Buoyed by the news of the return of Jamie Drysdale from injury the Gulls headed into a match-up with one of the division leaders.
Early on the Roadrunners showed how dangerous they can be with their speed as they opened the scoring via a rush that left San Diego exposed in the high slot, Hunter Drew guilty of not picking up his man in time as Jeremy Gregiore received a pass in prime scoring position and sent it top shelf. 1-0 Roadrunners.
The game started to open up after the goal as both squads attempted to spring breaks via stretch passes behind the defense and San Diego managed to generate some sustained pressure in the Tuscon zone – but for whatever reason could not hit the net. It took until Brent Gates taking a wrist shot that was blockered aside from the middle slot that the Gulls registered their first shot on net.
Just as it seemed the Gulls may not figure out how to get some sustained attempts on net a great play by Brent Gates Jr to win a puck battle in the Tuscon zone and free the puck back to the high slot to an onrushing Andrew Poturalski. The veteran forward finding space to move in and fire a shot by Tuscon net-minder LaCouvee to tie it up 1-1.
Things tightened for much of the rest of the period but scores remained level as the first twenty minutes expired. Shots were 12-4 for Tuscon as we headed to the break but both the shot disparity and the shot map did not paint an entirely accurate representation of the Gulls period – the played much better than it looked.
Things didn’t start out great for the second period as the Gulls were found guilty of falling asleep in their own zone. After being stripped of the puck along the boards they failed to recover in time and the Roadrunners capitalized on some sloppy follow up checking. The puck eventually bouncing by Dostal from a pass that made it into his crease. 2-1 Tuscon.
Then a turning point in the action as behind the play Jamie Drysdale took a two handed slash from Cameron Hebig which left the rookie limping to the bench. The Gulls went to the Power Play but were unable to convert, however from that point onward the intensity picked up as the game threatened to slowly spiral out of control. Simon Benoit dropped the gloves with Jan Jenik at center ice and moments later Trevor Carrick took on Jeremy Gregiore.
San Diego appeared to rightfully feel frustrated by the lack of consistency from the Officials as calls were made against them that were not given to Tuscon for the same infractions. Keegan Lowe pinned a puck in his equipment whilst on the penalty kill and received a cross-check to the back in clear view of both Officials with no call – all while the Gulls were killing a penalty assessed to Hunter Drew for .. wait for it… cross-checking. Yep.
Naturally Tuscon scored at the tail end of the man advantage – after the non-call against Lowe. 3-1 Tuscon.
Teams headed to the second intermission with the Gulls down 3-1 – with Coach Kevin Dineen visibly very upset with The Officials and players bumping and nudging each-other as they passed by. Shots were 30-6 for the Roadrunners.
Instead of continuing the physical beat-down the Gulls decided to get even on the scoreboard to start the third as they spent the first couple of shifts getting some sustained pressure and shots on the Tuscon net.
They were able to continue the offensive push as Brendan Guhle was tripped coming out from behind the Gulls net. San Diego looked much better with the man advantage – spending almost the entire two minutes in the Tuscon zone but again could not get the puck to go as the Roadrunners were able to come away unscathed.
The Officials interpretation of the rules continued to baffle and confuse as Brendan Guhle was called for “Elbowing” on a play in which he laid a shoulder hit on a Tuscon player with his head down on what looked to be a completely legal play.
Tuscon putting the final nail in the coffin as they jumped on another bad turnover by the Gulls in their zone – Brendan Guhle sending an errant puck up the middle that was picked off easily by Tuscon. 4-1 Roadrunners.
The Officials decided to suddenly provide a fair and balanced interpretation of the rules in the final two minutes of play as the Gulls were given a five on three but San Diego squandered the chance through some of the most static two-man advantage play I have ever seen.
The Gulls losing 4-1 – their fourth loss in six games and third straight.
Post Game Notes
Uphill Battles
San Diego deserved to lose mostly due to some very sloppy play in their own zone but at the same time – if the Officials made some of the calls they should have, things may have played out slightly different. I am singling out the Power Play goal by Lane Pederson that put the Roadrunners up 3-1. Just one shift before Keegan Lowe was cross checked down in full view of both Officials. If that call was made then maybe Tuscon doesn’t get that third marker and San Diego could tie things up further down the line. I guess the Gulls were due for a “Refs you suck!” kind of game – even in this pandemic world.
Guilty Guhle
It wasn’t a great night for Brendan Guhle. It hasn’t been a great year for him either but tonight seemed to shine a spotlight on all of the flaws in his game. Missing defensive responsibilities, bad decision making on the breakout, bad delay of game penalties. We have seen perhaps one game that highlighted the complete opposite of the bad – a game where he really stood out as the kind of offensive defensemen the Ducks hope he can be, but since then – it hasn’t looked great and you have to wonder where things go from here.
Miscellaneous Notes
Brent Gates Jr looked good to start the game and in the first period, then disappeared as the Gulls penalty parade began and ice time became inconsistent. Jamie Drysdale was perhaps the only other largely noticeable player in terms of game impact. His feet first kick save when he broke his stick on the Penalty Kill was just so great and again, not the kind of play you see from a freshly drafted 18 year old. Lukas Dostal cannot be faulted for his play either, he faced 43 shots and quietly stopped 39 including one brilliant sliding stop on a backdoor play. He has lost seven straight after winning his first five but deserved much better in this game.
San Diego Gulls 2024 Grades
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