HENDERSON, Nev. – The Stockton Heat (43-12-6) inched two additional points closer to hopes of securing the Pacific Division Title, and a first-round bye in the playoffs, with an overtime win 4-3 over the Henderson Silver Knights (29-28-5). The Heat have a magic number of six now. The Silver Knights had a commanding 3-1 lead midway through the third period, but were not able to close the deal, before a home crowd of 4,864.
Luke Philp (39) celebrates with Byron Froese who scored the game winning overtime goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Both teams played loosely on both ends of the net, giving up the puck in offensive zones and taking penalties. The first three goals on the night were all scored during a powerplay, two for Henderson and one for Stockton. Confusion mounted late in the game, when a waved off goal for Stockton was ultimately reviewed by officials and amounted to the game tying goal to force the overtime.
Silver Knights’ Captain Brayden Pachal (94) fights for puck possession with Eetu Tuulola (25) and Alex Gallant (on ice) – Photo by Jack Lima
Goaltender Jiri Patera (8-11, and .902 GAA) performed solidly in the net for the Silver Knights, ultimately saving 41 shots on goal for the game. His performance included multiple acrobatic saves that gave the Silver Knights the edge for the first 50 minutes of the game.
Silver Knights’ goalie Jiri Patera (30) stops a shot by Matthew Phillips (11) – Photo by Jack Lima
The Silver Knights opened the scoring at 11:51 into the first period with a powerplay goal off the stick of Brendan Brisson. Brisson, during his first professional game, on his first professional shot, after leaving University of Michigan, caught a pass from Kaedan Korczak at the bottom of the right circle and wristed the puck past Adam Werner in the net for Stockton. Henderson led 1-0 going into the first intermission.
Walker Duehr (34) battles Layton Ahac (44) along the boards – Photo by Jack Lima
The Silver Knights would extend their lead to two at 8:24 into the second period, when Daniil Miromanov’s powerplay shot from the left center circle ricocheted off the post into the net. The goal was his eleventh of the season.
Matthew Phillips scored for the Heat on a powerplay late in the second, to finally put the Heat on the board. His shot from close range found the back of the net, with an assist to Jakob Pelletier. The Heat still trailed 2-1 after two.
Silver Knights’ goalie Jiri Patera (30) reaches back to stop a shot by Byron Froese (18) – Photo by Jack Lima
Of the seven-man advantage opportunities for Stockton, they only capitalized on one, while Henderson scored on two of four chances.
In the third period, Ben Thomson scored after the puck was left behind by Jack Dugan at the 4:40 mark, giving Henderson the 3-1 advantage.
Kaeden Korczak (6) cross checks Byron Froese (18) into goalie Jiri Patera – Photo by Jack Lima
Stockton outshot Henderson most of the game, despite the score, 14-7, 17-11 and 13-5 respectively. The Heat offense finally found a way to solve Patera in the Silver Knights net. Their first goal came off the stick of Emilio Pettersen, when he hit the net from the top of the right circle through traffic. Then, fourteen seconds later, Eetu Tuulola scored from just outside the crease, but the puck went in and out so quickly, that the officials waved it off and play continued for four minutes, until the Heat could contest the call. The officials ultimately awarded the Stockton goal and credited the four minutes to the clock and play resumed. At the end of regulation, the score was knotted at 3-3.
Byron Froese (18) falls to the ice as Emillio Pettersens’ (not pictured) shot eludes goalie Jiri Patera for the Heat’s second goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Only 44 seconds into the overtime period, Heat Captain Byron Froese scored on a quick shot from the slot near the crease, to give the Heat the 4-3 win.
Heat’s netminder Adam Werner (11-5-2) took the win for the game, with 20 saves.
Both teams continue their series with game two on Friday evening, April 15, at The Dollar Loan Center, in Henderson. The Heat are 3-1-2-0 against the Silver Knights this season.
Brendan Brisson (24) tries to tip a puck past Heat goalie Adam Werner (35) as Connor Zary (47) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
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