Game 42: San Diego Gulls @ San Jose Barracuda

Coming off of their last minute disappointment overtime loss at home, the Gulls headed to San Jose to face a Barracuda line-up that would be missing leading scorers Max Lutonov and Alexander True – both recalled during the week.

Meanwhile Daniel Sprong had been recalled to the Ducks also – so Max Comtois was elevated to the first line to take his vacated spot. Alex Dostie was returned to the line up and took Comtois place on the second line alongside Lundestrom and Poturalski.

Much like previous encounters with the Barracuda the Gulls jumped out to an early lead as they relentlessly pressured the San Jose squad in their own zone. Chris Mueller potting in a rebound off of a Chris Wideman shot from the slot as he cruised through a lane. 1-0 Gulls.

San Jose responded just a couple of minutes later when Noah Gregor beat out Chris Wideman to an icing, regathered the puck and send it in front to a streaking and all-alone Ivan Checkhovich. The unmarked Russian easily faking around the aggressive Stolarz and tucking the puck in to even the score. 1-1.

The Barracuda gained some confidence and momentum from the goal and managed to generate a few more chances of their own – bringing the shot totals back to a more even 19-14 in favor of the Gulls to end the first twenty minutes of play. The Gulls with a Power Play that would hold-over into the second period as Antoine Morand drew an interference call on Danil Yurtaykin with just under two minutes left in the period.

The shot map showing that although San Diego started the period well, the Barracuda were able to sneak back toward the end of it.

San Jose started the second frame by killing the remaining time in the Gulls penalty and then swiftly putting Anthony Stolarz under siege – putting shot after shot after shot on the suddenly beleaguered goaltender.

Slowly but surely the Gulls were able to halt their momentum and started getting some chances of their own.

Simon Benoit finally broke the deadlock as he followed up on a play in the Barracuda zone and fired a hard wrist shot that Shortridge did not see. 2-1 Gulls.

San Diego were awarded a Power Play with five minutes left in the middle frame as Jeffrey Viel was called for roughing, but the Gulls Power Play seemed entirely uninterested in getting any sort of cohesion or set-up in the Barracuda zone and the time was easily and harmlessly erased by the home team.

With an additional chance to make good with the extra man just moments later as Justin Kloos was tripped by the rookie Blichfeld – the Gulls looked much better. First getting set and also getting good puck movement around the zone but some last-moment miscues ultimately let them down before the point of final execution and the Barracuda were able to escape another penalty kill unscathed.

Shots were 29-28 for the Gulls on the period as they headed to the second intermission with the narrow one goal lead. The Shot Map telling a more cautionary tale that the Gulls would need to get back to preventing scoring chances if they hoped to come away with the win after the final frame.

As the Doctor ordered, the Gulls began the third with a lot more jump.

Beginning with a partial breakaway by the Captain as he was sprung by a beautiful lob-pass from Max Comtois. Then punctuated by a multi-deflected shot by Guhle getting by Shortridge to give the Gulls a two goal lead. 3-1.

Things tightened up drastically after the goal and it took until the midway point of the period for the Barracuda to register their first shot on net. Shots were 3-1 for the Gulls at the nine and half minute mark.

Emotions boiled over as Comtois answered for a dirty hit laid on Mahura after the whistle by engaging Roy in the corner. The post-match scuffle resulted in penalties being dished to all parties involved.

The teams exchanged Power Plays for the next few minutes and the Barracuda got back within one with just under six minutes remaining in the game while on a four on four sequence as the Gulls failed to clear a puck from in front of their net. 3-2 Gulls.

The remaining time in the period was a tense experience as the Barracuda kept possession in the Gulls zone and chipped away at getting a puck through to Stolarz and past the San Diego collapsing defense in front.

Some great pressure on the point resulted in Alex Dostie getting an empty net marker to relieve the tension in the final minute of play. 3-1 Gulls.

San Diego were able to kill the remaining time and take the win 4-2, jumping back in to the fourth and final playoff spot in the Pacific, moving past the stationary Reign who did not play today.