Game 34: San Diego Gulls @ Stockton Heat

With news earlier in the day that defenseman Lester Lancaster had been assigned to the Gulls on loan from the Allen Americans of the ECHL, it lead to questions regarding who on the Gulls blue-line was either out hurt or out of favor. However those questions would need to wait as Lancaster was not inserted into the line-up. The only change to the roster from the previous win over Ontario was to take out Corey Tropp and Hunter Drew and replace them with Alex Broadhurst and Deven Sideroff. Defensive pairings remained the same and Anthony Stolarz – despite Kevin Boyle’s brilliant performance – was given the start.

San Diego set the tone early, slowly building momentum until they were consistently buzzing in the Stockton zone shift, after shift. Troy Terry started the initial drive with some great work down low to create opportunities for his line-mates. Antoine Morand and Deven Sideroff had the Gulls first real dangerous chance on a nice give and go coming between the Circles. Just when it felt the Gulls were on to a good thing, Blake Pietela was called for high sticking and San Diego had to face down the leagues best Power Play.

A face-off win in the San Diego zone resulted in an easy clearance and then some brilliant as always neutral zone work from Sherwood and Kloos ended with Sherwood scoring the Gulls 12th shorthanded goal of the season just over twenty seconds into the kill to put the Gulls up 1-0. The Ohio native using the defender as a screen and ripping a hard shot top corner.

With 29 seconds left in the minor the Heat were called for too many men and the Gulls were given a brief Power Play but not before Stolarz was called upon to make a big save in-close on the streaking Valiev, before clearing his own rebound.

Justin Kloos shortened the Gulls man-advantage by taking a tripping call and the Heat swiftly swung momentum back in their direction, enjoying the added space awarded by the four on four play.

San Diego managed to push back once play eventually returned to five on five, lead by the top line executing several open-ice cycle drop passes through the Stockton zone.

With 2:25 left in the period the ice was deemed too dangerous to continue play on and the period was ended prematurely with the remaining time to be added to the middle frame. Shots were 11-4 for the Heat after the shortened period, the shot map showing that Stockton enjoyed the majority of play despite the Gulls carrying the lead into the first intermission.

The Heat took complete control of the unofficial ending of the first period by running the San Diego zone for the remaining two minutes, drawing a call on Jani Hakanpaa for cross checking just as time expired.

As soon as the Stockton Power Play began – at the official beginning of the second period – Anthony Stolarz was under siege; making back to back stops, first with the pad on a sliding stop and then with the glove just seconds later.

San Diego was able to kill the minor and retook momentum thanks in part to a shorthanded break from Antoine Morand. The rookie fumbled the puck at the last moment making it an easy stop for Gillies but the Gulls followed that up with relentless attack once play returned to five on five.

Against the run of play the Heat grabbed the equalizer in what was described as a wrap around but the terrible Stockton cameras didn’t actually catch the play because they were still focused on the neutral zone. 1-1.

Two minutes later a streaking zone entry led by Troy Terry forced the Stockton defense to retreat and the second year pro out of Denver University dropped the puck to Brent Gates cutting across from the right. The former University of Minnesota Captain then spun and sent a perfect backhand shot top corner to make it 2-1 Gulls, his second goal in as many games and one that exhibited some skill and creativity we have yet to have seen from him thus far.

Just before the midway point of the period the Heat were called for hooking and the Gulls set to work with the man advantage. Once again the Stockton aggressive penalty kill made it difficult for the Gulls to find an open lane but they did manage to attempt some shots on Gillies, though not all of them made it on target.

With five minutes left in the middle frame Jani Hakanpaa put the Gulls down a man once again when he was called for tripping and San Diego got set to try kill another penalty against the deadly Heat man-advantage. Stockton got set for a few chances but the Gulls were eventually able to kill the penalty thanks to some key puck battles and tight gap-control. Anthony Stolarz also making the key stop when required.

The second period ended with San Diego still holding a one goal lead but almost doubled up in shots 25-13 with the shot map showing chances were relatively even for the second set of twenty; with Stolarz keeping the Gulls ahead.

The Gulls appeared to be applying a passive offensive structure to start the third. Adding pressure in the neutral zone but not committing too many men to the attack as they looked to defend their one goal lead. The best opportunity coming just after the eight minute mark as Alex Dostie was setup in front by Justin Kloos where he fired two point blank chances on Gillies, but was stopped.

That effort was followed up by some good sustained pressure from the top line, and then a penalty drawn by Chris Mueller on the shift immediately after.

The Gulls man-advantage managed to get set but could not locate a shooting lane or open space to break the Stockton four man unit despite Troy Terry’s best efforts. The heat killing the minor without San Diego getting a dangerous chance on Gillies.

Stockton came back with a huge push with just under five minutes left and Stolarz was forced to scramble to keep the puck out while down and without his stick but the former Flyers second round pick was able to protect the lead.

The Heat continued the pressure in the San Diego zone, keeping them hemmed on back to back to back shifts but the Gulls were able to weather the storm and ice this one away with back to back empty net goals courtesy of Kiefer Sherwood and Alex Broadhurst to take the win 4-1. Their third straight win setting their record straight at an even .500.

Post Game Notes:

Gates Getting Hot: Hands up if you knew Gates could shoot like that? Put your hand down you liar. Unless you are die-hard Gopher fan and had seen that before I guess. Two goals in two games (both on the top line with Troy Terry) is doing wonders for the rookies confidence – here is hoping he can carry on that level of play once Terry is eventually returned to Anaheim. Speaking of which…

What Happens When…: The situation this season is much like last year. The Ducks are out of the playoffs, they will be sellers at the deadline and once their season is over the Gulls can reap the benefits of having any eligible players available to them for the stretch drive.
Currently those waiver eligible players are:

• Isac Lundestrom (130 NHL games of eligibility left)
• Max Jones (95 NHL games remaining)
• Sam Steel (97 NHL games remaining)
• Max Comtois (121 NHL games remaining)
• Jacob Larsson (71 NHL games remaining, or end of this year – he is no longer waiver exempt as of next season)
• Troy Terry (92 NHL games remaining, or end of this year – he is no longer waiver exempt as of next season)

One concern I have that I didn’t have last season is that it sounds and looks as though the Ducks might finally blow everything up come trade deadline. My worry is how that will affect the Gulls – given San Diego are currently out of a playoff spot; Murray might not think twice about gutting the roster of the Ducks and calling up Gulls as replacements after the deadline. The Ducks will be looking for draft-picks at the deadline; which they need – I just hope they dont trade TOO many of the current roster players to acquire those.

Standings Update: With the win the Gulls leapfrog the Reign in the standings by points percentage and sit just .14 back from Bakersfield who hold the fourth and final playoff spot. They still have games in hand on both teams.