2022-2023 Game 6: San Diego Gulls at Abbotsford Canucks

Back on the road, the Gulls flew north to Vancouver to face the 6th in the division Abbotsford Canucks.

Brent Gates Jr remained a scratch (inured?) for his second straight game and forward lines remained the same while Luka Profaca drew back in – this time for Olli Juolevi.

Lukas Dostal once again got the start.

First Period:

The Gulls looked good to start but it would be the home team that struck first as Danila Klimovich made a very nice move in front of the San Diego net, then drew Dostal out of position and fed the puck back through the crease for an easy tap in for John Stevens. 1-0 Canucks.

San Diego responded by picking up the hitting and holding possession via some good transition but frustratingly any chances they generated in the Abbotsford zone were all “one and done” as the Canucks would too easily recover the puck and transition back the other way. The score quickly becoming 2-0 on one such play as the home team’s counter attack resulted in another pretty goal that Dostal was given no chance on. 2-0 Canucks.

While the Gulls continued to frustrate me with their inability to retain possession in the Abbotsford zone, the Canucks proceeded to treat the neutral zone like their own private Autobahn. Entering the San Diego zone with speed as they pleased and thus creating space by causing the defence to back-up.

Soon after the Gulls came close on a Josh Healey blast that hit the post, the Canucks took a 3-0 lead on a point shot of their own that took a deflection and beat Dostal through traffic. 3-0 Canucks.

The Gulls were given a Power Play when Kindopp was high-sticked but could not convert and Abbotsford rubbed further salt in the wound with another goal on a broken play and some very unlucky bounces in front of the San Diego net. 4-0 Canucks.

Mercifully the horn sounded for the end of the period and the Gulls entered the first intermission down by four goals and trailing in shots 9-7.

Second Period: Abbotsford Canucks 4 – San Diego Gulls 0

The second started with Olle Eriksson Ek in net and some rough and tumble on the ice which ended in Perreault and the Canucks’ Kalynuk receiving roughing minors.

Erikkson Ek was forced to make some big stops right away as the Gulls allowed back to back odd man opportunities – the Swedish net-minder stopping both by coming across in time or flashing the glove for the other.

The physical play continued to pick up but the Gulls rose to the occasion, driving the Canucks net and starting to win puck battles in the Abbotsford zone. BO Groulx won one such puck battle down low and fed Axel Andersson at the point – the Swedish defender used the additional time and space afforded him to skate in, fake a shot then wire one through traffic to make it 4-1.

Minutes later Groulx drew a call in the Canucks zone as he acquired a human backpack but on the San Diego Power Play a fumbled shot in the high slot by Danny O’Regan ended in a shorthanded goal for the home team. 5-1 Canucks.

The Gulls got one back soon after the Power Play expired as Austin Strand wired a shot from the point that hit bodies in front before trickling over the goal line. On replay it was shown that it hit Canucks defender Brady Keeper in the face before going into the net. 5-2 Canucks.

The Gulls continued to carry play for the remainder of the period but could not generate another high danger chance and time ran out on the period. San Diego playing a much better period but still trailing – now 5-2 as they went to the second intermission and behind in shots 18-14.

Third Period: Abbotsford Canucks 5 – San Diego Gulls 2

San Diego had a very good start to the third – throwing the body and giving no quarter enroute to dominating the Canucks zone and earning a Power Play in the process. Just seconds into the extra man they were gifted a bonus when Christian Wolanin airmailed the puck over the glass on a clearance.

On the five on three man advantage it took a beat but eventually Danny O’Regan threaded a perfect pass to Brayden Tracey at the backdoor for the tap in. 5-3 Canucks.

Abbotsford killed the remaining penalty and as play returned to five on five the Gulls continued to push forward to try close the gap.

Just when it felt like the Gulls were trending in the right direction the Canucks instantly shifted momentum with a big open ice hit by Jet Woo on Perreault as he slipped behind the defense. Abbotsford then beat Eriksson Ek with a give and go play as the Gulls defense stood and watched. 6-3 Canucks.

San Diego fell into penalty trouble in the final eight minutes of play and Abbotsford made them pay – making it 7-3 with the man advantage with just over six minutes remaining.

The initial four goal deficit suffered in the first period proving too much as the Gulls eventually fell by that same margin – dropping back to 2-4-0 to start the season.

Post Game Notes:

The Good

The Gulls transition game has been much much better this season. Their one touch passes and speed at getting the puck out of their own zone and up ice has been the biggest improvement over last year to me. It feels like something they have practiced on a regimental basis almost like a set play. However…

The Bad

Once they gain the offensive zone it seems that’s where the set play ends – every single time it feels like there is no plan other than to get a shot on net then hope to win the puck back afterward. The complete lack of creativity or reads off each-other is baffling at times. At one point tonight Brouillard made a nice zone entry and slowed up as he entered the high slot looking for options, he had multiple Gulls to choose from but neither took a suitable line for him to pass off to. That’s where the coaching staff need to now focus – giving the guys a plan for once they get into the offensive zone.

Early season stats

Unsurprisingly – Nik Brouillard leads the team in scoring with eight points in six games. Grimaldi is second with seven in five while O’Regan, Tracey Gawdin and Groulx follow close behind. Grimaldi was completely invisible in today’s game and didn’t much further his case for being signed and sent up to the struggling Ducks. At this point Brayden Tracey has been the Gulls best forward and is most worthy of the first call up – he has five points in six games and is the only positive player through six games. I realise its a flawed stat but it does back up that he has been driving play while also being defensively responsible. I feel that Drew Helleson has been the best defender and is worthy of the call up on the defensive side of things. The Gulls Power Play is middle of the pack right now – clicking at 22.9%, 16th in the AHL. Surprisingly so is the Penalty Kill – currently also ranked 16th at 78.6%, I definitely would have thought they were higher than that. Meanwhile Dostal and Erikkson Ek are not having a great start – currently sitting 51st (Erikkson Ek) and 58th (Dostal) in GAA. While sitting 57th and 60th in Save Percentage.