Pacific Division Heat sets record standings points

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Stockton Heat (45-15-5-2) defeated the San Diego Gulls (28-32-4-2) at Pechanga arena in a 4-1 matchup, that helped them to set a record for the most standings points by an AHL Pacific Division team with 97. Emilio Pettersen had three points for the night with a pair of goals and an assist.

Wallker Duehr (34) opened the scoring with this shot on goal – Photo by Jack Lima

In the first period, a pair of Stockton goals put the Heat up by two, but a late Gulls goal closed the gap to leave the teams 2-1 going into the first intermission. Walker Duehr scored his eleventh goal of the season two minutes into the game, when his shot right the slot beat Lukas Dostal in the Gulls net. Then, during a 5-3 Stockton powerplay, Nick DeSimone buried the puck through traffic from the slot at 16:56. With only 17 seconds left, San Diego’s Brent Gates Jr. shot from the bottom of the circle and solved Adam Werner in the Stockton net.

Wallker Duehr (34) gets checked into the boards by Jacob Larsson – Photo by Jack Lima

Pettersen scored both the Heat goals in the second period. His first goal came with 12:27 remaining. His patience back and forth across the crease paid off when his shot went into the net up high. He scored again with 3:57 remaining in the period, when a pass from Eetu Tuulola was slammed in, giving the Heat the 4-1 lead over the Gulls.

Heat goalie Adam Werner stops a shot attempt by Bryce Kindopp (16) – Photo by Jack Lima

Both teams were scoreless in the final stanza. The Heat held on for the 4-1 win over the Gulls for the game. Werner earned the win with 26 saves for his effort.

Emilio Pettersen scored two goals in the second period – Photo by Jack Lima

Stockton finished the season 6-2 against the Gulls this season.

Stockton returns for their final game of the regular season on Saturday at Bakersfield. The Gulls finish their season with two games on the road against Tucson.