MORNING SKATE: HEAT, EAGLES WRAP SEASON SERIES WEDNESDAY
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: Stockton Heat (39-11-4-1; 1st Pacific) vs. Colorado Eagles (32-19-4-3; 3rd Pacific)
LOCATION: Stockton Arena | Stockton, California
TIME: 6:30 p.m. PDT
TUNE IN: Today’s game can be streamed on AHLTV, and the radio call is available on Fox Sports Radio 1280 or online via Spreaker.
Media Game Notes: STK | COL | AHL
HEAT INDEX
The hottest team in the Pacific Division plays host to the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday, a midweek tilt between three of the top teams in the divisional race. The Heat look to build on a four-game win streak, most recently defeating the San Diego Gulls by a 7-5 final Sunday at Pechanga Arena. Stockton has gotten the better of Colorado for the season, owning a 5-2 series edge into the final regular season meeting.
TOP OF THE CHARTS
Matthew Phillips etched his name on yet another Heat record on Sunday, becoming the team’s single-season scoring record holder with 58 points. Phillips sealed his spot atop the single-season scoring charts with an assist on Connor Zary’s second period goal Sunday. Phillips is now Stockton’s all-time scoring leader with 151 points, all-time goal scoring leader with 61 markers and the single-season scoring leader with 58 points. He trails Stockton’s single-season goal record by two at 25.
WOLF IN A SMALL PACK
With his 29th win of the season in his last outing, Dustin Wolf became the first AHL rookie to reach 29 wins in a season since Juuse Saros with Milwaukee in 2015-16. With his next win, Wolf will become the first rookie to reach 30 victories since Niklas Svedberg of the Providence Bruins amassed 37 in 48 appearances in the 2012-13 season. Since the turn of the century, Svedberg, Alex Stalock (39 wins in 61 appearances) of Worcester in 2009-10, Ondrej Pavelec (33 wins in 52 appearances) of Chicago in 2007-08 and Pekka Rinne (30 wins in 51 appearances) of Milwaukee in 2005-06 are the only rookies to reach 30-plus wins.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
The Heat have an opportunity to match another all-time team high-mark on Wednesday, Stockton looking for its 22nd home win of the campaign with four home dates remaining on the season schedule. The Heat went 22-11-1-0 at Stockton Arena in the inaugural, 2015-16 campaign for 45 of a possible 68 points. The Heat are on pace for 54 points at home this season with a league-best .793 home points percentage.
WEL, WEL, WEL, HOW THE TURNTABLES…
Andy Welinski came through with a clutch goal to break a 4-4, third period tie on Sunday in his return to Stockton’s lineup, his first game since January 4. The defenseman has four points and a game-winning goal against the Colorado Eagles this season.
39 FOR 39
Luke Philp notched his third multi-goal game of the season on Sunday, his 20th and 21st scores of the season to set a career high. The third-year forward has scored the game-winning goal in consecutive games to go with a career-best 39 points on the year, and he can become the fourth Heat skater to the 40-point mark this season with his next goal or assist.