Game 47: San Diego Gulls @ Colorado Eagles – Feb 13

With the recall of Max Jones and assignment of Holzer, De Leo took his spot on the Carrick line while Keaton Thompson found himself on the fourth line yet again, with Alex Dostie being recalled back from the ECHL and centering the spare-parts line.

San Diego controlled the majority of play to start, generating some good but not dangerous chances until their relentless offensive pressure eventuated in a penalty being drawn by the Eagles.

The Gulls were frustrated by the Eagles penalty killing unit for most of the man advantage until Corey Tropp collected a loose puck down low, curled in a circle and fired it short side past the surprised Francouz to open the scoring on the power play just like he did the night before.

Colorado controlled play for the rest of the opening period and finally got one by Glass in the final minute when a point shot was punched back out to the high slot and the Eagles wasted no time throwing it back on net. San Diego headed to the first intermission at an even 1-1 having been out-shot by the hosts 12-9

Despite San Diego getting a couple of opportunities on the Colorado net to start the second, it was the Eagles who struck again on an odd man rush. 2-1 Colorado.

The Gulls were assessed a too many men penalty at the midway point of the second period and went to the penalty kill for the first time that night with Ben Thomson serving the minor.

Some quick passing and good movement ended in a one timer from the left half-wall that Glass could not get across and get set in time for and the Eagles took a 3-1 lead with the man advantage.

Things went from bad to worse when a lost offensive face-off lead to a rush and dump from the Eagles, Keaton Thompson rushed a clearance off the boards that went right to an incoming Colorado forward who wasted no time putting it high stick side on Glass. 4-1 Eagles.

San Diego woke up soon after and started to put some pressure on the Colorado net and the period ended with shots 15-9 in favor of the Eagles.

Angus Redmond began the third in relief of the beleaguered Glass and the Gulls came out with jump in the opening minutes of the final frame. Troy Terry created a Grade A chance getting by the Colorado defense, swinging wide and setting up Mahura cruising down the slot but the rookie defenders stick broke as he went to shoot.

The Gulls carried all of play for the period but it took them until just under six minutes left to break through when Kiefer Sherwood forced a turnover and got the puck to Chase De Leo where the La Mirada native then flicked it high over the Colorado net minder to bring the Gulls within two.

On the very next face-off the same line won the draw and brought the puck into the Colorado zone, Kiefer Sherwood this time being allowed too much space to work with as he looked off and sent misinformation to the Colorado defense before slamming the puck home five hole on Francouz to bring the Gulls within one.

The goals were 11 seconds apart, demonstrating just how dangerous the Gulls can be when they get on a roll. Colorado did manage to prevent an immediate fourth goal but in typical dramatic fashion San Diego waited until just under a minute left with Redmond pulled for the extra attacker. Colorado actually had an opportunity to ice it soon after Redmond left the net but Martin Kaut shot it wide, the resulting loose puck was collected by Terry who drove to the front of the Colorado net before dropping the puck back to Kossila who fired it home for the game tying goal with 39 seconds left.

San Diego then proceeded to milk the remaining time on the clock to steal a point and head to overtime.
The Gulls looked as though they were done when Trevor Murphy lost an edge and the Eagles had a man alone one on one with Redmond but he turned the opportunity aside, leaving Kiefer Sherwood to collect a pass from the rebound and head up ice on a break away of his own that he came inches from scoring on as he had Francous beat but got his stick tangled and unable to get to the puck in time to put it in.

San Diego had one more opportunity that Francouz denied and the 2 on 1 Colorado response the other way was fired by Redmond five hole to give the home team the win. San Diego out-shot Colorado 12 – 4 in the third and shots were even 4 – 4 in the over time session.