Returning from the All Star break with the good news that Captain Chase De Leo is skating again – the San Diego Gulls looking to try again to get a win after a series of defeats – most recently at the hands of the visiting Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Coach Sommer changed up the lines once again – placing Brayden Tracey on the top line with Groulx and Grimaldi. Keeping Regenda and Gawdin together with the suddenly resurgent Bryce Kindopp placed on their line. Josh Lopina found himself centering Hunter Drew and David Cotton while the fourth line saw Gates centering Evan Weinger and Osipov. The newly signed Quinn Wichers was paired with Austin Strand as Frank Hora was announced as being out with an injury. The lone healthy scratch was Travis Howe.
Lukas Dostal was given the start with the newly recalled Gage Alexander backing him up – Olle Eriksson Ek had been recalled earlier in the day as injury cover for Anthony Stolarz.
First Period:
Starting out well on the forecheck San Diego had the better of the chances through the first ten minutes of action as all four lines rolled a high pace dump and chase strategy.
Gradually the Firebirds turned the tables and as their possession increased, so too did the shots in direct conjunction with the amount of penalties taken by the Gulls.
As San Diego killed their third straight penalty and enjoyed some chances in the Coachella Valley zone – they were rewarded with a high danger chance in the form of Brayden Tracey finishing a play by floating a backhand shot in front that bounced around and resulted in further rebound chances.
The Gulls finished the period on the Power Play that would carry roughly twenty seconds over onto a fresh sheet of ice in the second frame.
Shots were 13-8 to Coachella with the Gulls looking much better than previous outings yet still frustrating in other moments of execution.
Second Period: San Diego Gulls 0 – Coachella Valley Firebirds 0
With a short twenty second burst with the man advantage done the Gulls had a chance soon after but BO Groulx’s soft-hand move in front would not go.
Soon after the Gulls went right back to the penalty kill and saw some anxious moments as they squandered several chances to regain possession to clear before a fracas resulted after the penalty had expired when Nik Brouillard was boarded on an icing call after the whistle had already blown. Brouillard reacted accordingly – turned and threw a face-wash and some dabs at the perpetrator Kole Lind. Rocco Grimaldi must have also let his thoughts be known to the Officials as he was given an unsportsmanlike and we saw two minutes of four on four.
Play settled down somewhat and as time flew by on the period the visiting team continued to pile on the shots and the Gulls – continued to take penalties. Dmitry Osipov caught with a retaliatory shove after taking a shot from a Firebird sending San Diego to their fifth penalty kill.
After killing the penalty with authority – allowing no shots during the two minute span, the Gulls attempted to get back on the attack with five minutes remaining in the second frame.
San Diego were awarded a Power Play of their own when Nik Brouillard had his stick slashed out of his hand but once again the Gulls looked frustratingly unable to finish a play. Rocco Grimaldi with perhaps the best chance on the end of a nice passing play but electing to force the additional pass when he likely should have shot.
The final buzzer sounding in Pechanga with teams still scoreless but the visitors still heavily out-shooting San Diego 27-13.
Third Period: San Diego Gulls 0 – Coachella Valley Firebirds 0
The third period began with a lead antagonist and one the Gulls were very familiar with. Coachella Valley Captain Mac McCormick starting a shift by laying a questionable hit on Pavol Regenda and ending it by providing hollywood theatrics to a drawn tripping call on Josh Lopina.
It took just six seconds for the Firebirds to score on the resulting man advantage as it was six penalties too many. Kole Lind skating in on the right side off of a face-off win and wiring a shot by Dostal glove side. 1-0 Coachella Valley.
Pavol Regenda responded to the dirty hit from McCormick by following up his own shot not once but twice and finally potting it by Joey Daccord to tie things right back up less than two minutes later. 1-1 tie game.
The goal woke up San Diego and the intensity noticeably picked up as did the hitting.
As the bodies continued to fly and tempers flared a simple post whistle clearing from the front of the crease play by Pavol Regenda on Max McCormick saw the Coachella Valley Captain respond with a cross check to his face. Regenda wisely did not retaliate and the Gulls headed to the Power Play with seven minutes left in the period.
San Diego looked much better and more threatening on this iteration of the man advantage but this time the frustration lay in being unable to hit the net on chances from BO Groulx and Brayden Tracey.
It was a tense final few minutes as Coachella continued to threaten but the Gulls looked the most desperate they have in a long while as they clawed their way to preserve the deadlock and send this game to overtime.
OT: San Diego Gulls 1 – Coachella Valley Firebirds 1
With Coachella having possession to start the overtime a Brogan Rafferty one-timer fired wide allowed BO Groulx collect the puck and skate up ice, slowing up as he entered the Firebirds zone and dishing a pass to Rocco Grimaldi. Grimaldi then appeared to hesitate and fumble the puck before firing a shot on net that he then fought passed Joey Daccord to send the Pechanga faithful into raucous chaotic cheers.
The Gulls taking this one 2-1 in overtime and snapping the five game skid as well as collecting their first win against the new rival firebirds.
Post Game Notes:
Good News
It has been a while since we have any good news but we received TWO doses of it this week.
First: It was announced by Elliott Friedman in his 32 Thoughts Article (thought number 15) that Ducks 2019 second round pick Jackson LaCombe has indicated his intention to sign with Anaheim once his senior season at the University of Minnesota is completed. He is one of two Ducks defensive draft selections that had fans chewing their nails as to whether or not they would elect to test free-agency at the conclusion of their four year rights period. The other being 2019 fourth rounder Henry Thrun – currently at the University of Havard.
Second: Our own Andy Zilch tweeted that Captain Chase De Leo has been skating and ditched the red non-contact jersey at the most recent practise – indicating he is close to returning to the line-up. He even spoke prior to tonight’s game – stating his eagerness to help the Gulls get back to their winning ways.
Low on Lopina
Josh Lopina had an overall terrible game in his last outing and started tonight with back to back turnovers. I have no idea what is up with him this season but if he continues to play like this he will find himself joining Blake McLaughlin in Tulsa.
The Bakery Farewell Tour
You get the overall sense from the growing noise and chatter that Lukas Dostal will be in the NHL next season. The Ducks are in the same position as last season – in range of the best odds at first overall selection and attracting interest from playoff bound teams looking to add depth in the form of veterans on expiring contracts. One of those veterans is former Gull Anthony Stolarz – a long time fan favorite and more than capable NHL backup who finds himself as the odd man out in an organisation that needs to promote Dostal while easing in the acquired last-season Calle Clang. Make the most of Lukas while you can Gulls fans – we likely won’t be seeing him after the NHL trade deadline.
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