<p>The Toronto Marlies got a taste of their own medicine on Friday afternoon.</p>
<p></p>
<p>After destroying the temporarily-relocated Stockton Heat by 7-1 and 5-1 scores earlier this week in the first two AHL games played in the Scotiabank Saddledome this season, the Marlies dropped a 4-2 decision to the Heat on Wednesday before being blown out on Friday.</p>
<p>In the final game of their lengthy home series against the Marlies, the Heat scored six goals by the time their opponents had mustered six shots. Fresh off his electric 36-save performance in Wednesday&#8217;s win, Heat goaltender Dustin Wolf had a quieter night in his crease. The 19-year-old <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanNPike/status/1365435030143574016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1365435030143574016%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.calgarypuck.com%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D182029page%3D4">WHL-bound</a> keeper made 26 saves on 27 shots en route to his second professional victory.</p>
<p>Instead, Stockton&#8217;s big guns stole the show. Adam Ruzicka and the &#8220;Killer Ps&#8221;—Emilio Pettersen, Matthew Phillips, and Martin Pospisil—all had multiple points for the Heat, while rookie centre Mark Simpson chipped in the first two goals of his professional career.</p>
<p>The Heat ultimately took this one by an 8-1 score, a result that accurately represents their level of play in the game. Here&#8217;s how it all went down.</p>
<h2><strong>The rundown</strong></h2>
<p>The Heat went two-for-four on the power play on Wednesday and they received no shortage of opportunities to continue that trend on Friday.</p>
<p>Marlies forward Bobby McMann took a tripping penalty just 1:33 into regulation and, although the Heat couldn&#8217;t capitalize, the infraction set the tone for the rest of the game. After former Anaheim Duck and current Marlie forward Kalle Kossila got called for a hook at 6:07, the Heat went right back to work and converted.</p>
<p>First-year pro Emilio Pettersen opened the scoring with a tremendous display of hand-eye coordination, batting a puck into the net out of mid-air after a point shot by Alex Petrovic had bounced skyward off Marlies goaltender Andrew D&#8217;Agostini.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> prospect Emilio Pettersen with a delicious goal, the first of his professional career. </p>
<p>He opens the scoring for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> on the power play. It remains 1-0 midway through the first period. <a href="https://t.co/jwaRMkEyH0">pic.twitter.com/jwaRMkEyH0</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365413230894579713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Pettersen&#8217;s goal gave the Heat their first 1-0 lead of the year, but it wouldn&#8217;t last. Just under four minutes later, Marlies defenseman Timothy Liljegren sent a wrister towards Wolf&#8217;s cage that beat the screened goaltender.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dunno if Wolf ever saw this shot from Liljegren but, alas. It&#39;s 1-1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/hklXpii1TE">pic.twitter.com/hklXpii1TE</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365414370805571585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Pettersen continued to stand out after his goal on Friday, making active plays in both the offensive and defensive zones for Stockton. He was eventually named the third star of the game.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Emilio Pettersen with a turnover at the offensive blue line (bad) but a nice recovery on the backcheck (good!)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> <a href="https://t.co/0rMgo38DUv">pic.twitter.com/0rMgo38DUv</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365415116905148417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Stockton regained its one-goal lead late in the opening frame, and it came from an unlikely source. 25-year-old centre Mark Simpson, fresh off a four-year tenure with the U. of New Brunswick Reds, has been in and out of the Heat lineup to begin the season and has been deployed primarily in a defensive role.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, it was Simpson who managed to get a piece of a long shot by Zac Leslie, changing its direction enough to elude D&#8217;Agostini. Simpson&#8217;s first goal as a professional eventually would stand as the game-winner.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice tip by Simpson, fresh off a four-year tenure with the U. of New Brunswick. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> lead 2-1 off the big centre&#39;s first pro goal. <a href="https://t.co/ASPnVpy9nV">pic.twitter.com/ASPnVpy9nV</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365416649168330752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Just over a minute later, the Heat found some insurance. Check out the fancy footwork from Matthew Phillips to set up Adam Ruzicka for a back-door tap-in.</p>
