San Diego, California. Coming home after a very disappointing back to back in Abbotsford the San Diego Gulls suddenly found themselves fighting for their lives to retain the seventh and final playoff spot but receiving some good news in the form of two formidable black aces joining the squad.
Having returned from Canada and eligible to play this side of the border; Herman Traff made his AHL debut, playing on a line with Nikita Nesterenko and Yegor Sidorov. All other lines remained largely the same.
Defensive pairings remained the same also, with Noah Warren sitting out his second straight game with injury.
Calle Clang was given the start in net with Suchanek backing up.
Konnor Smith, Drew Elliott and Coulson Pitre were the healthy scratches.
The first five minutes were an intense battle of rush play but with neither team willing to make the fatal mistake with so much on the line to play for.
It would be the Gulls that struck first as the fourth line once again with Cal Burke featuring in the mix as he found space on the right side and sent a perfect pass across the Tucson net to a waiting Tyson Hinds. Hinds looked as though he may run out of room as he took a little time to corral the pass before immediately sending it on net and beating Tucson netminder Matthew Vilallta before he could get set. 1-0 Gulls.
San Diego withstood the Tucson response after the goal and kept up the attack – but for some slight mistakes and clear lack of chemistry on the part of Traff on the Nesterenko line.
Just as Tucson was firmly taking momentum and leading in shots by 8 to 4 a much needed tripping penalty was drawn by Nikita Nesterenko to give the Gulls the first Power Play of the game.
The first unit looked very good as they created three dangerous looks but as they went off and the second unit came on – a set rush play between Sidorov and Solberg saw the later penalized for careless use of his stick as he tried to split the Tucson defense. The shortened four on four play did not generate much for either team and the minute and half man advantage for the Roadrunners was expertly defended by San Diego as they denied entry after entry.
The Gulls taking the 1-0 lead into the first intermission and narrowly leading in shots 10-8. The shot maps showing San Diego doing a fairly good job at keeping chances to the perimeter.
Tucson came out with a push to start the second but San Diego was ready and they carried momentum forward and kept possession for most of the first five minutes of play.
There was some anxious moments as the Traff line was hemmed in the Gulls zone for a brief shift but the man himself managed to get the clear.
Sam Colangelo had the Gulls best chance at the midway point of the period as he was sent in on a partial break but was stopped. Soon after Yegor Sidorov was called for tripping in the Tucson zone on a strange call that neither I or the commentators could discern.
San Diego killed the minor with ease and saw a clear cut breakaway chance for Nikita Nesterenko during the sequence. The speedy winger come center doing perhaps a little too much as he faked not only the goalie out of the net but also himself in the process, falling off his balance before he could finish.
Yegor Sidorov showed shades of his old-self as he dangled his way around the Tucson zone before drawing a tripping call. Again the first unit looked dangerous and more confident with every pass they managed to get across the Roadrunners box, the second unit only managed to get set once and did not generate much at all.
With four seconds left in the period Calle Clang had to come up with his biggest stop of the night, gloving a Danil But chance off the rush. The denied Roadrunner then decided to take his frustration out on Sasha Pastujov for some reason, awarding the Gulls a Power Play to close out the period and carry over into the third.
San Diego staying ahead 1-0 but needing to pad out their lead to secure the victory in the third. Shots were 10-9 Tucson on the period and 19-18 Gulls overall. The shot map showing Tucson were the more dangerous team on the period.
Starting the period on the Power Play the Gulls created chances on both units this time and the second unit came perhaps the closest but Yegor Sidorov fanned on his chance from the slot.
Returning to five on five San Diego kept up momentum and Nico Myatovic made a nice play to turnover a puck and immediately fire it on net from the high slot, the rebound created going straight to Jan Mysak who sent it top corner. 2-0 Gulls.
It was largely all Tucson after the goal as the Gulls played conservative defensive structure to protect their two goal lead as time approached the final five minute mark.
Tucson pulled their goaltender with two minutes left in the period as they continued to send wave after wave of attempts into the San Diego zone.
Nico Myatovic was rewarded for all of his stellar defensive work as he blocked a shot in the neutral zone and then sent himself on a breakaway, avoiding a diving trip from a desperate Roadrunner before neatly skating the puck into the empty net. 3-0 Gulls.
San Diego playing their best defensive game of the second half of the season to take the 3-0 shut out win and stay in playoff contention.
Burkes Campaign To Stay
I have had my criticisms of Cal Burke of late – but he was playing like a man possessed this game and it feels like he has been slowly becoming a force that the coaching staff cannot possibly sit. He was instrumental in the first goal and was a play driver on his line all game, getting in the mix of every opportunity they created. I had him earmarked as one of those due to sit once McQueen makes his debut but perhaps not…
Where Does Everyone Go?
I would expect Roger McQueen to make his AHL debut this Friday against the Condors but where should he slot into the line-up? He won’t supplant Carpenter on the top line, nor Mysak on the second so that leaves the third line currently anchored by a “winger come center” Nikita Nesterenko. It makes sense to place him there and perhaps move Nesterenko to his wing and Sidorov on the other wing.
All other lines would stay the same but the hardest call will be who sits to make room on the fourth line. The only real option is Myatovic. Leaving a Traff – Burke – Caulfield trio. I for one would love to see how that looks – Caulfield and Traff have very similar playing styles and seeing them both on the same line would be *chefs kiss*
That is of course if Traff played well enough to warrant another look?
Rough Introduction To The AHL
So as noted above – Traff did not see much if any ice in the third period as I guess I wasn’t the only one who noticed he was a bit of a liability on his line. Instances I can think or remember:
On the bright side he did lay a nice hit in the offensive zone but that was about it from what I could see.
But as it looks after this game – Myatovic is too important to sit also; considering how good he is on the defensive side of the puck so until San Diego locks up a playoff spot I can see Traff sitting. These final seven games are far too important to blood a kid that is never played on North American ice before.
Magic Number Watch
Entering this game the Gulls and Roadrunners were both equal with a magic number of 18. This win should drop the Gulls number somewhat but as the Roadrunners still have a game in hand, they still aren’t safe yet.
The win gives the Gulls 72 points, moving them three ahead of Tucson and five behind Henderson.
San Diego now face Bakersfield – likely Roger McQueens debut – before heading to San Jose and then Bakersfield for a back to back. San Jose as always will be a tough contest but the Gulls have proven they can match up well with the Condors and they will have to as they face them in three of their remaining seven games.
Tucson meanwhile – have a back to back with the red-hot and still surging Silver Knights, before also facing the Condors and then heading to Colorado for a back to back.
I don’t want to tempt fate but Id like to think the Gulls have the easier schedule to close out the season.
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