2021-2022 Game 29: San Diego Gulls @ Abbotsford Canucks

Finishing out their road trip with a two game weekend in Abbotsford the Gulls received Bryce Kindopp back from injury but lost Trevor Carrick at the same time.

Elvenes was put back on a line with Alex Limoges (finally!) up front while the Golod/Josling pairing was rotated with a different center. Defensive pairings rotated partners. Francis Marotte got his sixth straight start.

First Period:

It wasn’t the best start for the Gulls as right off the opening face-off, Bryce Kindopp appeared to lose his balance and fall in the neutral zone, leaving space for the Canucks to make a break with just Hunter Drew defending. A pass across the slot ended in an easy opening score just ten seconds into the action. 1-0 Canucks.

Abbotsford were all over the Gulls for the next ten minutes but they also deployed a little too much stick-work, being found guilty of slashing in the process. San Diego were unable to get much done with the extra man – one play coming tantalizingly close but Bryce Kindopp had his back to the puck and could not see it sitting just behind him.

The Canucks went right back to dominating the San Diego zone and doubled their lead on a goal that Francis Marotte would definitely want back as an Ashton Sautner shot from the high circle just barely squeaked by him through the five-hole.

The Gulls showed some life just after the halfway mark as a face-off win from Brent Gates came back to Axel Andersson, who then found Lucas Elvenes near the top of the circles. The newly acquired Swede smartly drawing Canuck defenders to him before sending the puck to Kodie Curran at the left side as he used the time and space allowed to fire a perfect wrist shot into the far side of the net. 2-1 Canucks on his first of the season and Elvenes fourth straight assist in two games.

San Diego were awarded two more Power Plays and started to turn the momentum around but could not get anything done with either as the Abbotsford penalty kill slowed down their zone entries and appeared to hasten the Gulls movement with the puck, leading to mistakes.

The Gulls finished the opening frame down by one and behind in shots 8-6 despite having the three to nothing Power Play advantage.

Second Period: Abbotsford Canucks 2 – San Diego Gulls 1

The Gulls initially came out flat footed to start the middle frame but by the fifteen minute mark had settled into a rhythm while starting to string together some chances in the Abbotsford zone. Both Lucas Elvenes and Kodie Curran looked dangerous whenever they had the puck – using poise and patience to start a play as well as look to finish it whenever the opportunity arose.

The Canucks stuck to the Gulls like glue for much of the rest of the period with time flying by – broken up by three straight penalties against San Diego, the final of which was dubious at best but thankfully also resulted in four on four play.

As the four on four play ended and with the Gulls on the attack with space but seemingly looking dead on their feet a goal scramble near the Canucks net saw Alex Limoges try to bank it off the goaltender then recover the puck at the side as a defender tried to cover it, Lucas Elvenes then scooped it up skated around the net and fired it from a bad angle over the prone Abbotsford goalie. 2-2 tie game.

With just over a minute left the Canucks retook the lead on a goal that likely shouldn’t have been a goal as a pass across the Gulls net was kicked on goal where it hit the post and then continued momentum off the Canucks players skate. The Gulls argued the call but play continued soon after with San Diego down 3-2.

San Diego heading to the second intermission looking much better after a great fight back but still down by a goal that likely shouldn’t have been counted. Shots were 19-12 for the Canucks.

Third Period: Abbotsford Canucks 3 – San Diego Gulls 2

Starting the third killing a minor assessed to Adams-Moisan in the final seconds of the second frame the Gulls were again on the wrong side of the Officials as Greg Printz was assessed a ten minute misconduct for something I did not see that apparently occurred at the end of the second so I am guessing he questioned their intelligence following the soccer goal. Which is fair enough.

Play became very chippy with the Gulls losing not only Printz but then Josling who dropped the gloves with the Canucks Tristen Nielsen as he had roughed up Max Golod after a clean hit delivered in the Canucks zone.

Abbotsford erased any doubt over the goal that shouldn’t have been a goal when they added to their lead via a Will Lockwood tally but then the Gulls got one back on the Power Play just over four minutes later via some great passing in the Canucks zone – ending in an easy Alex Limoges finish at the side of the net. 4-3 Canucks.

But Greg Printz then put Abbotsford back on the Power Play – penalized for a hooking call behind the play.

The Canucks extinguishing the Gulls late come-back rally with a goal at five on four and snapping their three game win streak started when they last faced them at home at Pechanga.

The Gulls look to regroup for a quick turn around and afternoon rematch tomorrow.

Post Game Notes:

When Adversity Is Too Much

The Gulls have been winning despite the odds lately, playing at less than full strength against teams with full line-ups. It seems that tonight that came back to bite them, they looked flat for much of the game and when they did create space and opportunities for themselves, they looked half asleep trying to execute. With Carrick being absent from the line-up (as well as Joel Bouchard missing from behind the bench) this time it seems that the COVID breakout doesn’t seem to be quite done with the team just yet while the Ducks are hopefully coming out the other side of theirs as well as having some players returning form injury. Latest reports indicate Adam Henrique should play mid road-trip, Josh Mahura has been activated from injured reserve and well – the other players currently on COVID protocol have to come back eventually?

Beating The House

Lucas Elvenes now has eight points in five games since joining the Gulls and has assisted on or scored all of their last six. He is now tied for second on the team in scoring with the idle Jacob Perreault and is looking like perhaps the Ducks best waiver claim perhaps in their entire history. It is pretty clear that his vision is another level the only negative I have seen of his play thus far is the odd turnover when a team-mate was not expecting a pass but that will come with time and chemistry. He could potentially be the only thing keeping the Gulls afloat until they can get some more bodies back. Thanks Vegas!

Hot and Cold

On the note of players getting hot – Kodie Curran looked a man possessed tonight. I guess playing in your home country and a breakfast of Tim Hortons gives that extra boost. It was surprising to see that was his first goal of the season and perhaps explains why he has been overlooked again for a Ducks recall this season – I would put money on him being one of the Gulls more consistent and dominant defenders over the next stretch. Meanwhile Brayden Tracey has gone luke warm – with a single assist in his last three games; I’d like to see him getting back to his cocky confident levels displayed during a back to back multi-point stretch. Alex Limoges has three goals in his last four games after scoring just four in the 21 games previous.