Looking to avenge their overtime loss just a two nights prior, the Gulls came home for a rematch against the Stockton Heat. Coach Dineen changing the lines up once again by putting Alex Dostie in and taking Brent Gates Jr out – while on defense, putting Ryan Johnston in and taking newcomer Keegan Kanzig out.
San Diego started well, getting an early push and some chances on net through Max Comtois and Chase De Leo as well as a follow up from Simon Benoit, earning a Power Play in the process as Alan Quine was called for interference.
However the Heat and their penalty kill quickly swung momentum as they completely stifled the Gulls man-advantage, generating two chances of their own in the process.
With the Power Play over and the Heat pressing, Blake Pietela took advantage of a rare weak back-check from the Heat to win a puck-race and quickly swung the puck into the slot to a streaking Kiefer Sherwood. The Ohio native then fired a shot that Heat net-minder Artyom Zagidulin got a piece of but could not completely stop. Gulls 1-0.
With the Pechanga faithful still celebrating and the goal announcer only part way through announcing the tally – the Heat struck right back as Mason Morelli finished a play that was started by a perfect pass from Eetu Tuulola. 1-1 tie game.
The penalty parade started soon after as Scott Moldenhauer was called for hooking but with forty seconds left in the minor, Tuulola was also called for hooking. The teams continued to exchange Power Plays and it felt a little like the Gulls might be playing with fire given how potent and highly ranked the Heat Power Play was (second overall in the league) but thankfully escaped both Heat chances with the man advantage.
Teams headed to the first intermission tied at one a piece and shots 12-8 for the Heat. The shot map re-iterating the fine line the Gulls were walking by allowing Stockton so many chances with the man advantage.
Once again the Gulls started the period with a push, generating five straight shots in a span of a minute of a half thanks to another strong shift from Max Comtois and Chase De Leo.
The Heat responded by gaining the San Diego zone and getting chances from their danger men – Morelli and Tuulola before teams exchanged Power Plays once again. Max Comtois putting the Gulls down at the conclusion of a Gulls Power Play where Chris Mueller was quite obviously cross-checked/interfered with in front of the Stockton net in direct view of the Officials but no call was made.
Thankfully San Diego were able to kill the Comtois minor and fed off of the emotional lift at raising themselves above the unjustified adversity, Kiefer Sherwood getting his second of the night when he collected a rebound from Sam Carrick, spun and fired a shot through Zagidulin to give San Diego back the lead. 2-1.
Less than thirty seconds later Max Comtois got in on the action as he took a semi-broken pass from Alex Broadhurst and ripped a rocket of a wrist shot all in one motion past the stunned Zagidulin. 3-1 Gulls.
Stockton attempted to respond but Anthony Stolarz stood tall and turned aside all of the shots he faced for the remainder of the period. San Diego heading to the second intermission with a 3-1 lead but still trailing in shots 24-18. The shot map showing San Diego getting less shots on net over all but a higher quantity of dangerous chances for the period.
San Diego had just over a minute of Power Play time to start the third but could only generate the one shot through Simon Benoit as once again the Stockton penalty kill gave no quarter.
The Heat then opened things up and had a chance to get one back but Anthony Stolarz somehow kept the puck out as he dove back back across to make one stop then leaned back with the pads to protect the right post.
Not to be outdone the Heat’s young netminder responded by stopping Alex Dostie point blank on two chances in the crease – the third year pro setup perfectly on a brilliant play by Ryan Johnston.
With just under seven minutes left the Heat got one back as Jani Hakanpaa and Alex Broadhurst failed to communicate as to who should pressure the Heat player behind the net and Luke Philip was able to set up Alan Quine on the left side of the Gulls net. 3-2 Gulls.
A nervous final six minutes followed as San Diego retreated into their zone and deployed a conservative defense-first strategy. The Heat took full advantage of this and held possession for the remainder of the game, firing shots in Stolarz direction and forcing him to make several saves in tight with the Gulls defense collapsing down low to prevent any rebounds.
The Gulls would prevail despite the pressure and take this one 3-2, still behind Ontario by two points but ahead in Points Percentage to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Pacific.
2023-2024 Game 72: San Diego Gulls at Coachella Valley Firebirds
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