Game 48: San Diego Gulls @ San Jose Barracuda – Feb 16

With news that Troy Terry had been recalled and Adam Cracknell reassigned, it was starting to look like the Ducks were starting to unintentionally meddle with the Gulls chances at Calder Cup glory while attempting to figure out their next years roster under interim coach Bob Murray. But perhaps the biggest news was the long awaited return of Kevin Roy. Making his season debut 48 games into the season after recovering from a nasty arm injury suffered during rookie camp scrimmages. He slotted in on the fourth line alongside fellow Quebec native Alex Dostie. Cracknell took Terry’s spot on the Steel line.

The action was fast and frenetic to start with the Gulls getting close on several opportunities before San Jose were able to get possession and force Jeff Glass to make some sprawling saves at the twelve minute mark.

San Jose was awarded a power play when Adam Cracknell was sent to the penalty box for slashing after the latest of many Barracuda consistent shifts in the San Diego zone as the home team slowly but surely shifted momentum from the Gulls initial push to open the game.

San Diego were able to kill the penalty thanks in large part to Jeff Glass and some outstanding saves. The Gulls responded with a push of their own and with a delayed penalty of their own, Kossila was able to draw another on the same play to give a full two minute five on three with just under three minutes left in the opening period. The Gulls were flawless in execution as they shifted the puck around before getting it down low to Street who sent a crisp pass across to Carrick, where the Ontario native slammed it home for the lead.

With under forty seconds left Kiefer Sherwood won the race to a puck and sent it round the boards behind the net to Carrick who then sent it in front where Chase De Leo tipped it in for the 2-0 lead.

San Diego continued to control play to start the second until Trevor Murphy took a loose puck and sped down the right side wall cutting into the slot and scoring on a great individual effort, giving the Gulls a commanding 3-0 lead.

Both teams traded chances for the next five minutes but nothing too dangerous until Sam Steel threw the puck on net off of a seemingly innocent play and it went by Bibeau for the 4-0 lead.

San Jose furiously fought back a minute later and got one by glass with waves of traffic in front.

Only to be answered in turn by a self made breakaway from Sam Carrick who stripped a flat footed Barracuda defender of the puck and went alone on Bibeau, flipping it high over his left shoulder to increase the lead to 5-1.

The Barracuda again feverishly forced play back in the San Diego zone, eventually earning a 5 on 3 power play with their excessive pressure. Jeff Glass was the difference as he made save after point blank save, sometimes even keeping the puck out with his back turned.

No sooner had the Gulls killed both penalties then Sam Steel found himself on a partial breakaway down the right wing, he looked off a potential pass to the slot and sent a picture perfect shot top corner over Bibeau for the 6-1 lead.

Clearly frustrated with their performance so far, the Barracuda tried to mix it up and targeted Jacob Larsson. Goading him into a retaliatory roughing penalty.

Bibeau was yanked to start the third and replaced by AHL All Star rookie Korenar and the Gulls were down a man due to Simon Benoit being assessed a roughing penalty at the end of the second period as things got testy.

The Gulls killed the penalty with ease and took back momentum but did not quite generate the same kind of chances as they had earlier in action, just as it seemed the score might stay that way for the remainder of the period some good hustle by Corey Tropp resulted in a 7-1 lead as he finished off a neat pass back to the slot from Kopacka with under eight minutes left.

San Jose were assessed a high sticking call off the center ice draw immediately after the goal and Alex Dostie got in on the fun, collecting a loose rebound from the left side of the net and throwing it by the out-of-position Korenar.

Adam Cracknell took a holding call on the next shift and as things had gone in this game, the Barracuda scored on the ensuing power play on a goal that Glass would have probably liked to have back.

To follow that up in comical fashion, the Barracuda got another one by Glass in similar fashion when an innocent shot from the blue line surprised and went right by him to bring the home team within five.

Final score 8-3, a demoralizing beating given to Pacific Division rivals on their home ice and one to remember as what this San Diego squad is capable of when they get on a roll. Six different players had a multi point night including the season debut for Kevin Roy, the suddenly hot Sam Steel and the constant point machine Sam Carrick.