STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Heat made a great run at the end of the season, working to earn enough in the standings to grab that last playoff place, but on the last day, the last game, it just didn’t work in their favor, as the San Jose Barracuda’s two goal second period gave them the 2-1 win they needed. With the loss of the San Diego Gulls on the same night to the Tucson Roadrunners, the Barracuda secured the final playoff position. The Roadrunners took the first place position and will face the Barracuda in San Jose for the Calder Cup beginning on Thursday, April 19.
Barracuda’s goalie Antoine Bibeau makes one of his thirty one saves on a shot by Colin Smith (37) – Photo by Jack Lima
The two Barracuda goals came off the stick of Alexander True only a few minutes apart. The first goal was off a rush, where the first shot was a rebound, but a puck left on the doorstep was ultimately pushed into the net. Brandon Mashinter was credited on the assist. The second goal less than four minutes late, came when Colby McAuley’s pass from the far side corner into the high slot was one-timed past Jon Gillies in the net. Ivan Chekhovich was also credited with an assist. Antoine Bibeau in the net put up a solid game, blocking 31 shots on net from Stockton for the win.
The single Stockton goal was Brett Findlay’s twelfth of the season and the only goal for the Heat. A pass from Josh Healey from the glass is backhanded by Findlay, through the five-hole. Dalton Prout was also credited on the assist. Gillies was in the net with 28 saves for the night.
Stockton Coach Ryan Huska said after the game, “We needed to [win] and that’s the unfortunate thing that we weren’t able to find a way to get it done. I thought their goaltender was really good early. He made some great saves that our group needed to capitalize on those chances early on.”
In addition to the game, Stockton handed out player awards for the year.
Andrew Mangiapane – Team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year
Rasmus Andersson – Defensive Player of the Year
Spencer Foo – Rookie of the Year
Rod Pelley – Unsung Hero
Luke Gazdic and Morgan Klimchuk – Heats Community Service Award
Ryan Lomberg – Fan Favorite by the Heat Fans
With the Stockton Heat’s season at an end, though not the way the fans had hoped, Huska spoke about the 2017-18 season overall.
“I liked our group. I’m disappointed for them, because it would have been neat to see them in a playoff run. Rod Pelley and his group of leaders were excellent to work with and I thought we had a good group of guys that worked hard for each other.”
“We basically missed out on a playoff opportunity by one game. So, there’s different stretches over the course regular season, whether that be October, November, December, where I think, looking back at it now, a better understanding that every time you step on the ice matters. One of those games, that’s the difference right now for us. That’s the hard part to swallow right now.”
Spencer Foo tries to tip a shot past Barracuda’s goalie Antoine Bibeau – Photo by Jack Lima
Mike McMurtry (7) battles Rourke Chartier (60) for possession of the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Heat goalie Jon Gillies makes a save on a shot by Adam Helewka (46) – Photo by Jack Lima
Heat goalie Jon Gillies makes a save on a shot by Adam Helewka (46) – Photo by Jack Lima
Brett Findlay celebrates the Heat’s only goal as referee Peter MacDougall makes the goal call – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s goalie Antoine Bibeau makes a save on a shot from Heat defenseman Rasmus Andersson (14) – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s defenseman Julius Bergman (63) blocks a shot attempt by Heat forward Ryan Lomberg (41) – Photo by Jack Lima
Barracuda’s center Alexander True (70) opens the scoring in the second period with a goal past Heat goalie Jon Gillies – Photo by Jack Lima
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