Looking to get a win at home and continue their slow crawl back up the standings the San Diego Gulls welcomed in the suddenly inconsistent San Jose Barracuda – coming in with a 2-3-0 record in their last five games.
The only change to the line-up Coach Sommer made was to take out Frank Hora and give Luca Profaca a look. All other pairings and lines remained the same. Lukas Dostal was given the start.
It was announced earlier in the week that Gage Alexander and Logan Nijhoff had been assigned to Tulsa.
First Period:
San Jose started off with the better of possession and did a significant job of choking the Gulls from making any successful transition through the neutral zone other than the concessional risky long range pass.
It felt like only a matter of time and sure enough the Barracuda struck first via a point shot off of a Gulls turnover on the breakout that was tipped on it’s way by Dostal. 1-0 Barracuda.
As San Jose continued to win both races to loose pucks and any battles, the shot disparity continued to grow wider in margin in favor of the visitors.
With the Gulls finally making their first concerted push in the San Jose zone Luca Profaca was whistled for an ill-advised interference penalty to kill the short lived momentum.
Having successfully killed the minor the Gulls tried to get back to the attack – with some good looks by the Groulx-Regenda line before a bad turnover by Brayden Tracey in the neutral zone led to a Barracuda two on one partial break that was finished by William Eklund. 2-0 Barracuda.
Smelling blood in the water the Barracuda pressed the issue and fired two more chances on Dostal again via some out-numbered attacks. Brayden Tracey again playing the villain as he was called for hooking to end the sequence with some lackluster defensive play.
With play breaking down toward the end of the two minute infraction – Lukas Dostal was called upon to make some standard highlight reel saves, standard because we are so used to seeing that kind of amazing stop from Dostal but amazing none the less.
The Gulls escaping the first period and lucky to be only down by two after getting vastly outplayed to the tune of 14 shots to just 3.
Second Period: San Jose Barracuda 2 – San Diego Gulls 0
Looking like an entirely different team to start the second, the Gulls game out hard and played physical – lead by the fourth line. Overwhelming the Barracuda and earning possession while keeping play in the San Jose zone the Gulls broke through when Pavol Regenda picked up a loose puck as it bounced to him after a missed pass hit a trailing defender and immediately sent a floating wrist shot on net. The puck bouncing and deflecting its way by San Jose goaltender Eetu Makiniemi. 2-1 Barracuda.
San Diego continued to enjoy the better of the chances and play – this time with the San Jose goaltender making some big stops. Particularly on BO Groulx point blank in front and then again later on a Gulls two on one.
The Gulls were not without their own defensive miscues but Lukas Dostal calmly turned aside a Barracuda partial rush against the run of play when a Barracuda forward was found all alone on the left side from a beautiful backhand spin-pass by William Eklund.
A San Diego Power Play came up empty handed but helped to increase their momentum as the shots continued to mount and the Gulls drew closer and closer to an equalizer.
Sensing the Gulls might need yet a further lift, Glen Gawdin pasted a Barracuda player into the boards and then answered the first San Jose player who came to question the hit – which happened to be the brave but unlikely William Eklund – who he easily dispatched and set Pechanga Arena roaring with approval.
With the Gulls now on the Power Play thanks to the instigator it took some close and frustrating passing plays before some space opened up on the right side for Brayden Tracey to measure and wire a shot that was heading wide but for which BO Groulx got a very nice touch on to tie things up at two. 2-2 tie game.
Tempers flared as time expired on the period as the Barracuda showed some visible frustration at surrendering a two goal lead. The players eventually separating and heading to the second intermission tied up at two and the Gulls closing the shot gap to 22-16.
Third Period: San Diego Gulls 2 – San Jose Barracuda 2
The third began with teams skating at four on four owing to the festivities that concluded the second period but as BO Groulx and Brandon Coe exited the box the penalties continued while the physical and chippy play escalated.
As Power Plays were exchanged with neither team able to convert we quickly approached the halfway point at a stalemate.
After killing back to back penalties the Gulls finally generated some consistent possession and momentum with time approaching the six minute mark.
With the period still scoreless as we approached the final quarter of play – Rocco Grimaldi stepped up and circled the San Jose net with speed, the play too fast for Barracuda defenders trying vainly to catch him as he swept a pass in front to a crashing Hunter Drew who blasted it top shelf. 3-2 Gulls with four minutes left.
San Jose responded with a big push and pinned the Gulls in their zone for the next shift, drawing a penalty as Luca Profaca was caught tripping Jeffrey Viel as he drove the Gulls net.
The Gulls responded on the penalty kill and as San Jose attempted to get a chance within the Gulls tightly held box, both Drew Helleson and BO Groulx were there to shut down their offense. Helleson stripping the puck in his own zone behind the net and making a great play to feed it out front to Rocco Grimaldi – who then sent a shot down the ice into the since-vacated San Jose net. 4-2 Gulls.
As the final minutes ticked away, Grimaldi would strike again into the empty net as he chased down a Pavol Regenda shot that was heading wide but which he caught up to and hammered home from near the goal line. 5-2 Gulls.
San Diego storming back from a disappointing opening period to steal a well deserved win and get their fourth win in their last six games.
Post Game Notes:
All Star Bakery
Congratulations to Lukas Dostal on his selection as the Gulls representative to the AHL All Star game in Laval. A very well deserved an easy selection this season compared to seasons past.
Who stood out
Drew Helleson is blossoming before our very eyes, the acquisition of Michael Del Zotto has given him a veteran stabilizing presence and mentor on his left side. The growing confidence in his game is extremely evident and it’s elevating to yet new levels on a weekly basis. At this point I would put Del Zotto on my “do not trade” list if only for his importance to Helleson’s development.
Still moving up
Tonight’s win showed the previous shutout-streak-snapping loss was just a minor blip. The Gulls are on the up and continuing to play better and more consistently. I still believe they can chase down the final playoff spot – although I am less convinced about how well they can do in the postseason now that some Black Aces I was counting on may not make it in time…
Black Ace moves
If you had not been paying close attention to the trials and tribulations of Canadian Junior Hockey you may not be aware that two of the Ducks most highly touted prospects were dealt from their respective Junior teams this week. First Olen Zellweger was traded from the Everett Silvertips to the Kamloops Blazers in a MASSIVE deal that involved six players and ten draft picks. Yes you read that right.
Why that means we won’t be seeing Zellweger in time for the Gulls possible potential playoff run like we did last season is because the Blazers are hosting the Memorial Cup. Which means that even if they bow out in the first round of the WHL playoffs. They still have a guaranteed spot in the four team Memorial Cup championships. This will take place from May 26 to June 4. The AHL regular season ends April 16th, a whole month before the Memorial Cup even starts.
The other player dealt was 2022 first round selection Pavel Mintyukov – his late birthday meaning he is eligible for both the NHL and AHL next season. His Saginaw Spirit – still in the playoff hunt – chose to deal him to the Ottawa 67s in a bit of a head-scratcher. The 67’s lead their respective division so chances are they are loaded up enough to go deep into the OHL playoffs which begin March 29th.
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