Licking their wounds following a tough loss to the Barracuda the depleted Gulls headed to Bakersfield for the second game on their brief road-trip. Matt Lorito made his return from injury and Andy Welinkski was inserted into the line-up for a much needed boost on the Power Play. Lukas Dostal was given the start on the back to back but most other lines remained the same.
Thanks to the wonder that is AHL TV we did not see the first eight minutes of action but thankfully there was no scoring during this time. As we joined the game mid-play – Bakersfield were firmly entrenched in the Gulls zone on the attack.
Lukas Dostal looked sharp early, making several key saves and Jeremy Roy also made a noticeably good defensive play to prevent chance in front as the Condors pressed. The Gulls were awarded a penalty with under eight minutes left but looked absolutely awful with the man advantage as they seemed to be skating through concrete coming through the neutral zone. Needless to say they generated no shots and no shot attempts on this Power Play.
Max Golod was given a slashing penalty with just under two and a half minutes left in the opening period but the Gulls were able to kill the minor without too much difficulty, Bryce Kindopp also getting a perfect steal toward the end of the kill. Teams skated to the first intermission scoreless with shots 12-5 for the Condors, looking at the shot map it was more like 12 to 3 though.
Bakersfield opened the scoring just over two minutes into the middle frame as an odd-man rush lead to a cross-ice pass that beat Dostal as he slid across to make the stop. 1-0 Condors.
The Gulls struck right back on the following face-off, Hunter Drew cashed in on a rebound as he drove the Condors net for his second goal in three games. 1-1 tie game.
The goal appeared to wake the Gulls up as they dominated the Bakersfield zone for the next few minutes, coming close on several opportunities including one from the Captain as he stripped the puck from former Gull Adam Cracknell down low.
As the Gulls continued their frenetic frenzy they slowly began to balance the shot totals and Hunter Drew continued to be a force. Drawing a hooking penalty as he came through the neutral zone.
San Diego saw their first penalty shot of the season go against them as Trevor Carrick was found guilty of preventing a scoring chance on the Condors Ryan McLeod. The Bakersfield forward swinging in wide to draw Dostal out and then sweeping the puck in five-hole to make it 2-1 Condors – shorthanded.
Despite the setback the Gulls continued right where they left off, generating chances in the Condors zone and coming close on opportunities for Sam Carrick and Chase De Leo. Momentum seemed to slow as San Diego continued to be frustrated by a combination of Stuart Skinner and the Condors defense boxing out in front of his crease.
The Condors managed to break the San Diego pressure and get some opportunities of their own as the period wound down and the middle frame ended with the Condors ahead 2-1 and in shots 26-20.
Sam Carrick drew a call as he was clipped by a knee from Neimaleinen 35 seconds into the third period and the Gulls went back to the malfunctioning Power Play. This third opportunity with the man advantage did look a lot better than the previous two but ultimately came up empty. The Gulls continued to pressure after the penalty expired and Coach Dineen rewarded Hunter Drew for his strong play by elevating him to the top line with Sam Carrick and Chase De Leo for the rest of the game.
Play was middling (and to be honest pretty damn boring) for much of the period until the Gulls got caught puck watching and allowed Condors forward James Hamblin to puck handle his way into the high slot then fire a shot over the shoulder of Lukas Dostal. 3-1 Condors.
Bakersfield were awarded a Power Play as Hunter Drew was a little too excited in the Condors crease and on the Gulls penalty kill the Officials decided Antoine Morand fell on his own as he came out of the neutral zone with the puck despite being less than a meter from him on the play.
San Diego came with a push in the final two minutes but it was the same story as the last game as they ultimately came up short, heading to another loss 3-1. Post whistle scuffles broke out – thanks mostly in part to Desharnais being a giant douchebag and the Gulls resolved to get their revenge hopefully once their roster would be some day more intact.
Post Game Notes
Too Much Dough
Lukas Dostal had a great start to the season and it was the right call for Dineen to ride him while he was hot at the time. But lately the dough has gone soft and a lot more mental lapses have entered his game. Olle Eriksson Ek looked steady in his first start and win – I’d like to see him get more opportunity. Playing the same goaltender back to back makes no sense whatsoever. Ride the hot goalie. Give Olle a chance.
Movement Up Top
The NHL Trade deadline is fast approaching April 12th and due to his hot play of late – Rickard Rakells name has come to the forefront of players that would-be cup contenders are targeting. One would expect at the very least a first round pick and middle to high tier prospect in return. But if Murray manages to swing something special and gets a roster player as well – then hopefully that means the Gulls can either get somebody back from the Ducks in the shuffle or a roster player of their own from the potential suitors farm team.
Heart and Soul Hunter
Hunter Drew has been the Gulls best player the last three games. Actually I can’t speak for the last game as I didn’t see it but I am assuming he played well in that one too. That is really nice to see and a great story, but it also means the rest of the team needs to wake the fuck up. Yes they are down in numbers due to injury and call-ups but everyone played with as much enthusiasm as Drew has been – they could maybe steal some wins.
Special Mention
The Bakersfield Arena music guy was killing it tonight. Andy didn’t seem to be a fan of the Hip Hop choices but almost every song was a back to back late 90s early 2000s banger. Somebody has clearly been in lock-down too long and pining for better times. I feel you buddy.
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