Season Update: Heat Drop Out of Pacific

Stockton Heat players celebrate a goal in their 7-5 defeat of the San Diego Gulls. Credit San Diego Gulls.

The Pacific Division just got a bit cooler today as it was reported that the Stockton Heat would be playing out of their parent clubs city in Calgary.

Sorry for the low hanging Dad joke.

That news came on the heels of yet another cancelled preseason game announcement, this time for “logistical issues” which actually translated to “team aint in California y’all”.

The Gulls were interestingly only slated to face the Heat a total of four times in this temporarily shortened season. They play other Pacific division opponents between 6 to 10 times (three guesses on who they play 10 times).

Add to that the fact the Gulls were not due to face Stockton until much later in the season, with a visit to Stockton April 24th for two games and then two at home May 7th and it feels like there may have already been contingencies in place incase the Heat could not go. Looking over the schedule – San Jose seems to be in a similar position, the Gulls also see the Barracuda just four times and all of those are after April. This is understandable given the restrictions surrounding where San Jose play but it is interesting none the less.

That leaves the Gulls with just two more pre-season games, this Friday the 29th against the Reign at Honda Center and a newly added Jan 31st matchup with the Condors in Bakersfield.

As of right now the Gulls are short two forwards on the roster with Isac Lundestrom and Andrew Agozzino being called up to the Ducks taxi squad. Keegan Kanzig drew in to play forward in the recent loss to San Jose but filling two forward spots might take some creative work, unless there is some other roster movement I am not aware of.