CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Stockton Heat their Texas roadtrip with a solid game that included a Brett Pollock hat-trick and a pair of goals from Spencer Foo ending with a 6-2 win over the Stars.
Brett Pollock (23) celebrates his hat trick goal with Rasmus Andersson (14) who assisted on the goal – Photo by Jack Lima
The Stars posted the first goal of the night, only 2:32 into the first period when Samuel Laberge’s one-timer goal beat Jon Gillies in the net from the slot. Both Justin Dowling and Julius Honka were credited with the assists.
Stockton’s Spencer Foo scored his first goal of two, late in the period, when he was able to redirect the puck to the net. Olivier Kylington and Cody Goloubef had an assist on the goal. But it was only 24 seconds later, when the Stars Austin Flynn wristed the puck past Gillies to give the Stars the 2-1 lead going into the first intermission.
Brett Pollock (23) shoots the puck past Stars’ goalie Landon Bow for his second goal of the game – Photo by Jack Lima
In the second period, the Heat started off with what appeared to be a goal, but was waved off by the referee just under two minutes into the period. Upon explanation, it appears there may have been some sort of interferance.
The Heat offense continued to drive to the net and were finally rewarded with a goal at 4:34 by Brett Pollock, that would knot the teams at two goals each.
Emile Poirier skates the puck up ice during second period action – Photo by Jack Lima
The energy continued for the Heat into the third period, as Colby Robak’s pass from across the crease to a waiting Pollack was wristed in, glove side, beating Landon Bow in the net, giving the Heat their first lead of the game. Rasmas Andersson and McKenzie dropped the gloves about midway into the period, but the momentum continued for the Heat, after the two served their time.
Heat forward Austin Carroll (20) avoids a check by Stars’ defenseman Niklas Hansson (33) – Photo by Jack Lima
Stockton was on a penalty kill, when Foo picked up the puck in the neutral zone and raced towards the net for the goal, and ultimately crashed into the net following the goal.
With 5:21 remaining in the game, Pollock scored his third goal and first hat-trick, when Andersson passed him a shot across the crease while he waited at the bottom of the circle. The final goal came when Bow was pulled from the net, and Robak shot through traffic for the 6-2 win over the Stars.
Heat forward Spencer Foo (15) scores a short handed goal during third period action – Photo by Jack Lima
The hat trick helped to bring Pollock to four goals this season, and he was feeling pretty good after the game.
“I feel great. The last few games I have finally been feeling myself again just trying to play simple and go to the net and play hard. I got a few bounces tonight so it feels pretty good.”
Heat coach Ryan Huska spoke breifly after the game regarding Pollocks hat trick.
“It was nice to see. Especially Brett. It is a feel-good moment for him. He has been in and out of the dog-house if you want to call it that. He keeps working hard and he has a good skill set. It was nice for him to see some results because he has been working hard over the last little while and he has given us a little more offensive punch, so we are really happy for him.”
Stockton outshot the Stars 30-22 for the night, while Gillies earned another win the Stockton net with 28 saves.
Spencer Foo takes a shot on goal which resulted in a first period goal- Photo by Jack Lima
The two teams will come back tomorrow for another game.
Other notable mentions, the Calgary Flames sent back Andrew Mangiapane, Ryan Lomberg and Marek Hrivik earlier today, however they were still in travel during this game. Additionally, the Dallas Stars had sent three down today including Dillon Heatherington, Jason Dickinson and Julius Honka, all three dressed fro tonights game.
Rasmus Andersson (14) fights Curtis McKenzie (16) during third period action – Photo by Jack Lima
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