GAMEDAY: BARRACUDA vs HEAT (12-8-16)
Dec 8, 2016Game #17 – San Jose (8-5-0-3) at Stockton (12-5-1-1)
Thursday, December 8, 2016
7:00 PM PST, SAP Center, San Jose, Calif.
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Tonight’s Matchup: The San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames) renew their Northern California rivalry on Thursday night, the first game between the clubs since Stockton edged out San Jose, 3-2, on November 15. The Barracuda went 9-1-1-1 against the Heat in 2015-16 and 6-0-0-0 at home. After Thursday, the Heat and Barracuda will play ten more times.
Terriers On A Tear: Former Boston University Terriers Danny O’Regan and John McCarthy put on a show last weekend in San Antonio. O’Regan extended his point streak to a career-long five games with assists on Saturday and Sunday (2+4=6), and McCarthy scored a goal in each game against the Rampage. O’Regan’s 18 points (7+11=8) is tops among all Barracuda skaters and first in the AHL among rookies.
Timo Time: Timo Meier scored four goals in two games against the Rampage last weekend and is now riding a career-high four-game point streak (5+3=8) from November 25 to now. Meier leads all Barracuda skaters in goals (8), plus/minus (+9) and is second in penalty minutes (22). Meier has not faced the Heat in his career.
Mueller Moves Up: Mirco Mueller was called up to the San Jose Sharks for the first time this season on Wednesday but did not appear in San Jose’s 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Mueller was reassigned to the Barracuda on Thursday morning. In 16 AHL games played this season, Mueller has six assists.
Money Mantas: Mantas Armalis is 3-0-0-1 in his last four starts and earned his first AHL shutout on Sunday in a 29-save 4-0 win over the Rampage. Armalis is 5-1-0-2 on the season with a 2.40 goals against and a .912 save percentage.
Heating Up: Both the Barracuda and Heat are riding four game point streaks heading into Thursday’s tilt. Stockton sits atop the Pacific Division Standings with a record of 12-5-1-1 (.684) while San Jose holds claim to the fourth spot in the Pacific with a record of 8-5-0-3 (.594).
San Jose’s Last Time Out: Mantas Armalis stopped all 29 shots he faced on Sunday afternoon in San Antonio and San Jose got two goals from Timo Meier (7, 8) and one from Tim Heed (5) and John McCarthy (3) to secure their third shutout win of the year and their third shutout of the year with a final of 4-0. San Jose earned three points in two games against the Rampage in their last game in the Lone Star State during the regular season.
Stockton’s Last Time Out: The Stockton Heat cruised to a 3-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. David Rittich made 27 saves to earn the victory and Andrew Mangiapane (6), Linden Vey (7) and Matt Frattin (5) each scored after Charlotte drew blood first in the opening frame.