Game 39: San Diego Gulls @ Grand Rapids Griffins

On the second night of a back to back and having blown a two goal lead to lose in overtime the night before, Coach Dineen introduced not only some fresh bodies – but with the added touch of allowing some transplanted Gulls to play in their home-town. Corey Tropp (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI), Jack Kopacka (Metamora, MI) and Brent Gates Jr (Grand Rapids, MI) were inserted and making way was Max Jones, Troy Terry and Chase De Leo.

Momentum from the previous night appeared to carry over as the Griffins put San Diego under pressure often and early to start the action, generating several high danger chances by finding speed and causing havoc with their speed through the neutral zone.

Despite Grand Rapids enjoying the majority of the run of play, it would be San Diego that were awarded the first Power Play of the game, as McIllrath was called for tripping. The Gulls managed to get set for multiple occasions during the man advantage but ultimately only managed the one shot from Isac Lundestrom just as the penalty had expired as the Griffins stifled any and all passing and shooting lanes.

Chris Wideman inadvertently sent the puck over the glass on the full to put the Gulls down a man with just under two minutes left in the period but San Diego were able to kill the first 1:37 of the minor, thanks in part to some huge saves from Anthony Stolarz as teams headed to the first intermission scoreless. The Griffins carrying a 14-5 shot advantage and the shot map showing they held a distinct advantage in quality chances.

The penalty parade continued as no sooner had the Wideman delay of game penalty been killed, Brendan Guhle was sent packing for hooking.

The Gulls did a much better job than last night in shutting down the neutral zone and preventing the Griffins from getting properly set, killing the minor with out too many concerning chances allowed on Stolarz.

Following up the added energy from back to back kills, San Diego opened the scoring as Isac Lundestrom made another great zone entry, slowed things down to survey options and then located Ryan Johnston sneaking into space at the backdoor. The former Toronto Marlie with an easy put in to make it 1-0 Gulls.

Despite taking the lead, the Gulls gave momentum right back to Grand Rapids as Stolarz was called for tripping the Griffins Rasmussen as he went to carry behind the net. San Diego spent the entire penalty kill in their zone and despite two opportunities to clear (one of which hit the official) they could not get a clear. Anthony Stolarz killing the penalty essentially by himself.

Minutes later the Griffins had another opportunity to tie it up when a man was left alone in front and after receiving a pass from the corner, was able to deek out Stolarz but Scott Moldenhauer came to the rescue and slid to block the final shot at the last moment.

San Diego got their second opportunity with the man advantage of the night when Brent Gates Jr was cross-checked before he could get a shot off after Daniel Sprong found him in space.

The Gulls had a much easier job of getting the zone entry and getting set than on previous outings against the Griffins, with Isac Lundestrom consistently finding easy seams for zone entry and Daniel Sprong doing the same on the second unit. Despite that – the Griffins did a very good job of shutting down passing lanes and preventing any real danger chances.

San Diego played with fire one too many times as the Griffins were given another Power Play with just under five minutes left in the middle frame as Chris Wideman was called for tripping Givanni Smith cutting across the neutral zone. This time the Griffins were able to solve Stolarz by generating enough movement to open up a lane across the Gulls penalty killing box, beating the New Jersey native with a cross-ice one-timer from Matt Puempel. 1-1.

Teams headed to the second intermission tied once again – the Griffins still leading in shots by a healthy margin 29-11 and the shot map not really showing much improvement on the Gulls part.

Much like the previous nights game, the intensity picked up as both teams battled to get the next goal that would break the deadlock.

The Gulls were given the first opportunity as they were awarded a Power Play when Joe Hicketts was called for slashing. San Diego looked very good on the first shift with the man advantage, executing some very crisp and fast passes across the Grand Rapids box but ultimately getting to cute at the finish.

Grand Rapids then answered with a Power Play of their own as Carrick was called for interference. The Gulls escaping with just the two shots allowed on Stolarz.

The penalty trade-war continued as the physicality increased, Sam Carrick was given a cross-checking penalty that was washed out when Griffins captain Matt Ford engaged him after the whistle. Somehow Carrick was given an unsportsmanlike in the scuffle so the Gulls had yet another minor to kill.

With just under seven minutes left in the period and with both teams playing a rare sequence of five on five; Brent Gates Jr made a case to be both the home-town and Gulls hero as he finished off a beautiful passing play between Lundestrom and Comtois. 2-1 Gulls.

It wouldn’t be a Gulls – Griffins game without more penalties and penalties there were as the Griffins Kyle Wood went for High-Sticking, Sprong was called for hooking just as that Power Play expired and then just over two minutes to go Simon Benoit and Hirose were given matching minors for holding and holding-the-stick respectively.

The Gulls were able to finally get a win over the central division foes as Sam Carrick’s goal-line backhand clearance made it’s way down ice and into the vacated Griffins net. San Diego coming away winners 3-1 with the hometown Brent Gates Jr getting the game winner on his fourth of the season.