HGD 18: AHL hockey in the centre of the universe (12pm MT, AHL TV)

The Stockton Heat lost to three of their four Canadian Division rivals during their recent six-game losing streak.

The Belleville Senators, Laval Rocket, and Manitoba Moose all emerged victorious at Stockton’s expense over that lengthy span. The Heat finally stopped the skid on Saturday, blowing out the B-Sens by a 7-1 score.

Stockton will look to continue that positive progress on Monday with a clash against a welcome opponent. After beating the Heat in back-to-back contests to open the season, the Toronto Marlies have lost the last four games they’ve played against Stockton. They’re the only Canadian team Stockton didn’t face (and lose to) during the streak.

Right now, the Heat need that sort of favourable matchup. Still, they needn’t get too comfortable—Toronto also decisively won its last game after snapping a long losing streak.

Marlies goaltender Joseph Woll recorded a 24-save shutout in Toronto’s last game, a 3-0 win over Belleville on Mar. 24. Jeremy McKenna, Joey Anderson, and Scott Pooley scored for the Marlies in the victory.

Seven different players lit the lamp for Stockton in its most recent game. Colton Poolman, Giorgio Estephan, Glenn Gawdin, Connor Mackey, Greg Moro, Luke Philp, and Byron Froese all scored while Artyom Zagidulin made 34 saves on 35 shots.

Adam Ruzicka – Glenn Gawdin – Matthew Phillips
Emilio Pettersen – Luke Philp – Dmitry Zavgorodniy
Giorgio Estephan – Byron Froese – Eetu Tuulola
Kris Bennett – Justin Kirkland – Colton Beck

Connor Mackey – Zac Leslie
Colton Poolman – Alexander Yelesin
CJ Lerby – Greg Moro

Artyom Zagidulin
Garret Sparks

Injured: Martin Pospisil (knee); Alex Gallant (lower body—day-to-day).

Kenny Agostino – Nic Petan – Jeremy McKenna
Adam Brooks – Kalle Kossila – Joey Anderson
Bobby McMann – Tyler Gaudet – Scott Pooley
Rich Clune – Rourke Chartier – Justin Brazeau

Martin Marincin – Timothy Liljegren
Calle Rosen – Riley McCourt
Noel Hoefenmayer – Joseph Duszak

Joseph Woll
Angus Redmond

Stockton — Adam Ruzicka (seven goals, 16 points in 17 games); Luke Philp (seven goals, 15 points in 17 games); Matthew Phillips (six goals, 15 points in 17 games); Martin Pospisil (five goals, 11 points in 14 games); Emilio Pettersen (four goals, 10 points in 16 games).

Toronto — Tyler Gaudet (five goals, 14 points in 17 games); Adam Brooks (three goals, 12 points in 16 games); Kenny Agostino (three goals, 11 points in 11 games); Teemu Kivihalme (five goals, nine points in 14 games); Joey Anderson (six goals, nine points in 17 games).

Stockton — Emilio Pettersen. Stockton’s uber-talented rookie is still trying to find consistency at the AHL level. He scored goals in three consecutive games from Mar. 6 to 10 but has been held to just a single assist in the seven contests, since.

Pettersen’s two linemates could not be having less similar seasons. Luke Philp has been a model of consistency for the Heat and currently ranks second on the Heat in scoring; meanwhile, Dmitry Zavgorodniy has not yet scored a point in his 17 AHL games. Pettersen getting back on track could be key in helping Zavgorodniy finally break out of his slump.

Toronto — Joseph Woll. Remember Andrew D’Agostini, the undrafted 27-year-old goalie who dominated the Heat in the first two games of the season? Well, Joseph Woll has since returned to the Marlies and is coming off a shutout in his most recent appearance.

In other words: the Heat will need to be ready to fire a lot of shots on goal. Woll only had to make 23 saves in Mar. 24’s clean sheet. Toronto selected the towering 22-year-old goaltender 62nd overall in the 2016 Draft; since then, he’s been inconsistent in the AHL after putting forth three solid years as Boston College’s starter.

This game will be broadcast on AHLTV.com (subscription required), with the opening puck-drop set for noon MT. Live game updates can be found on Twitter at @miketgould or online at TheAHL.com.