With news that Brendan Guhle cleared waivers overnight – that was followed by an assignment to the Gulls. But perhaps the biggest news was revealed with the opening line-ups – Max Golod finally making his season debut; playing on the veteran line. Nik Brouillard was redeployed at forward and placed on the top line with Carrick and Perreault. Chase De Leo, Vinni Littieri and Jamie Drysdale were the other absences from the line-up as it was reported earlier in the week that they were called up to the taxi squad.
Lines were:
Brouillard – S Carrick – Perreault
Golod – Agozzino – Poturalski
Tracey – Groulx – Morand
Devane – Dostie – Kindopp
Lowe – Roy
T Carrick – Curran
Benoit – Guhle
Dostal
Glass
It appeared it might take some time for the Gulls to get use to their new line-mates and pairings and the Barrauda enjoyed the better of play for the first six minutes, including a sure goal that Lukas Dostal somehow managed to keep out with the veteran Suuomela on the door step.
It felt like the Barracuda would strike first and that they did, keeping the Gulls pinned in their zone and eventually getting a rebound by Dostal as they outnumbered the Gulls defense in front.
But San Diego struck right back – as Barracuda were assessed a minor penalty but the Gulls executed a quick rush on the delayed call. Antoine Morand creating space with speed and firing a perfect pass to Andrew Agozzino in the slot. The veteran making no mistake and tying things up. 1-1.
With under five minutes left in the first BO Groulx was given a minor penalty for holding to put the Gulls down a man and without one of their better penalty killers. San Jose took advantage of his absense on the unit by getting a shot through traffic from the point and swiping the rebound by Dostal to go back ahead. 2-1 Barracuda.
Minutes later thing went from bad to worse as the Barracuda increased their lead on a seemingly innocent play as Karlis Cukste turned and spun, firing the puck all in one motion as he collected it from the boards near the point. His shot appearing to fool Dostal completely as he was unable to track it. 3-1 Barracuda.
The Gulls attempted some small offensive push toward the end of the period but in the end it looked like they had a lot of work to do to get back into this one as they headed to the first intermission down by two and behind in shots 14-7.
The first ten minutes of the second period appeared to be much of the same but for a nice hit laid by Brayden Tracey on San Jose defencemen Ryan Merkley behind the Barracuda net.
That was the only real highlight of the first half of the middle period though as the Barracuda were awarded a four minute Power Play due to Simon Benoit being assessed a double minor for high sticking.
San Jose smartly created traffic in front of Dostal and got a shot through the mass of bodies in front of him to take a 4-1 lead.
The Gulls finally got some semblance of fight into their game as Jacob Perreault was blocked from getting to a loose puck and San Diego were given a Power Play. But as things were going in this game – they didnt really do much with it.
However; San Diego did show some signs of life in the final three minutes in the period. Once again Antoine Morand leading the way and driving play with some new line mates in Kindopp and Groulx as Dineen looked to reward those who had been showing signs of playing well.
San Diego heading to the second intermission down 4-1 and behind in shots 25-12.
The third period was much of the same as the Barracuda protected their lead and played the perfect road game, sheltering their net with layered defense.
Andrew Agozzino managed to goad the Barracuda into taking a roughing penalty when he laid a nice hit in front of the San Jose bench and the Gulls set to work on the Power Play.
Max Golod was given some time on the second unit and didn’t look too bad but as was the case with Kindopp – its probably going to take a game or two to get him up to speed. San Jose killed the minor without too much trouble.
San Jose put the game completely out of reach with a fifth strike as Simon Benoit’s breakout pass was intercepted and fed out front to Halbgewachs. 5-1 Barracuda. That kind of night.
The Gulls failing to arrive and going down 5-1 in a effortless loss.
Post Game Notes:
Mighty Morand
Morand was the only player to really stand out tonight. He was again in the middle of everything whenever he was on the ice. There isnt really much else to say but it does make me wonder – if and when the Ducks do give him a shot – given how he looks at eye-test level in the AHL, how that will elevate in the NHL.
Golod Watch – Live
Golod finally made his AHL debut and saw some time on the Power Play but other than that was pretty quiet. He had some miscues and errant passes but I put that down to rust and adjusting to the AHL speed of the game. It took Kindopp a few games to catch up also.
Ducks Road Taxi Squad
Anaheim elected to call up Vinni Littieri, Jamie Drysdale and Chase De Leo to the taxi squad – presumably taking them with them on the road to Colorado. Sadly in this pandemic effected season – teams will be over cautious when on the road and this is an example of that. You can expect them back when they return after the weekend.
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