Game 27: San Diego Gulls vs Bakersfield Condors – Dec 27

With Tropp and Berry out with suspensions (Tropp’s not announced until a day after the game) and Sideroff sidelined with a hand injury sustained in his early bout with the Ontario Reign, the Gulls were forced to sign Bryan Marchement and Steve McParland to PTOs out of the ECHL. Over the break Tyler Soy was quietly let go of his one-year AHL only deal and released to attend University in Alberta has he had originally intended to do before the season began.

McParland made his presence known early by causing a turnover deep in the Bakersfield zone with a huge open ice hit on Phil Esposito (Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito).

Boyle was forced to make a timely save on a partial breakaway for the talented Kailer Yamamoto, created when Simon Benoit stumbled on the blue line.

Max Jones had brilliant opportunity when he grabbed a bouncing puck with speed, creating his own opportunity with very soft hands in front, but was beaten only by the post.

Boyle was again forced to make a big stop when Bakersfield executed a quick passing play down low, culminating in a point black opportunity from the slot.

The second began with San Diego pressing. The best opportunity belonged to Max Jones as he again proved a force in front, creating space with speed and using a power move to get into position but running out of room down low.

Despite the Gulls controlling much of the action in the middle frame, the Condors struck first on the rush finding the late man coming with speed at the eight minute mark.

The visitors struck again just minutes later – pressuring San Diego in their own zone, eventually forcing a turnover and creating a chance near the right hash marks.

Sam Steel thought he had brought the Gulls back within one, but his hard shot from the slot was shown to hit the iron. However newcomer McParland kept momentum going and cleaned up a rebound on the very next shift to get San Diego on the board.

The Gulls controlled play for the next five minutes, setting up camp in the Condors’ zone, and were finally rewarded when a Kalle Kossila faceoff win back to Jaycob Megna allowed the San Diego captain time and space to size up and measure a shot that made it through a mass of bodies and into the net for the game tying score.

San Diego were awarded a five minute power play when Christopher was given a misconduct and major penalty for a very dangerous hit from behind against Keaton Thompson. Play was sporadic and uncoordinated for the first minute, but the Gulls did manage to get set and execute a perfect overload play – feeding Welinski at the point for the one timer which sailed in for the three to two lead. Jo Blandisi actively screamed in a Condors’ face in celebration until the refs had to drag him away to join his teammates huddle.

The Gulls converted again on the major on another passing play, this time a perfectly timed cross-ice pass from Chase DeLeo to Carrick which he hit on the hop to make it four to two. Blandisi was sadly not on the ice to let the Condors know about this one.

The Condors hit right back, having gotten their full complement of five back on they set to work passing around the Gulls’ zone and spread the San Diego defense too thin. Their swift passing found the open man to easily get it by the suddenly-bored Boyle to get back within one with five minutes left.

However with the Condors pressing and their net empty, San Diego hung on for the win and extended their points streak.