Heat’s David Rittich earns shutout over Rampage

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Heat (6-3-1) split a pair of games over the weekend with the San Antonio Rampage (6-8-0).

While the much relied upon goaltender Jon Gillies has been out with finger issues, it has given other goalies a chance to step up. Czech Republic native David Rittich got the go-ahead for both games over the weekend, giving a good show, but just not getting the necessary offence in front of him for game one, which resulted in a 4-1 loss. The second night his teammates helped him to earn his first win and first shutout for the season in a 3-0 win.

San Antonio’s Rocco Grimaldi (22) opens the scoring Friday night with a shot past Stockton Goalie David Rittich – Photo by Jack Lima

In the first game, despite a 31-22 advantage in shots on goal, the Heat could not get solve Spencer Martin in the Rampage net. Their solo goal provided during a power play, when Andrew Mangiapane’s shot scored during the second period. Mark Jankowski and Daniel Pribyl earned assists on the shot.

Rampage goals came off the sticks of Rocco Grimaldi, Duncan Siemens, Troy Bourke and A.J. Greer.

San Antonio’s Anton Lindholm (54) draws a tripping penalty from Stockton’s Matt Bailey (22) – Photo by Jack Lima

In Saturday’s game, the Heat scored a goal in all three periods. Jamie Devane scored this first goal of the season on a brilliant wraparound when he caught the loose to the side of the net, then brought it around back and poked it past Martin and the post. Heat newcomer Keith Aulie also earned an assist on the play.

Heat defenceman Keith Aulie (43) tries to clear the puck away from Shawn Ouellette-St. Amant – Photo by Jack Lima

Tyler Wotherspoon sunk a rebound from the slot in the second period. Jankowski’s assist marked his seventh consecutive game earning a point.

In the third period, Pribyl’s shot from Wotherspoon beat Martin in the net to put the Heat up by three. Despite San Antonio pulling their goalie for the extra skater, Rittich stopped everything that came at him for Stockton.

Troy Bourke (L) battles Ryan Lomberg for the puck – Photo by Jack Lima

Devane commented after the game on his goal in game two, “We made a point that we wanted to get guys to the net and get traffic on the goalie. We weren’t doing that last night, so we had all three guys there in front of the net and I just got a rebound and saw the goalie was down, so did a wraparound.”

Stockton Goalie David Rittich makes a save – Photo by Jack Lima

David Rittich spoke briefly after earning the shutout, “I’m excited to get my first win in North America and shutouts are great, but more importantly for us, it’s two important points. Getting to play in back-to-back games let me settle in and find my groove, rather than just playing a single game every once in a while.”

The Heat host the Ontario Reign for their first of eight games this season next Friday, while the Rampage will return home to host San Jose on Tuesday.