2022-2023 Game 52: San Diego Gulls at Bakersfield Condors

Despite a heartbreaking overtime loss to the rival Reign on Star Wars night and then following that up with a high scoring but one-sided and penalty filled loss to these Condors the night after. The San Diego Gulls looked to regather themselves on the road in Bakersfield.

Pavol Regenda was announced as out with an illness while Axel Andersson was noted as being injured. Joining Frank Hora, BO Groulx, Josh Healey and Olli Juolevi on the injury list. Brayden Tracey and Jacob Perreault were reunited on the second line. Gage Alexander was given the start.

First Period:

San Diego begun well but received some scary news six or so minutes into action as Michael Del Zotto lay prone and unable to get up after a collision in the Bakersfield zone.

The Condors took full advantage of the temporary San Diego mismatch in numbers and disjointed defensive pairings to create a high danger chance through the slot. Yannis Kaldis receiving a pass with speed from James Hamblin and wiring it by Alexander blocker side. 1-0 Condors.

Thankfully Michael Del Zotto came back to the bench and served his first shift directly after the goal as Coach Sommer once again switch lines up – breaking up Perreault and Tracey while trying Osipov on the top line with Grimaldi and De Leo.

What the San Diego Gulls did not want to happen did so as teams exchanged power plays for the rest of the period and the Condors took advantage of a Rocco Grimaldi interference minor to double their lead 2-0 as Raphael Lavoie tallied a perfect shot top corner. 2-0 Condors.

Bakersfield taking a comfortable 2-0 lead into the first intermission while the shot total was a deceptively low 8-5 after the first twenty.

Second Period: Bakersfield Condors 2 – San Diego Gulls 0

The Sommer line-up shuffling continued and the “find a line-mate for Grimaldi and De Leo” competition found a new entrant in Brent Gates Jr.

That line was followed by an inspired shift by the reunited Pereault – Gawdin – Tracey line in which they drew a call and came close with some chances around the Condors net. Perreault left the ice and headed down the tunnel after the shift and appeared to be clutching his side in pain.

The Gulls settled into a rhythm of dumping the puck and pressuring the Condors in their own zone as well as upping the physical play but could not keep out of the box as Glenn Gawdin was called for cross-checking before the midway point.

After killing the minor San Diego tried to get back into their rhythm but could not keep out of the box and once again the Condors made them pay as Noah Philp finished off a perfectly executed rush with Profaca in the box for hooking. 3-0 Condors.

The Gulls finished the period on the Power Play but still struggled to complete a play as they headed to the second intermission down by three and trailing in shots 20-10.

Third Period: Bakersfield Condors 3 – San Diego Gulls 0

The third period began with much the same tempo as the second – with the Gulls attempting to mount some form of pressure in the Condors zone without taking a penalty in the process.

Captain Chase De Leo got the Gulls on the board as he forced a turnover at the Condors blue line and went in on alone on Pickard, opening him up and sliding it five hole to make it 3-1 Condors.

As the Gulls tried to some semblance of momentum following the goal they again could not stay out of the box – with back to back penalties being assessed to David Cotton and then Rocco Grimaldi.

This time San Diego looked more than capable on the penalty kill and on the first penalty, actually generated some shorthanded chances on the Condors net.

San Diego made a valiant effort in the final two minutes – pulling Alexander for the extra attacker while setting up and attempting to create some one-timers from either near-side board but came up short.

The Gulls dropping another one to fall to 14-37-1 on the season.

Post Game Notes:

Frustrating and needless errors

Jacob Perreault and Brayden Tracey have not been placed on the same line together for much of the season despite being good friends and enjoying some obvious chemistry. Tonight I could see why. As the Gulls were on the attack in the Bakersfield zone Jacob Perreault received the puck with time and space on the left wing and as he briefly weighed up his options he elected to throw it into the middle – trying to connect with Tracey in what was a less than 50/50 pass. It resulted in an immediate turnover and partial break for the Condors the other way. I don’t mean to single out Perreault but its plays like that this he should no longer be making anymore, he should know better. On the note of Perreault…

Cant stop the hurting

Perreault left the game midway through the second and did not return. As noted above he was clutching his side as he exited the ice. The Gulls just cannot stay healthy this season. As one player returns another takes his place on the long list of the walking wounded which now includes Olli Juolevi, Josh Healey, Axel Anderson, Frank Hora and now Jacob Perreault.

Penalties, too many penalties

I didn’t watch the Gulls last game but from what I understand – they were doing well up until they took penalty after penalty after penalty in the second period and were subsequently punished for three Power Play goals in the process. I get it. Penalties happen – particularly as a logical consequence of being outplayed and out-possessed of the puck. It’s the how and why that San Diego needs to fix. They need better possession, cleaner passes and if they are forced to take a penalty – only do it as a last resort.