Stockton Heat winless against San Jose Barracuda

Stockton played a home and home series with the San Jose Barracuda this weekend, which was bad news for the Heat. Someone asked me who owns the Heat? I said “Owns… Owns…” San Jose owns the Heat, as Stockton had a 0-8 record against their Northern California rivals going into the weekend.

On Friday, most of the play was in the Heat zone, as pictured below.

The Stockton faithful cheered when Jon Gillies got yanked after he gave up four goals on 17 shots in 23+ minutes, his sixth hook of the season. Tyler Parsons came in and held the fort while Stockton chipped away to finally tie it up at four with goals from Curtis Lazar, Tyler Graovac, Dillon Dube, and Juuso Valamaki, who buried home a top shelf snipe for his first Heat goal.

But all was for naught, as Alexander True beat Parsons on a wraparound goal with seven minutes left, which became the eventual game winner. A late goal by San Jose sent the 4,500+ frustrated fans home feeling sad. It’s too bad when a goalie (Parsons) gives up two goals on 22 shots (0.903 – 3.03) and gets saddled with the loss while the starter (Gillies) allows four goals, goes 0.765 and 9.11, and gets a no decision. No justice.

Quotes from Friday’s game can be found here.

On Saturday in San Jose, Parsons got the start and held the Barracuda scoreless through the first 19:59. The goal that was waved off on the ice went to replay and was overturned. The puck is clearly not across the line while the end of period light is on.

Anthony Peluso knotted the score at one with his third of the season, but San Jose took a one-goal advantage midway through the middle frame. In a bizarre world, Peluso potted a goal while “Rocky” Lazar got into his first fight as a Heat member when he dropped the mitts with True late in the second period.

In the third, Spencer Foo evened the score with a power play marker (with an assist from Parsons), but the Barracuda had toyed with the Heat long enough and closed the door with two goals, one an empty netter, to send the Heat back to Stockton winless in 10 games this season. We are their bitch.

No highlights were available for Saturday’s game.

Poster Stu Gotz asked me if the problem was Gillies or weak defense. The answer: both. The offense is doing its job, as the Heat ranks seventh in the league in goals scored with 156 and tied for fourth on the man advantage with a 22.7% power play. Defensively, Stockton is dead last (31st) in goals allowed with 183 (12 more than the Ontario Reign) and tied for 29th with a 77.2% penalty kill.

While the defense is bad, the goalies need to be better, especially Gillies. All three goalies play in front of the same defense yet only Gillies is sporting a losing record and a goals against average above four.

It’s finally here! This week Mrs. Finest and I are headed to the Great White North to see the Flames and Sharks on Thursday and jet on over to Vancouver to see the Flames visit the Canucks on Saturday. I see you set out the ice carpet for our arrival.

After polling Flames Nation a few months back, Mrs. F will be sporting her Inaugural season Sharks jersey, as she is a Flames fan against all teams not named the Sharks. But fear not, she will have on Stockton gear under her jersey to represent, along with a game-worn Garnet Hathaway Heat jersey for Vancouver.

Come meet us at Naina’s Kitchen on 17th starting at 5 p.m. Thursday and then a live postgame discussion after the game at Jameson’s Pub on 17th. Who needs to post in Ryan Pike’s recap when you can do it live with your fellow Flames Nation posters (just kidding Ryan!). We can discuss all of the comments as they come in.

On Saturday, we will be at Devil’s Elbow across from the arena for some pregame drinks and discussion starting again at 5 p.m. After the game, more postgame reactions and discussion will be had at Red Racer Brewery and Distillery (formally Central City Brewing).