Heat Hockey is back in Stockton

STOCKTON, Calif. – Last season, the Stockton Arena remained dark. But with the new 2021 season, the fans have returned, and hockey is back.

Stockton’s Coach Mitch Love behind the bench – Photo by Jack Lima

The Stockton Heat hosted the Tucson Roadrunners for opening weekend. Just the first game in over 580 days to be played at the Stockton Arena, led by new head coach Mitch Love.

In their first game, a goalie duel led to no goals for either team forcing the overtime period. Tucson’s Vladislav Kolyachonok’s shot beat Dustin Wolf in the Stockton net, from the circle. Roadrunners earned the win in the 1-0 overtime game.

Ivan Prosvetov stretched out as puck passes just outside the net – Photo by Jack Lima

Wolf saved 34 shots in the loss, while Tucson’s netminder, Ivan Prosvetov got the win with 29 saves.

On Saturday night, the Heat came roaring back. Justin Kirkland scored Stockton’s first goal of the season on a powerplay at 14:11. Adam Ruzicka and Matthew Phillips both received a point for the assist on the goal.

Stockton’s Dustin Wolf in the net – Photo by Jack Lima

Tucson answered late in the period, with Hudson’s Fasching’s powerplay goal, assisted by Michael Carcone and Matias Maccelli. The goal was Maccelli’s second assist in as many games.

Kirkland celebrates after first Heat goal of the season – Photo by Jack Lima

Stockton kicked into high gear for the opening of the second period, at the 14 second mark, on Walker Duehr’s goal, followed less than 2 minutes later by Jakob Pelletier.

Tucson’s Cam Dineen’s goal early in the third period brought them within a point. But despite the extra skater for the last minute, they could not get past Wolf. The Heat took the win for game two, with a final score of 3-2.