<p>This goal was the third in just two games for the Ruzicka-Phillips combination, and there was more to come.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Holy mama, Matthew Phillips. What a play to set up Adam Ruzicka&#39;s third goal in two games. Connor Mackey picks up the other (well-deserved) helper.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> lead 3-1 late in the first. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/XprUh5xCWW">pic.twitter.com/XprUh5xCWW</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365417384199155712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Heat exited the first period leading 3-1 and up 10-3 on the shot clock. They quickly picked up where they left off after the intermission, with Luke Philp adding to the lead with a power play goal just 1:05 into the second frame.</p>
<p>Dmitry Zavgorodniy, jostling for position in front of D&#8217;Agostini, picked up his first professional point with a primary assist on Philp&#8217;s goal.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luke Philp gets his second of the year, Dmitry Zavgorodniy  picks up his first AHL point on the play. At this point, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHL</a> heat led 4-1&#8230; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/BwqOpW7yOM">pic.twitter.com/BwqOpW7yOM</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365424164631244800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>From there, it quickly turned into a rout. With Connor Zary and Kristians Rubins both in the box on offsetting penalties, the game moved to a four-on-four environment for two minutes and Ruzicka quickly took advantage.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Ruzicka is pretty good at this whole four-on-four hockey thing. 5-1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/i7Tbf9KY28">pic.twitter.com/i7Tbf9KY28</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365424829067792384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Moments later, Ruzicka came inches away from getting his first hat trick as a professional. Despite the near miss, his line continued to apply pressure and controlled play for a whole minute in the Marlies&#8217; zone.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am posting this entire <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> shift because you all deserve to see it.</p>
<p>Masterful stuff by the Zary/Ruzicka/Phillips line. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/ui4lTaVRoS">pic.twitter.com/ui4lTaVRoS</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365426563987087360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Simpson then scored his second of the night (and as an AHLer) to make it a 6-1 game. Bonus points to Flames 2020 first rounder Zary for his amazing pass to find Simpson in the slot.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a play by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> prospect Connor Zary to set up <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> rookie Mark Simpson for his second goal of the night (and his pro career)</p>
<p>Incredible vision by the 2020 first-rounder. Nice finish by the former UNB Red. 6-1 Heat. <a href="https://t.co/AJSscGvS9H">pic.twitter.com/AJSscGvS9H</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365427675028889600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Just as a reminder, at this point, the game had yet to reach its halfway mark.</p>
<p>The Heat made it 7-1 at the 12:40 mark of the period when Martin Pospisil out-waited D&#8217;Agostini before placing a perfect wrister over the sprawled Marlies goaltender.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Really like Pettersen&#39;s movement on this shift. Nice pass by Leslie to set up Pospisil for his first of the year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> lead 7-1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/DAvW2zAsIh">pic.twitter.com/DAvW2zAsIh</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365429616974815233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>To cap things off in the middle period, Phillips made a ridiculous move to score a power play goal in the dying minutes. Surprise, surprise: Ruzicka assisted on the 8-1 tally.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think I would break both my wrists if I tried to pull off this move that Matthew Phillips just made.</p>
<p>It&#39;s 8-1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> after two periods. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/erbGrQ9Mwe">pic.twitter.com/erbGrQ9Mwe</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365431977969508353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>With the game largely decided entering the third period, things began to heat up.</p>
<p>Pospisil completed his first AHL Gordie Howe hat-trick in the final 20, taking exception to a knee-on-knee hit thrown on Phillips by Marlies forward Colt Conrad. Phillips fell to the ice and Pospisil immediately lunged at Conrad to stick up for his team&#8217;s star.</p>
