Game 38: San Diego Gulls @ Ontario Reign – Jan 21

A more full San Diego roster with Carrick and newcomer Kloos coming into the line up gave the Gulls more confidence in a crucial bounce back game. Dostie was scratched and Simon Benoit set as the seventh defenceman – double shifting Carrick on both the top and fourth line. Corey Tropp also sat – possibly a causality of the maximum veterans limit.

Although San Diego came out with the most jump, they got caught down low and a Reign two-on-one coming back the other way led to the game’s opening score as Matt Moulson put a shot from the right hashmarks by Jeff Glass on the Reign’s first shot of the game, just forty seconds in.

San Diego came back with a strong push and had chances from Gazdic off a nice no look pass form Steel and some good puck recovery from Sherwood. They eventually got the game, tying score via a wrist shot from the point courtesy of Jake Dotchin, who immediately saluted the large contingent of Gulls fans who had made the trip to Ontario.

The Gulls then proceeded to make the Reign look silly, winning puck battles and zipping in and out of stagnant defenders. Sam Steel had a wide open net but was denied by a diving save from Cal Petersen.

Chase De Leo created his own chance in the slot moments later, but had his shot deflected high and wide.

San Diego had a penalty kill to start the middle frame but had little trouble preventing the Reign from setting up in their zone – sending Adam Cracknell on a breakaway as he exited the box and he made no mistake putting in his sixth goal in six straight games to take the lead.

There was a scary moment just after the midway point of the second when Sam Steel limped to the bench after having an Ontario player fall on him awkwardly during a puck battle, but he thankfully re-appeared for his next shift.

Despite dominating play but for the odd mistake (which Glass thankfully either kept out or the Reign managed to shank wide or hit a post on) the Gulls headed into the final period up by the one goal, out-shooting the home team 30 to 19 through the first forty minutes.

The third period began with San Diego on the power-play as Alex Lintuniemi was assessed an interference call in the final five seconds of the second period. The Gulls finally solved Petersen as Chase De Leo potted in a rebound off a redirect in front to take the score to 3-1.

Cal Petersen continued to stand on his head, denying back to back opportunities from Patrick Eaves and Sam Steel, leaving both forwards looking up in frustration.

San Diego continued to own the neutral zone – diffusing Reign attacks and sending it back the other way. Sam Steel finally broke through after seemingly fighting a losing battle with Cal Petersen when he got an easy tap in after a nice Justin Kloos redirect fell to his stick at the side of the net.

As Ontario are wont to do – things got nasty when Reddekopp sent Ben Thomson head first into the boards on the very next shift. All Gulls players on the ice immediately went to his aid, including Sam Steel who was right in the thick of it.

San Diego toyed with the Reign for the remainder of the game – most of which was spent on the five minute major penalty assessed to Reddekopp for the aforementioned hit. Suppressing and allowing just two Ontario shots on goal for the entire period, coming out 4-1 winners to begin the win streak anew.