2021-2022 Game 51: San Diego Gulls @ Henderson Silver Knights

Taking two straight wins in convincing fashion over the Silver Knights, the Gulls headed back east to face them in the desert for the last time this regular season (before their final meeting with them back home at Pechanga on Tuesday). They did so without Kodie Curran, who was moved to Boston in a trade involving Hampus Lindholm. The Providence Bruins Urho Vaakanainen – acquired in the trade; did not make it to Henderson in time to suit up.

Some very last minute changes (as in reported midway through the first last minute) saw Nik Brouillard moved back to defense as Badini drew back in. Nathan Larose took Curran’s spot on the pairing with Larsson. Axel Andersson was the mystery last minute scratch. Olle Eriksson Ek got the start.

First Period:

Henderson elected to give Jiri Patera the night off and started an ECHL/SPHL call up playing on a PTO so San Diego did their best to get shots on him and early.

Penalties were traded in the early goings with Olle Eriksson Ek needing to look alert for the Gulls while San Diego had trouble both gaining the zone and getting set with their opportunity.

The Silver Knights opened the scoring at the midway point after a goal mouth scramble had the puck bounce fortuitously for them and the Gulls failed to outnumber the attackers down low. 1-0 Henderson.

Henderson held the majority of play for the remainder of the period, keeping the Gulls to just three shots on the period as they headed to the first intermission down by one and behind in shots 7-3.

Second Period: Henderson Silver Knights 1 – San Diego Gulls 0

The Gulls did appear to be attempting to get more shots on net to start the second but also got a little too overzealous in their efforts and Trevor Carrick was called for slashing just over two minutes in.

Able to kill the minor San Diego tried to get back on the attack but found the Silver Knights applying a tight layered defense in their own zone and they again struggled to get anything through to the net and their relatively untested goaltender.

San Diego were awarded a crucial Power Play just before the midway point of the period and won the offensive zone face-off to set up in the Henderson zone. With the extra space allowed they were able to get shots on the Silver Knights net and a Nik Brouillard shot allowed Alex Limoges to collect a rebound to get the Gulls on the board and tie things up. 1-1.

The goal gave the Gulls a lift and they suddenly found more jump and space to execute some chances, earning another Power Play as Jacob Perreault sold a slashing call much to the Henderson crowds displeasure.

The Silver Knights appeared extra motivated to kill the minor as their fans continued to voice their displeasure with the Officials and just as it seemed they might do so a bad clearance by Henderson went straight to Trevor Carrick at the blue line. The former Barracuda Captain with time and space to wire a hard wrist shot high over the Henderson goaltender through traffic to bring an even louder chorus of boos from the crowd. 2-1 Gulls.

San Diego went on their third straight Power Play as Brent Gates Jr was hooked on a stop-start move he made at the top of the Henderson right circle and the Gulls once again made the Silver Knights pay. Keeping the Henderson zone for much of the man advantage and looking for chances – including Jacob Perreault attempting another Michigan move from behind the net. The Gulls ended the time with the extra man with Danny O’Regan swinging out from the side of the net and firing a pass across that deflected out front, sitting perfectly for Bryce Kindopp to control and lift over the sprawling goaltender. 3-1 Gulls.

Henderson were given a Power Play of their own in the final two minutes after a behind the play mix up between BO Groulx and a Henderson player resulted in only Groulx getting the penalty for interference.

The Gulls finishing out the period having taken a two goal lead and the lead in shots 14-11 after only getting three in the first period.

Third Period: San Diego Gulls 3 – Henderson Silver Knights 1

Starting the period killing the remainder of the Groulx penalty the Gulls did just that but soon found themselves on a four on four after a post whistle scrum resulted in matching minors for Larsson and Loewen. The Silver Knights looked the much better team with the lesser amount of players as Pavel Dorofeyev took advantage of the time and space allowed to create his own chance on Eriksson Ek – which he was able to stop but could not prevent the follow up from the Silver Knights best forward. 3-2 Gulls.

Henderson rode momentum from the goal and had the Gulls under seige, getting a game tying goal minutes later via a point shot that deflected high over Olle Eriksson Eks shoulder. On the broadcast feed it looked to have been touched by a high stick and the the Gulls players argued but after conferring the Officials deemed it a good goal. 3-3 tie game.

The little love lost between these two teams in their third straight game facing each-other erupted in some serious scuffles after the whistle which saw Hunter Drew and Jermaine Loewen given ten minute misconducts and the end of both of their respective nights.

Time eventually wound down on the period as it felt like the Gulls seemed to content to try take things in overtime and we headed to the extra session for the first time since January in Ontario.

Over Time: San Diego Gulls 3 – Henderson Silver Knights 3

You could tell it was only the Gulls third time going to overtime this season as they seemed completely unaware of the importance of possession in the three man game. Henderson enjoyed the majority of the time with the puck through the first half of the five minutes before Jacob Perreault took matters into his own hands and drew a penalty by creating his own rush all the way from the Gulls defensive zone. He wanted a penalty shot as he was pulled down on his way to the net but was given a tripping penalty. The Gulls sent everything they could at the Henderson net but their formally untested goaltender suddenly transformed into an impenetrable wall, stopping every high danger chance. Time expired on the extra session to send us to the penalty shoot out.

Jacob Perreault had the Gulls first shot and had the Henderson goaltender beat but whiffed on his finish and sent it wide. Olle stopped the next shooter but could not stop the second and as it fell upon Danny O’Regan to keep the shoot out alive he was stopped. Henderson taking the win.

Post Game Notes:

Farewell Kodie

It should not have been a shock but it still was and is. Curran was never given a fair opportunity in this organization and definitely deserved better than what he was given. That said, I would have loved for him to come back and be a part of the Gulls long term leadership if he was willing to accept that role. He now has the opportunity to join the Bruins in their playoff push with a chance to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs if they suffer any injuries along the way. I was counting on him to be the mentor and left-side partner for the incoming Drew Helleson – now the best option for that is Trevor Carrick as I would not want to trust either Jacob Larsson or Brendan Guhle with that responsibility.

Velkommen Vaak

As Curran departs. Urho Vaakanainen comes in from Providence to join the Gulls – hopefully for their next game. He was drafted in the same year as Max Comtois and Antoine Morand, selected 18th overall by the Bruins in the first round. From reading up on him, he is described as a two way defender with good puck moving ability and was looking good this season up until a concussion sidelined him part way through the season. What is concerning is he appears to have a history of concussions that have prevented him from progressing much further than the AHL in his career thus far. He shoots left so likely takes the spot of Larose. I would expect Brouillard moves back up to forward with Helleson coming in as well but then again, that depends on another player who was missing from tonight’s line-up.

AWOL Axel

Given Andy didn’t mention much about him at all on the broadcast tonight, it does not bode well that his absence was due to injury or illness. By the time you read this (if you are reading it tomorrow) he may have been traded. Although I really hope not. Andersson has been the Gulls best defender this season and was showing real promise to becoming a legit NHL prospect for the Ducks in their rebuild. I just have a horrible feeling that he has been moved in a deal involving Rickard Rakell. The Leafs have been heavily rumored to be in on Rakell and are in need of defenders also.