<p>The heavily-penalized incident ended Pospisil&#8217;s night but earned him the praise of his coach in the post-game press conference.</p>
<p>&#8220;[Pospisil] plays hard, he makes good offensive plays,&#8221; said Heat head coach Cail MacLean. &#8220;At the same time, at the drop of the hat, if someone threatens someone in his family, he&#8217;ll go right after them.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That&#39;s a Gordie Howe hat-trick for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> centre Martin Pospisil, who went after Marlies forward Colt Conrad after his knee-on-knee hit against Matthew Phillips.</p>
<p>Ugly hit by Conrad. Pospisil called for the instigator, received a misconduct. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/93jx9DNk2L">pic.twitter.com/93jx9DNk2L</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365440845441245185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Marlies made a solid push in the third period, out-shooting Stockton by a count of 15-3, and Wolf had to be sharp to preserve his team&#8217;s seven-goal lead. He put his excellent reflexes on display to deny a goal from Kossila with his right pad.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not the greatest replay angle, but man — this save by Wolf was incredible in real time. I have no idea how he got his pad out that quickly. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CofRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CofRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/ywdze3cGi2">pic.twitter.com/ywdze3cGi2</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365441850606198784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Even with the result in no doubt, Zary kept competing until the final buzzer and was right in the thick of an inspired scrum behind the Marlies&#8217; net after the end of regulation time.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Connor Zary is fired up! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHLHeat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHLHeat</a> <a href="https://t.co/S8Oti0OK8k">https://t.co/S8Oti0OK8k</a> <a href="https://t.co/DlKZvze4fU">pic.twitter.com/DlKZvze4fU</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mike Gould (@miketgould) <a href="https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365446743547023360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>With the big win, the Heat now possess a .500 points percentage on the year and sit in a tie with the Marlies for third in the Canadian Division. After being outscored 12-2 in the first two games of the year, the Heat have now scored 14 goals this season and have allowed 15.</p>
<h2><strong>Why the Heat won<br />
</strong></h2>
<p>They scored first and they scored often, remaining engaged physically and on the puck all day long. Wolf had another terrific performance despite allowing another early goal. The Marlies failed to convert on their two power plays while Stockton went three-for-five on theirs.</p>
<p>Phillips and Ruzicka were able to operate without much in the way of opposition or response from the Marlies. Simpson and Colton Beck provided depth scoring, both contributing two points. After being stymied by extremely impressive performances from D&#8217;Agostini, the Heat finally figured out the Toronto goaltender.</p>
<h2><strong>The hottest Heat</strong></h2>
<p>There are many, many candidates.</p>
<ul>
<li>Martin Pospisil had a Gordie Howe hat-trick, skated well, and created a ton of space for his linemates;</li>
<li>Mark Simpson scored the first two goals of his AHL career;</li>
<li>Connor Zary was dangerous everywhere and made an outstanding play to set up Simpson&#8217;s second goal;</li>
<li>Zac Leslie had two primary assists and threaded the needle to find Pospisil for his goal;</li>
<li>Dustin Wolf was rock-solid after a quiet first period, posting a .963 save percentage in the game;</li>
<li>Adam Ruzicka posted his second-straight two-goal performance and could have had more;</li>
<li>Luke Philp helped keep Stockton&#8217;s momentum going by scoring his team-leading 21st goal since 2019-20 early in the second period;</li>
<li>Matthew Phillips had another multi-point night and was the most dynamic player on the ice for either team.</li>
</ul>
<p>However, today&#8217;s distinction goes to <strong>Emilio Pettersen</strong>, who got the Heat on the board, showed some 200-foot responsibility, and put his impressive skating on display both with and without the puck. Pettersen now has three points in four games since turning pro.</p>
<h2><strong>Up next</strong></h2>
<p>The Heat are heading on the road! They&#8217;ll be back in action next week, doing battle with the Belleville Senators at the 4,365-seat CAA Arena on Mar. 3 at 5:00 p.m. MT. You can catch the game on AHL TV; I&#8217;ll be posting updates on Twitter at @miketgould.</p>

