2020-2021 Game 41: San Diego Gulls @ Bakersfield Condors

With a tweak to the line-up that made use of the juggled-up combinations that staged an unsuccessful comeback in the loss yesterday, Coach Kevin Dineen opted for seven defenders and eleven forwards to try and halt the losing skid.

There was a playoff like intensity early on as teams traded Power Plays through the first ten minutes. The Gulls drew first blood through some great hard work, as both BO Groulx and Alex Limoges battled for a loose puck at either side of the net. Limoges coming up with the goods for his ninth of the season and the early 1-0 lead.

The Condors tied it back up with five minutes left in the period off a bad bounce. Dostal had just put on a spectacular display of turning aside six consecutive chances in close, then after the commercial-break a Condors player chased a dump in and fired it from behind the goal line off of the Gulls goaltender and into the net. 1-1 tie game. Oy.

BO Groulx was whistled for a dubious slashing call with a minute remaining in the opening period but the Gulls were able to kill the first part of the minor as time wound down. The Gulls and Condors heading to the first intermission tied 1-1 but shots favouring Bakersfield 20-7.

The Gulls were awarded another Power Play to start the middle frame as Kesselring was called for holding. San Diego again, looked threatening on the man advantage but could not convert.

Kodie Curran made a super human defensive play as he executed a well timed block on a three on one rush after Jacob Perreault and BO Groulx got mixed up entering the Condors zone.

Momentum slid back and forth while both teams continued to apply pressure, getting Power Plays in the process. San Diego survived the initial Bakersfield onslaught and broke through as a Power Play of their own expired. Jamie Devane providing a screen for a Jeremy Roy shot and then following up on the rebound. 2-1 Gulls.

San Diego controlling momentum as they took a one goal lead into the second intermission but still trailed in shots 28-15.

The ongoing trend of momentum shifts continued through the third set of twenty but again the Gulls broke through as Alex Limoges lead a rush then passed off to the right side to Andrew Potrualski as he drove the net. Poturalski smartly fired a shot-pass across the crease that Limoges deflected past Stuart Skinner to make it 3-1 Gulls.

Kodie Curran showed off some insane skill as he protected the puck on a puck carry into the Bakersfield zone, then realized he had a lane to the net while his defender attempted to box him out. The former SHL MVP winner faked to send a drop pass, then quickly shifted to his forehand and fired a shot from an impossible angle that was almost on the goal line over the shoulder of Skinner. 4-1 Gulls.

San Diego enjoyed all of the possession and chances for the remainder of the game as the Condors seemingly mentally checked-out and allowed the Gulls to skate away with the 4-1 victory.

Post Game Notes

Sign This Kid Already

Alex Limoges has a six game point streak and now has 19 points in 20 games. Using Dobbers AHL to NHL conversion rate that equates to 38 points in 82 NHL games. Not bad for an undrafted free-agent. The Ducks have quietly built a steady record of finding some steals in the undrafted College ranks. Chris Kunitz, Andy MacDonald, Kalle Kossila, Keifer Sherwood and now Alex Limoges – who looks like he could be a real difference maker. You have to think this PTO agreement turns into at least a three year entry level deal after the kind of numbers he has put up in his professional action.

Classy Curran

It’s not every game that he stands out like he did today but it feels like he has consistently been a steadying presence whenever he is in the line-up. I have said it before but he belongs in the NHL. Today’s game was one of those examples where his class is just too much for the competition, he looked like a man against boys out there, particularly on that fourth goal. The Ducks signed and brought him over based on his award winning season in the SHL, it makes no sense that they have not given him a shot yet. It feels like the Jani Hakanpaa route and if he does end up with a full time spot on the Ducks next year then he has more than earned it, but I hope his lack of a chance this season does not affect things long term.

Standings Update

If the Gulls win their next three and final regular season games they would have a 0.625 points percentage which is currently what the Condors are sitting on in second place. The Condors also have three more games, against the Henderson Silver Knights. If they manage to drop one of those games and the Gulls win all of their next three they can over-take them for second place and home-ice for their second round series – likely against the Condors. The Barracuda on the other hand – lost today, and are likely to stay in fourth.