Heat win their home opener, start season undefeated
The regular season is finally here. The Stockton Heat opened in Colorado, sweeping the two-game set over the Eagles. The Heat never trailed during the weekend, winning 5-2 and 4-2.
Stockton Heat split pre-season set with Bakersfield Condors
While the Calgary Flames pre-season comes to an end, hockey is finally back for the Stockton faithful. Time to bring the jerseys back into the primary closet, get a new notebook for the season, pack up a few pens (have to have back up) in my game Go Bag, and get back into the swing…
Another season, another Finest visit
With just over 50 days until the puck drops on the 15th season of hockey in Stockton, the Heat are not the only ones planning for the new season. For us, in addition to our full slate of home games for the new season, there are a few major items that need to be confirmed:…
A look at AHL free agency, part two (Electric Boogaloo)
While all of the attention is concentrated on signing Matthew Tkachuk, David Rittich, Sam Bennett, and Andrew Mangiapane, the cap-strapped Calgary Flames still have some work to do to stock the farm.
Looking at minor league UFA targets for the Stockton Heat
July 1 – the day where National Hockey League teams can sign that missing piece or two they think will help them in the pursuit of a Stanley Cup. It is also the day where teams start to fill their American Hockey League rosters with players cast off by others in order to accommodate their…
Pondering the future of Heat hockey in Stockton
As the Calgary Flames continue their preparation for the draft, trades, and free agency, there is one more important matter to secure, at least for Mrs. Finest and me. October will begin the fifth and final year of the contract between the City of Stockton, Stockton Arena, and the Calgary Flames. The City of Stockton…
What if Stockton’s Finest ran the Stockton Heat?
With the Calgary Flames ending their season prematurely, the speculation on what the lineup will look like next year is about 90% set already. The same cannot be said for the Stockton Heat. With most players’ contracts expiring at the end of June, the Heat’s roster looks to be only about 10% filled.
Stockton Heat season in one word: Meh
As the seconds ticked off the clock on Stockton’s season Sunday, Heat fans were left wondering what went askew. The offseason moves brought so much promise and anticipation that gradually faded into yet another disappointing year of missing the playoffs for the Flames’ top affiliate.
Tucson sweeps two from Stockton – no Heat playoffs
On Friday, the Stockton Heat had an opportunity to remain in the Calder Cup playoff hunt, albeit an outside chance. The team directly above them, the Tucson Roadrunners, came into Stockton sporting a 1-6-1 record in their last eight games. After going 6-2-0-1 in their last eight, Stockton had set itself up for a late…
The Heat push to the playoffs – 11 games to go
Last week was a good one for the Stockton Heat but it ended on a sour note. They welcomed Michael Stone (on a conditioning stint) for some much-needed defensive help, albeit for what may be only five games. Dating back to last weekend, they took two out of three games against San Diego, a team…
San Diego ends Stockton’s home win streak after weekend split
Over the past two weeks, the Heat had won three of their past four games by playing a simple game where all three areas – offense, defense, and goaltending – were clicking, except for a three-minute spurt in Ontario that cost them two valuable points. Although they gave up the first goal in each of…
Stockton Heat clip Colorado Eagles twice
On Saturday, both the Heat and Mrs. Finest and I returned to Stockton Arena from a road trip. While I went 0-1-0-1 (and Mrs. Finest went 1-0-0-1), the Heat went 1-3-0-0 on their road trip, keeping them in sixth in the division, a whopping 11 points from a playoff spot. The good news is they welcomed…