The Toronto Marlies got a taste of their own medicine on Friday afternoon.



After destroying the temporarily-relocated Stockton Heat by 7-1 and 5-1 scores earlier this week in the first two AHL games played in the Scotiabank Saddledome this season, the Marlies dropped a 4-2 decision to the Heat on Wednesday before being blown out on Friday.

In the final game of their lengthy home series against the Marlies, the Heat scored six goals by the time their opponents had mustered six shots. Fresh off his electric 36-save performance in Wednesday's win, Heat goaltender Dustin Wolf had a quieter night in his crease. The 19-year-old <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanNPike/status/1365435030143574016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1365435030143574016%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.calgarypuck.com%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D182029page%3D4">WHL-bound</a> keeper made 26 saves on 27 shots en route to his second professional victory.

Instead, Stockton's big guns stole the show. Adam Ruzicka and the "Killer Ps"—Emilio Pettersen, Matthew Phillips, and Martin Pospisil—all had multiple points for the Heat, while rookie centre Mark Simpson chipped in the first two goals of his professional career.

The Heat ultimately took this one by an 8-1 score, a result that accurately represents their level of play in the game. Here's how it all went down.
<h2><strong>The rundown</strong></h2>
The Heat went two-for-four on the power play on Wednesday and they received no shortage of opportunities to continue that trend on Friday.

Marlies forward Bobby McMann took a tripping penalty just 1:33 into regulation and, although the Heat couldn't capitalize, the infraction set the tone for the rest of the game. After former Anaheim Duck and current Marlie forward Kalle Kossila got called for a hook at 6:07, the Heat went right back to work and converted.

First-year pro Emilio Pettersen opened the scoring with a tremendous display of hand-eye coordination, batting a puck into the net out of mid-air after a point shot by Alex Petrovic had bounced skyward off Marlies goaltender Andrew D'Agostini.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365413230894579713

Pettersen's goal gave the Heat their first 1-0 lead of the year, but it wouldn't last. Just under four minutes later, Marlies defenseman Timothy Liljegren sent a wrister towards Wolf's cage that beat the screened goaltender.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365414370805571585

Pettersen continued to stand out after his goal on Friday, making active plays in both the offensive and defensive zones for Stockton. He was eventually named the third star of the game.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365415116905148417

Stockton regained its one-goal lead late in the opening frame, and it came from an unlikely source. 25-year-old centre Mark Simpson, fresh off a four-year tenure with the U. of New Brunswick Reds, has been in and out of the Heat lineup to begin the season and has been deployed primarily in a defensive role.

Nevertheless, it was Simpson who managed to get a piece of a long shot by Zac Leslie, changing its direction enough to elude D'Agostini. Simpson's first goal as a professional eventually would stand as the game-winner.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365416649168330752

Just over a minute later, the Heat found some insurance. Check out the fancy footwork from Matthew Phillips to set up Adam Ruzicka for a back-door tap-in.

This goal was the third in just two games for the Ruzicka-Phillips combination, and there was more to come.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365417384199155712

The Heat exited the first period leading 3-1 and up 10-3 on the shot clock. They quickly picked up where they left off after the intermission, with Luke Philp adding to the lead with a power play goal just 1:05 into the second frame.

Dmitry Zavgorodniy, jostling for position in front of D'Agostini, picked up his first professional point with a primary assist on Philp's goal.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365424164631244800

From there, it quickly turned into a rout. With Connor Zary and Kristians Rubins both in the box on offsetting penalties, the game moved to a four-on-four environment for two minutes and Ruzicka quickly took advantage.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365424829067792384

Moments later, Ruzicka came inches away from getting his first hat trick as a professional. Despite the near miss, his line continued to apply pressure and controlled play for a whole minute in the Marlies' zone.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365426563987087360

Simpson then scored his second of the night (and as an AHLer) to make it a 6-1 game. Bonus points to Flames 2020 first rounder Zary for his amazing pass to find Simpson in the slot.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365427675028889600

Just as a reminder, at this point, the game had yet to reach its halfway mark.

