some of the things they did well; we’ll be able to show them some of the things they have to work on. Whenever you’re winning, whether it’s the first game of the year, the 50th game of the year, your group feels better about itself, so it’s nice for us to be able to go into a couple of days of practice on Monday and Tuesday and get ourselves ready for Texas that way.”
The Heat will host the Texas Stars on Wednesday night. The Barracuda will travel to Southern California to face the Ontario Reign next weekend.
Colin Blackwell (43) watches as Barclay Goodrow’s (not in picture) shot passes Jon Gillies in the net for their second goal. – Photo by Jack Lima
Heat Colby Robak (43) fights for position with Alex Schoenborn – Photo by Jack Lima
Ryan Lomberg (c) celebrates his game winning goal with Oliver Kylington (4) and Daniel Pribl (47) – Photo by Jack Lima
Rourke Chartier (60) tries to tip a shot past Heat Goalie Jon Gillies – Photo by Jack Lima
Hunter Shinkaruk (c) takes a shot on Barracudas goalie Troy Grosenick as Patrick McNally (51) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Danie O’Regan (65) collides with Heat Goalie Jon Gillies – Photo by Jack Lima
Daniel O’Regan (tr) scores a goal past Jon Gillies in the net – first goal of the night. – Photo by Jack Lima
Colin Blackwell (43) skates past Oliver Kylington (4) – Photo by Jack Lima
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