STOCKTON, Calif. – In their final home game of the season, the Stockton Heat (44-14-5-2) lost in overtime to the Abbotsford Canucks (38-21-5-1) with a final score of 5-4.
Game opening face-off with Byron Froese (18) and John Stevens (16) – Photo by Jack Lima
In the first period, Justin Kirkland scored his 25th goal of the season at the 8:34 mark on a power play. Andy Welinski and Jakob Pelletier were credited with the assist. Kirkland extended his goal streak to four games, a career best. But the Canucks would even the score at 15:44, when a pass from John Stevens to Jarid Lukosevicious beat Daniil Chechelev in the Stockton net.
Jarid Lukosevicius (14) scores a goal past Heat goalie Daniil Chechelev – Photo by Jack Lima
Canucks forward Justin Dowling scored at 3:25 into the second, to give them their first lead of the game. But goals off the sticks of Matthew Phillips and Glenn Gawdin would give that lead back to the Heat. Phillips became the first player in Stockton Heat history and the first Flames prospect to reach 30 goals in an AHL season since Krys Kolonos of the Abbotsford Heat in 2011-12.
Glenn Gawdin (21) tips a shot past Canucks’ goalie Michael DiPietro – Photo by Jack Lima
In the third period, Justin Bailey tied the game with his goal at 9:59, followed by Bryon Froese’s, go-ahead power play goal at 11:05. Then, at 16:32, Dowling found the net again, and forced the overtime.
Canucks’ goalie Michael lays on top of the puck to make a save during third period action – Photo by Jack Lima
The Canucks would come up the victors, when Sheldon Rempal’s shot at 3:26 into the overtime period would beat Chechelev in the Stockton net. John Stevens was credited with the assist.
Pelletier had a career-best four points, including a helper on all three of the Heats goals, giving him 35 assists for the season.
Matthew Phillips (Center) celebrates his 30th goal of the season – Photo by Jack Lima
Stockton’s Chechelev made his AHL debut this game, finishing with 28 saves and an assist following a call up from the Kansas City Mavericks on 4/11/22.
Canucks goaltender Michael DiPietro earned the win, with 26 saves.
Walker Duehr (34) tries to control a rebound from a scrum in front on the net – Photo by Jack Lima
With the point earned in the game, the Heat have tied the 2016-17 Barracuda for most points in a season by a Pacific Division team with 95.
Marc Gatcomb (17) skates the puck up ice – Photo by Jack Lima
The Heat will finish out their season with three road games. Their next chance to clinch the Pacific Division title is on Saturday, at the Bakersfield Condors.
Canucks’ goalie Michael stops a shot from Eetu Tuulola (25) – Photo by Jack Lima
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