The Heat made it 7-1 at the 12:40 mark of the period when Martin Pospisil out-waited D'Agostini before placing a perfect wrister over the sprawled Marlies goaltender.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365429616974815233

To cap things off in the middle period, Phillips made a ridiculous move to score a power play goal in the dying minutes. Surprise, surprise: Ruzicka assisted on the 8-1 tally.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365431977969508353

With the game largely decided entering the third period, things began to heat up.

Pospisil completed his first AHL Gordie Howe hat-trick in the final 20, taking exception to a knee-on-knee hit thrown on Phillips by Marlies forward Colt Conrad. Phillips fell to the ice and Pospisil immediately lunged at Conrad to stick up for his team's star.

The heavily-penalized incident ended Pospisil's night but earned him the praise of his coach in the post-game press conference.

"[Pospisil] plays hard, he makes good offensive plays," said Heat head coach Cail MacLean. "At the same time, at the drop of the hat, if someone threatens someone in his family, he'll go right after them."

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365440845441245185

The Marlies made a solid push in the third period, out-shooting Stockton by a count of 15-3, and Wolf had to be sharp to preserve his team's seven-goal lead. He put his excellent reflexes on display to deny a goal from Kossila with his right pad.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365441850606198784

Even with the result in no doubt, Zary kept competing until the final buzzer and was right in the thick of an inspired scrum behind the Marlies' net after the end of regulation time.

https://twitter.com/miketgould/status/1365446743547023360

With the big win, the Heat now possess a .500 points percentage on the year and sit in a tie with the Marlies for third in the Canadian Division. After being outscored 12-2 in the first two games of the year, the Heat have now scored 14 goals this season and have allowed 15.
<h2><strong>Why the Heat won
</strong></h2>
They scored first and they scored often, remaining engaged physically and on the puck all day long. Wolf had another terrific performance despite allowing another early goal. The Marlies failed to convert on their two power plays while Stockton went three-for-five on theirs.

Phillips and Ruzicka were able to operate without much in the way of opposition or response from the Marlies. Simpson and Colton Beck provided depth scoring, both contributing two points. After being stymied by extremely impressive performances from D'Agostini, the Heat finally figured out the Toronto goaltender.
<h2><strong>The hottest Heat</strong></h2>
There are many, many candidates.
<ul>
 	<li>Martin Pospisil had a Gordie Howe hat-trick, skated well, and created a ton of space for his linemates;</li>
 	<li>Mark Simpson scored the first two goals of his AHL career;</li>
 	<li>Connor Zary was dangerous everywhere and made an outstanding play to set up Simpson's second goal;</li>
 	<li>Zac Leslie had two primary assists and threaded the needle to find Pospisil for his goal;</li>
 	<li>Dustin Wolf was rock-solid after a quiet first period, posting a .963 save percentage in the game;</li>
 	<li>Adam Ruzicka posted his second-straight two-goal performance and could have had more;</li>
 	<li>Luke Philp helped keep Stockton's momentum going by scoring his team-leading 21st goal since 2019-20 early in the second period;</li>
 	<li>Matthew Phillips had another multi-point night and was the most dynamic player on the ice for either team.</li>
</ul>
However, today's distinction goes to <strong>Emilio Pettersen</strong>, who got the Heat on the board, showed some 200-foot responsibility, and put his impressive skating on display both with and without the puck. Pettersen now has three points in four games since turning pro.
<h2><strong>Up next</strong></h2>
The Heat are heading on the road! They'll be back in action next week, doing battle with the Belleville Senators at the 4,365-seat CAA Arena on Mar. 3 at 5:00 p.m. MT. You can catch the game on AHL TV; I'll be posting updates on Twitter at @miketgould.

Post-Game: Ruzicka and the ‘Killer Ps’ star as Heat flatten Marlies in series finale

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