San Diego Gulls vs Chicago Wolves: Game 3

With no further updates on injuries, Coach Dallas Eakins went with the exact came lines and line-up that earned the Game Two road shut-out in Chicago.

San Diego attempted to set the tone early with their forecheck and hitting game but a Chicago rush ended in an open man down low for the Wolves and an out of position Boyle could only make the initial save while kicking out an awful rebound which was instantly buried to put the Gulls down by one less than two minutes in. 1-0 Wolves.

Three minutes later the Gulls responded via a Ben Street floating shot from the blue-line that was tipped by Corey Tropp on its way through Dansk to tie things up at 1.

The Wolves primary incentive tonight seemed to be to get in hard on the San Diego defense, they laid the body at every opportunity and as a result a tiny bit of animosity crept into the game but also more space due to Wolves players taking themselves out of the play to make their hits.

Corey Tropp had a great chance with less than eight minutes left as he found himself open with speed on the right side, he made a deft toe-drag around a diving Whitecloud and fired a shot off as he was falling but it went high and wide.

A few seconds later Kiefer Sherwood was called for tripping to put the Gulls down a man.

Once again the San Diego penalty kill unit denied Chicago from getting set up in their zone but Sam Carrick was given an additional boarding call when he laid a hit on Hague in the Wolves zone. A perhaps dubious call but then again – Hague was facing the boards and there was no need for Carrick to be so overzealous with it.

As a result the Wolves had a face-off in the Gulls zone and were able to finally set up. Tynan finding space and puck handling with speed down low to create his own chance on Boyle but the New Jersey native stood tall and denied his chance up high with the shoulder. The trio of Kossila, Megna and Larsson held strong for the remainder of the kill until Sherwood exited the box and broke up a play to escape the zone with the puck allowing them to change. The Gulls killing both minors successfully.

Soon afterward; Sam Carrick was hauled down in the Chicago zone to give San Diego their first man advantage with four minutes left in the period.

Chicago pressured and held the Gulls zone for the final two minutes, getting to loose pucks and testing Boyle but the incumbent number one weathered the flurry and teams headed to the first intermission tied 1-1 and shots 12-6 for San Diego.

A disjointed start to the second period went in the Wolves favor as they were awarded another power-play when Kloos was called for slashing in the San Diego zone. Chicago were initially able to get a zone entry but did not hold any pressure, using their speed to try a give and go play that the pass was a touch too fast for. As the puck exited the zone Sam Steel chased down the clear on the forecheck and then slapped down Dansk’s clearing attempt from mid-air, collecting the puck and moving in on him to slide it through his legs and put the Gulls up 2-1 shorthanded on an amazing individual play. You could say he *takes off glasses* made a steal. YEAHHHH.

Chicago managed to setup and hold the San Diego zone after the goal not just once but twice but on the second of which the play deteriorated into a near-line brawl as Andy Welinski threw a hit on Cody Glass along the boards as they both went to chase down a loose puck. Initially it looked like the veteran defense-men was just laying the shoulder in a clean collision but upon further review the rookie forwards head was lowered and Welinskis’ elbow caught his head as the principal point of contact. He was given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for the play but it is difficult to say if the hit will be looked at for a potential suspension given the other blatant plays that have been missed these playoffs such as Max Jones getting cross-checked in the face.

In the two minute four on four fallout resulting from the post-hit scuffles the Gulls controlled the majority of play, Trevor Murphy (having a heck of a game) making a sweet pivot-and-spin move to get around the Chicago defense then generate a good chance on Dansk. The Wolves then had an additional three minutes of five on four but the Gulls were steadfast in preventing any real opportunities on Boyle. The Pechanga faithful roaring their approval as the full five minute major was killed off at the midpoint of the period.

Two minutes later the veteran line had the Wolves on their heels as they threw their weight around, won puck battles and caused havoc in front of Dansk. A loose puck found its way to Trevor Murphy at the point and the former Tuscon Roadrunner fired an absolute bomb through traffic and past the hapless Chicago net-minder to make it 3-1 Gulls.

San Diego followed that up with good pressure on back to back shifts, getting a whistle when Chase De Leo was hauled down before he could finish a play at the near side of the net after some great work by he, Roy and Steel in the Chicago zone.

The Gulls power play threatened for the entire two minutes but shots were largely kept to the perimeter or just high and wide of the net. Max Comtois had one good chance in front, slipping into space near the high slot and firing off a quick one timer but Dansk was equal to the task.

San Diego keeping the pressure on to close out the period and take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission as well as the edge in shots 20-15.

Chicago began the third with a big push, getting some of the better chances of the action thus far on Boyle but the 2019 AHL All-Star held firm in keeping the Gulls lead at two goals. At one point he was called upon to stop an odd man rush while then inadvertently tripping the Wolves forward before he collect and deposit the rebound, a play that probably should have been penalized.

Soon after Sam Steel made some nice moves in the Chicago zone, holding the puck on a string to outmaneuver out of traffic and give himself space in the slot but his high wrist shot was sopped by Dansk.

It should be noted that Cody Glass returned to action for the Wolves to start the third so the hit from Welinski seemingly did not result in a concussion.

Corey Tropp was inches away from giving San Diego a 4-1 lead as he swept around the Chicago net to slip in a wrap-around but Dansk made the stop on his right post.

Chicago made some good inroads in attempting to swing the games momentum back in their direction but the Gulls reverted to the same tight defensive scheme that had earned them the shut-out win in the previous match-up.

With just over four minutes left the Wolves rolled the dice and pulled Dansk for the extra attacker, San Diego did manage to get one attempt on the empty net but after the miss Chicago controlled the puck in the Gulls zone, getting back within one with three and a half minutes left after a point shot was stopped by Boyle but the rebound slammed by him from the right side by McKenzie. 3-2 Gulls.

Chicago returned Dansk to the net for a brief moment but pulled him again with a minute left, San Diego were then able to lay down a mine field in the neutral zone, causing multiple turnovers but the Wolves were stagnant in blocking any attempt on the empty net. A clinical defensive effort ensured that the Gulls were able to kill the remaining time as they came away 3-2 winners to go up 2-1 in the series.

The teams meet again for Game Four on Friday followed by Game Five on Saturday both at Pechanga to conclude the Gulls home part of this series.

Post Game Notes:

• Murphy impressive: It seems that in every single game of this playoff run there has been one player that stands out above the rest. Tonight that was Trevor Murphy, the veteran defensemen deservedly winning the games first star with a 1 goal, 1 assist night.
• Streaking Steel: Sam Steel was awarded the third star for his highlight reel goal but the rookie has done more than just put up points, he has been leaps ahead in all facets on the ice, chasing down pucks, winning face-offs, coming back defensively. We won’t be seeing him in San Diego next season.
• Tropp getting hot: Corey Tropp is finally warming up and his timing could not have been better as the Gulls enter the final rounds of the Calder Cup playoffs. The gritty veteran has two goals in this last three games and has looked dangerous with the puck. A welcome sign for the Gulls offense.