2021-2022 Game 48: San Diego Gulls vs Ontario Reign

Finally returning home after their record eight-game road slate, the Gulls looked to stay in the win column but faced a very tough task against the rival Reign.

There were no changes to the lines or pairings and the only change to the line-up was Olle Eriksson Ek finally getting a start.

First Period:

The Gulls carried over the exact same confident and unrelenting forecheck style of play that served them well in their victory over Bakersfield – surprising the Reign early and causing a turnover that gave them the early lead. BO Groulx finished a great shift by jumping on a bad turnover and wiring it high over Villaltas shoulder. 1-0 Gulls.

Jacob Larsson was called for slashing but as the Gulls successfully erased the minor against the leagues top Power Play their confidence jumped another level and the game started to open up with San Diego regularly looking to spring players on partial breaks regardless of their position.

The Reign came back to diffuse the Gulls relentless attack and control play – although in a still somewhat chaotic fashion – for the final five minutes of the period as San Diego hit the first intermission up by one and ahead by one shot 9-8.

Second Period: San Diego Gulls 1 – Ontario Reign 0

It was a disjointed and slightly out of sorts start to the second period for the Gulls and the Reign threatened to take advantage of that as they were given a two on one break in the first few minutes of action but Olle Eriksson Ek snared the chance in his glove.

Ontario’s first line did continue to give the Gulls defence issues while putting the Reigns best chances on Eriksson Ek and just as it seemed like the visitors might be slowly turning momentum a break away created by Nik Brouillard to send Hunter Drew in alone on Villalta gave the Gulls a 2-0 lead. The two converted defenders creating some offensive magic with Drew putting his beautiful shot on display.

The Gulls rode the energy from the near sell-out Pechanga crowd and moments later it was 3-0 as Brendan Guhle walked the line and unleashed a bomb that beat Villalta through traffic. The former Buffalo prospect looking shocked as his team-mates mobbed him in celebration. Note: They later credited this goal to Kindopp.

With both teams trading Power Play chances the game opened up somewhat once again, as the Gulls enjoyed a very brief five on three and then a full two minute Power Play that they came very close to scoring on.

The physicality picked up as well as the little love lost between these two teams as a post whistle scrum instigated by Doty driving Jack Badini into the Reign net ended in a post whistle scrum with players pairing off.

As the resulting four on four expired so too did the period and the Gulls headed to the second intermission up 3-0 over their rivals and near division leaders, looking every bit the better team while clearly riding their home crowd for additional energy. Shots were 16-14 for the Gulls after forty and 7-6 on the period.

Third Period: San Diego Gulls 3 – Ontario Reign 0

The Reign came with a blitzkrieg to start the third, throwing everything at Eriksson Ek and taking the lead in shots by generating four of them in the first three minutes of play.

BO Groulx put a stop to the attempt at a permanent shift in momentum by once again causing a turnover down low in the Ontario zone and then all in one motion, sweeping a casual shot five-hole to make it 4-0 Gulls and sending the Pechanga crow into a frenzy.

Ontario tried to respond with some borderline run and gun dangerous play but the Officials saw fit to nip that in the bud and assessed a minor to Austin Wagner for boarding as he attempted to inject energy into his squad via some senseless violence. The Gulls were unable to convert with the man advantage but kept forward momentum and possession as the clock swiftly ran down on any chance of a Reign come back.

San Diego taking the 4-0 win and shutting down the leagues best offense for a back to back shutout by two different goaltenders.

Post Game Notes:

Top Line Stays Hot

Groulx opening the scoring and then getting another on a very similar play in the third ensured the top line remained hot and they were visibly the most dominant of the Gulls lines, particularly as Jacob Perreault appeared to grow in confidence as the game went on. Speaking of Perreault, it is well overdue time for an update on….

Battle Of The Trades

The Montour Trade vs the Kase Trade.

Guhle and Tracey vs Perreault and Andersson.

6 + 26 points vs 25 + 7 points for the season has them neck and neck in points at 32. Who will be the victor? All jokes aside, for the long term I don’t see Guhle being in the Ducks plans unless he stays as a depth/veteran defensemen for the Gulls. He has been given an A this season so that is a possibility. Whereas Pereault is going to be a top six winger for the Ducks and Andersson deserves to be called up by the end of this season for his first look and is showing all the signs of a late-bloomer. Tracey will likely become a reliable third line all-rounder for the Ducks eventually but it’s looking like the Kase trade is the long term winner. On the note of Tracey…

Mid Game Line Changes

Tracey was taken off the Elvenes-Gates line during the second period and placed on a line with Badini and Marleau. I’m not sure if that was meant as a message or a demotion but he looked much better after the move. I guess he needs to be the go-to guy on his line and having he and Elvenes on the same set of three means one too many chefs in the kitchen. Keep an eye on that moving forward.

How About That

In the past two games the Gulls have taken down teams with far superior records to them while also completely shutting down their offense. It is hard to say whether opposing teams personnel woes are a factor. Both the Condors and Reign were missing some key veterans and players to call-up to their parent clubs. I do find it somewhat surprising in particular for the Reign – given how much depth they should have, I haven’t been following their or the Kings situation too closely. That said – given how well the Kings and now the Oilers are doing. We can expect they will continue to be without personnel even as the NHL regular season ends – which again, looks better for the Gulls if they want to make it out of the Pacific Division in the playoffs.