After starting the 2021–22 season with three consecutive wins over the San Diego Gulls, the Stockton Heat have lost back-to-back games against their southern rivals.
The Gulls defeated the Heat 4–1 at Pechanga Arena on Jan. 7 before taking Jan. 19’s contest at Stockton Arena by a 3–2 score. Justin Kirkland netted both Heat goals in the latter contest.
The Heat recently overcame a two-game losing streak when they defeated the San Jose Barracuda 4–3 in overtime on Mar. 5. Juuso Valimaki, Emilio Pettersen, Walker Duehr, and Luke Philp scored to help the Heat remain the only American Hockey League team with fewer than 10 regulation losses this season.