GAMEDAY: BARRACUDA VS HEAT (12-20-16)
Dec 20, 2016Game #22 – San Jose (11-6-1-3) vs. Ontario (16-6-1-1)
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
1:15 PM PST, SAP Center, San Jose, Calif.
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Afternoon Matchup: The San Jose Barracuda are riding a season-long four-game point streak as they welcome the first-place Stockton Heat to SAP Center for the second time this season. The Barracuda have points in eight of their last nine games and currently hold the fourth and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division.
Stockton is riding a three-game winning streak and has victories in five of their last six including a 4-0 win over San Jose on December 8 at SAP Center. San Jose is 0-2 against the Heat this season after going 9-1-1-1 last year and 6-0-0 at home.
Dunkin’ Donuts: Troy Grosenick’s shutout streak ended at 248 minutes and eights seconds of action after giving up a first-period goal to Ontario’s Teddy Purcell on Sunday. Grosenick came just 63 minutes and three seconds shy of Matt Murray’s AHL record, which was he set during the 2014-15 season. Grosenick is first in the AHL in shutouts (5) and seventh in both goals-against average (1.98) and save percentage (.930).
Top Of The Class: The San Jose Barracuda killed off 29-straight penalties before giving up a 3-on-4 overtime tally on Sunday versus Ontario, but are still ranked third in the league (87.1%). The Barracuda also boast a top-5 power play (4th, 25.3%) and went 4-for-5 over the weekend on the man advantage.
Dazzling Danny: Since Danny O’Regan made his NHL debut on Nov. 21 versus New Jersey, he has found the scoresheet in nine of his last ten games and continues to pace the Barracuda in points (7+17=24). O’Regan ranks second in the AHL in points among rookies and 16th among AHL skaters. The center-man tacked on a pair of assist Sunday and is now riding a four-game point streak (0+6=6) from Dec. 10 to now. The former Boston University product is first on the Barracuda in points, first in assists, T-second in plus/minus, and third in goals. O’Regan had a five-game point streak from Nov. 22 to Dec. 4 (2+5=7).
Feed Heed: Tim Heed recorded his second three-assist game of the season on Sunday and is now riding an AHL career-long four-game point streak (1+5=6) from Dec. 10 to now. Heed is fourth in the AHL in points (6+14=20) among d-men and the first year American Leaguer is second on the Barracuda in points, and T-first in plus/minus (+7)
Red-Hot Rebel: Former Red Deer Rebels forward Adam Helewka is firing on all cylinders after suffering a lower-body injury in training camp. The Burnaby, BC, native scored three goals in two games over the weekend and now has eight points (6+2=8) in just 11 games. Helewka is second in the AHL in shooting percentage at 35.3% (17/6) and first on the Barracuda in power-play goals (3).
San Jose’s Last Time Out: The San Jose Barracuda scored three power play goals and put 43 shots on net Sunday, but the Ontario Reign forced overtime with a late tying goal, and then won 4-3 in OT at 1:07 off the stick of Michael Mersch (9). Adam Helewka scored twice (5, 6) and Joakim Ryan (3) tallied for San Jose, but Ontario did just enough to earn their first win over the Barracuda in three tries.
Stockton’s Last Time Out: The Stockton Heat extended their winning streak to three with a 3-1 victory in San Diego over the Gulls on Saturday. Morgan Klimchuck (9) and Austin Carroll (2) scored in the first for Stockton and Hunter Shinkaruk (7) made it 3-0 Heat in the second. Keaton Thompson wiped out Jon Gillies shutout bid with just 20 seconds left in regulation, but Gillies earned his ninth win by making 48 saves.