2021-2022 Game 68: San Diego Gulls vs Tucson Roadrunners

In their final game of the regular season and still missing some key core players to NHL call-up the Gulls iced the same roster in their last chance to prepare for their playoff series against the rival Reign.

Logan Nijhoff played in his third consecutive professional game centering the fourth line consisting of previous healthy scratches Jack Badini and Vincent Marleau on his wings. Other lines remained the same also – with Lopina sticking with the re-imagined first line in the place of the injured BO Groulx. Axel Andersson, Brendan Guhle, Brayden Tracey and BO Groulx remained out with injury while Lukas Dostal got the start.

First Period:

Although the action was somewhat frantic – it took six minutes for the Roadrunners to register the first shot of the game. San Diego followed up a shot of their own less than a minute later as both teams began to settle into a rhythm.

Lucas Elvenes had perhaps the Gulls best chance of the early going as he received a pass from Bryce Kindopp on the half wall but then spent the next few precious seconds stick handling in one place while waiting for an opening to pass before eventually forcing one through the middle that did not go.

Time flew by quickly for the remainder of the period with the Gulls only other golden chance again coming off a Bryce Kindopp pass – this time from behind the net to a waiting Brent Gates in front but his shot was denied.

A scoreless start followed through to the first intermission with the Gulls lagging in shots 9-5 but clearly having the two better opportunities while Dostal saw most of his shots from the perimeter.

Second Period: San Diego Gulls 0 – Tucson Roadrunners 0

San Diego saw their first penalty of the game just under two minutes into the middle frame as Josh Lopina was called for tripping while attempting to get a loose puck in the neutral zone.

In an eventful two minutes that featured both Lukas Dostal having to be alert and make a desperate snow-angel save at the far post as well as Drew Helleson later blocking a shot with his face that initially saw the young defender go down in pain but then come back and play the next shift.

Tucson continued to pressure the Gulls after the penalty expired and as the shots ticked up it felt like only a matter of time before they broke through. A broken play in the high slot leaving the Gulls exposed and Dostal unable to stop a one-timer from a prime position. 1-0 Roadrunners.

San Diego picked up their play following the goal, trying to get more shots on net at a bare minimum but also creating some better chances in the process.

With four minutes left in the period things started to open up with some end to end action and back to back partial breaks – a style that was welcome relief to the slow and steady grind but which quickly ended badly for the Gulls as some poor back-checking meant they again failed to pick up the trailer. 2-0 Roadrunners.

Tucson taking a 2-0 lead to the second intermission and a dominant 26-9 difference in shots.

Third Period: Tucson Roadrunners 2 – San Diego Gulls 0

In their final period of the regular season the Gulls came out with a little bit more jump but it was a feeble whimper that was easily quashed by the Roadrunners as they took back control and promptly put the Gulls back on the penalty kill as Dostal was called for tripping.

Killing the minor San Diego tried to get back on the attack but played the same frustratingly familiar disjointed and uncoordinated game that we have seen them play for stretches far too often this season.

With 12:11 left the Gulls lucked into their first Power Play of the game when Jacob Larsson was hit well after the whistle and the Roadrunners were called for interference.

Once again playing a patient passing game in the Tucson zone the Gulls looked to be doing not much before a point shot was tipped by Bryce Kindopp standing in front of the Roadrunners net to make it 2-1.

San Diego seemed to suddenly wake up as they kept the Roadrunners hemmed in their zone against a tired line but could not convert and once Tucson were able to clear they managed to wrestle back control of the contest.

Nik Brouillard took an ill advised and silly cross-checking penalty with four minutes left but as the Gulls killed the minor it felt like there was too little time left – particularly with Tucson making it difficult for Dostal to get to the bench for the extra attacker.

San Diego had Tucson under a barrage of shots in the final ten seconds of the game with the Roadrunners goaltender struggling to get back into position but also protected by a wall of bodies, Danny O’Regan found Josh Lopina in the high slot and the rookie picked the perfect time to score his first professional goal. 2-2 tie game with just six seconds left.

San Diego essentially started the extra session on the penalty kill as Danny O’Regan was called for hooking just nine seconds in. Some great penalty killing from Bryce Kindopp and key saves from Dostal erased the minor and as San Diego tried to spring O’Regan for a breakaway he was cross-checked trying to drive in front of the Tucson net. Despite some good looks the Gulls could not convert and both teams headed to a shootout.

Tucson ultimately winning in the shootout with the Gulls shooters failing to fire.

Post Game Notes:

Who Is Coming Back

I got asked maybe three or four times who was coming back from the Ducks during this game and even though I have mentioned it a few times in the post game notes before – here it is again. Despite a player being eligible by not needing to clear waivers – they also need to have been assigned to the Gulls roster by the “deadline” that took place this past NHL trade deadline. On that day the Ducks assigned Simon Benoit and Buddy Robinson in paper transactions. While Trevor Carrick, Danny O’Regan and Hunter Drew were already on the Gulls roster at the time so they will be eligible also. Why didn’t they assign other players like Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale or even Vinni Lettieri? I guess it’s the way of the Ducks showing belief in the core they have in San Diego while also allowing players that need time to develop – to develop; the only way to get experience is to gain it.

Believe? Or Be Realistic

As much as I would love to “believe” – based on their play for the last few weeks I really can’t see the Gulls winning this series against the Reign. At this point it feels more like a formality. A lot of fans can’t really understand the new playoff format and why a team like the Gulls with a sub .500 record could qualify and still ultimately have a chance at making their way through while teams in other divisions with positive wining records miss out. I tend to agree with them. Yes the Gulls will receive some players back while the Reign will not but the Kings prospect pool is so deep that it really doesn’t matter, Ontario are a far more talented squad regardless of who would also be able to play had the Kings missed the playoffs like the Ducks have. Unless Dostal puts on an inhuman display – it is looking very likely the Gulls season will be over by the end of this coming week.

Still To Come

That said. I want to take a step back and say please do not feel disheartened. We can look at back on this season with a lot of what-ifs and why-thats as compared to the last two years but there is no sense in dwelling on the past. Look ahead to the future. The Ducks are now officially in rebuild mode which can only mean good things for the Gulls because even as they opt to develop-on-the-fly a lot of their franchise stars of the future – they will also be restocking the cupboard with plenty more and giving them ample playing time in San Diego. In a case of irony not lost on me when I say this – if you want to feel better about the future, look no further than the Reign. The Gulls will be in that position in less than two years if not as soon as next season depending on what Pat Verbeek does this off-season and at the draft.