HGD 27: Gunning for payback against the streaking Moose (12:00 pm MT, AHL TV)

The Stockton Heat have lost four consecutive games. The Manitoba Moose have won four in a row.

Either both streaks continue on Saturday afternoon, or neither will. That outcome will be determined at 12:00 pm MT when the Heat and Moose meet for the second instalment of a five-game series.

Tyler Parsons and Walker Duehr both made their season debuts for the Heat in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Moose. Parsons made 20 saves on 25 shots in his first professional game since Mar. 6, 2020.

Matthew Phillips scored a goal on Thursday and moved into first place on the Heat with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 26 games. Glenn Gawdin also tallied for Stockton in the setback.

With Josh Leivo out of the Calgary Flames’ lineup due to COVID-19 protocols, it remains to be seen whether the NHL club will make any corresponding roster moves. If so, the Heat might see some changes to their lineup before Saturday’s contest.

Dmitry Zavgorodniy – Adam Ruzicka – Matthew Phillips
Emilio Pettersen – Glenn Gawdin – Luke Philp
Colton Beck – Byron Froese – Eetu Tuulola
Alex Gallant – Mark Simpson – Walker Duehr

Connor Mackey – Alex Petrovic
Yan Kuznetsov – Zac Leslie
Colton Poolman – Alexander Yelesin

Tyler Parsons
Garret Sparks

Jeff Malott – David Gustafsson – Nathan Todd
Joona Luoto – Dominic Toninato – Kristian Reichel
Peter Krieger – Cole Perfetti – Skyler McKenzie
Bobby Lynch – Cole Maier – Nick Jones

Dylan Samberg – Johnathan Kovacevik
Hayden Shaw – Nelson Nogier
Adam Brubacher – Leon Gawanke

Mikhail Berdin
Cole Kehler

Stockton — Matthew Phillips (eight goals, 20 points in 26 games); Adam Ruzicka (10 goals, 19 points in 24 games); Luke Philp (eight goals, 16 points in 26 games); Connor Mackey (three goals, 16 points in 26 games); Glenn Gawdin (four goals, 13 points in 22 games).

Manitoba — Nathan Todd (eight goals, 23 points in 25 games); Cole Perfetti (seven goals, 18 points in 25 games); Jeff Malott (12 goals, 17 points in 23 games); David Gustafsson (three goals, 12 points in 11 games); Declan Chisholm (two goals, 11 points in 24 games).

Stockton — Walker Duehr. On Apr. 11, Duehr signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Flames. Despite the deal not taking effect until the 2021-22 season, Duehr reported to the Heat on an amateur try-out and made his season debut on Thursday.

Duehr received ample playing time on Stockton’s power play unit in the loss, being tasked to use his 6’3″ frame to create space for his teammates to operate. He spent the last four seasons playing for the Minnesota State Mavericks, including three as a teammate of current Heat defenseman Connor Mackey.

Manitoba — Nathan Todd. Where did this guy come from? Todd turns 26 in December and entered this season with just one AHL goal to his name in 27 contests split between three teams.

In 2016-17, Todd recorded just two points in 10 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) games with the Carleton Ravens. Just four seasons later, he’s leading the Manitoba Moose in scoring and looks to finally be in line to earn his first NHL contract.

Todd registered three assists in Manitoba’s 5-2 win over Stockton on Thursday.

This game will be broadcast on AHLTV.com (subscription required), with the opening puck-drop set for 12:00 pm MT. Live game updates can be found on Twitter at @miketgould or online at TheAHL.com.