2020-2021 Game 36: San Diego Gulls vs Henderson Silver Knights

Looking to continue their win streak and follow up on a team-effort win the night before, the Gulls faced off against the Silver Knights once again with no change to the line up but for Olle Eriksson Ek getting the start. It had been speculated that with Ryan Getzlaf leaving Anaheim’s game yesterday that Trevor Zegras might be recalled before this game but he was still in the line-up come game-time.

Henderson were able to get their suffocating forecheck started early and caught the Gulls sleeping as Danny O’Regan got the scoring started by going top shelf on Eriksson Ek after a broken play saw the puck bounce to him at the near side of the net. 1-0 Henderson.

But San Diego were able to respond quickly, getting even on a Power Play goal that was created by a nice rush from Josh Mahura. The third year pro defender taking the puck from his own end, faking the neutral zone drop and getting the zone entry before leaving a pass for De Leo and receiving it back on a give and go then timing a nice pass across to Andrew Agozzino for the easy tap in past the veteran Oskar Dansk. 1-1 tie game.

The Gulls followed the goal with a roll of sustained pressure in the Henderson zone, coming close on chances from what felt like almost all four lines. Trevor Zegras looked great getting in the dirty areas and winning battles to free the puck up to his wingers.

Despite San Diego enjoying the better of the Henderson zone for what felt like at least five minutes, the shot count was still heavily tilted in the Silver Knights favour as the period reached the final minute of action. Teams headed to the first intermission tied at one a piece but the visitors ahead in shots 14-6.

Despite the Gulls enjoying possession and control of the Henderson zone for much of the first five minutes of the middle frame, the Silver Knights regained their lead going against the grain as they struck through their top line. Lucas Elvenes given far too much time and space to circle the Gulls zone and find Cody Glass in the slot. 2-1 Henderson.

The Gulls came right back with some firepower of their own as Trevor Zegras tied things up just seconds later on a big response shift. Simon Benoit collected a pass back to the point and walked the line to find a lane before firing a shot that was blocked in front but found by Zegras. 2-2 tie game.

San Diego continued to occupy the Henderson zone for much of the period and added another via a crazy bounce as Trevor Zegras lost a face-off but Vinni Lettieri had the puck bounce off him and into the Silver Knights net while attempting to forecheck. 3-2 Gulls.

The Silver Knights responded right away, getting a point shot into a high traffic area and having it tipped by the impressive Lucas Elvenes. 3-3 Tie game.

Alex Limoges showed some great tenacity and hands as he had a shot blocked in front but followed it up to make a nice move, executing a beautiful backhand shot to give the Gulls the lead once again. 4-3.

But a horrible response shift from the Gulls allowed Danny O’Regan to sneak behind the defense and collect a head-man pass, no chance for Eriksson Ek on his hard shot. 4-4 tie game again.

Penalties and Power Plays were exchanged in the final five minutes of the period with both teams exerting offensive zone pressure in each-others zone. San Diego ending the period down a man but taking the tied score into the second intermission but with the Gulls catching up in shots through a much better period. 27-21 for the visitors.

Note: During this period Oscar Dansk was seen talking to the Henderson trainer and then making a hurried exit to the dressing room under his own power. He was replaced by Jiri Patera.

As if the score deemed it so, the third opened with some wild and wide open back and forth action. Olle Eriksson Ek forced to stop back to back point blank chances in front before the Gulls could spring Keegan Lowe on a breakaway as he exited the penalty box. The veteran defender unable to get his shot by replacement net-minder Jiri Patera.

Then, because I wrote that, both teams promptly reverted to the tight battle for neutral ice that we saw for much of yesterdays game.

This tense no quarters given style of play continued on for the rest of the period, lending a playoff-like atmosphere with neither team wanting to make the mistake that could be the decider.

The drama was not over with two minutes to go. First the Silver Knights were given the rare call of Bench Interference as the Officials deemed a player or somebody on the bench reached out and grabbed or pushed the puck as it went by their bench. Then as Henderson were able to kill the minor, the Gulls were under siege with Olle Eriksson Ek losing his stick during action. As Greg Printz went to poke check a Henderson player trying to get around him he inadvertently swept the prone goalie stick into the player and was also called for interference. San Diego survived the first thirty seconds of the Power Play but as the carry over leaked into overtime they could not stop Pavel Dorofeyev getting the game winning goal on a broken play just as the penalty was expiring. 5-4 Henderson in OT.

Post Game Notes:

Olle Update

I don’t give enough love to Olle Eriksson Ek lately. Tonight’s game might not have looked too good for his GAA but his Save Percentage was in the high figures once again, facing 44 shots and stopping 39. He has a 2.78 GAA and 0.909 SV% now through 12 games and is thirteenth overall in Save Percentage and fourteenth in GAA. He did not deserve to lose this game but was let down by some poor defense in some stretches.

Bakery Update

Sorry I haven’t done one of these in a while but since I am on the goal-tending stats page…. Dostal is now 5th overall in the league in Save Percentage with a 0.918 and 21st in GAA with 2.94. His Save Percentage has definitely bounced back but his GAA is still not great. He is tied with Logan Thompson having seen the most shots in the league in one fewer game of action, 673 total shots.

Zegras Praise

I feel I may have been too hard on Zegras lately. He played really well in this game, doing all of the things a capable center should. He was first to puck battles in his own zone and tenacious in causing turnovers in the offensive zone, driving the center lane on the rush if he did not have the puck and responsible on the back-check. It was an overall complete effort from him tonight worthy of a call-up. I should also mention and clarify what I did not state in my recent somewhat negative assessment of him. He has been definitely putting up the numbers, he has 12 points in 9 games since his return. Compared to 9 points 8 games in his earlier campaign it is an improvement but I guess my point was – he has not been taking over the game like was in parts of the start of the season. Today’s game he showed glimpses of that and his overall effort was the best I think he has shown since the switch to center. If the Ducks brass were waiting on a message or a response from him I think it has been sent.