Heading inland following their fourth loss in a row the Gulls hoped their overall better offensive play could get them another win on the season and a step away from terrible infamy.
After his atrocious outing in the last game and given a special mention in my post game notes, Austin Strand was scratched in favour of Quinn Wichers. After coming in relief of Alexander and allowing just the one goal on eleven shots, Olle Eriksson Ek was given the start in net. Frank Hora, Jacob Perreault, BO Groulx, Axel Anderson, David Cotton and Josh Healey remained out with injuries. Justin Kirkland was also included on that list of injuries.
First Period:
The Gulls started out strong – surprising the Reign with a determined forecheck and maintaining possession for much of the first five or so minutes.
Their hard work was rewarded when a low wrist shot from Drew Helleson slipped by Cal Peterson as it traveled through layers of traffic in front. 1-0 Gulls.
San Diego spent the remainder of the period keeping to the same plan of deploying a tight fore-checking and cycle game in the Ontario zone with the odd Reign odd man break coming whenever there was a lapse in concentration or a missed pass. Ontarios best opportunity to score in the period coming from one such sequence as a two on one break formed that saw Olle Eriksson Ek lay spread eagle as he tried to stop a Taylor Ward move which thankfully went wide of the net after the puck slid under the sprawling Gulls goaltender.
The Reign pressed in the final two minutes of play and thought they had a tying goal but it was immediately waved off due to a hand-pass in front of the Gulls net.
San Diego playing a strong and tight defensive first period to take a 1-0 lead over their oldest rivals and an even 9-9 shot total into the first intermission.
Second Period: San Diego Gulls 1 – Ontario Reign 0
The Reign came out with a big push to start the second frame but the Gulls held firm and weathered the initial storm before responding with a flurry of their own chances thanks to Chase De Leo and their top line.
The Gulls came oh so close to getting a second marker when a Regenda shot trickled behind Peterson and almost into the net before being cleared at the last moment and then the former Kings number one net-minder made a highlight reel save as he absolutely robbed Michael Del Zotto coming in alone off the left wing.
San Diego kept up their tight defensive play – earning a Power Play but unable to convert as they maintained momentum throughout much of the period.
Once again it was the top line that was the most deadly and dominant in the offensive zone but all of the other lines stayed tight and kept the Reign from generating too much on Eriksson Ek as the Gulls headed to the third and final frame still leading by one and enjoying an 18-14 lead in shots.
Third Period: San Diego Gulls 1 – Ontario Reign 0
Given fresh news that Josiah Slavin had been called for hooking at the conclusion of the second period the Gulls began the third on the Penalty Kill.
Able to get set in the San Diego zone the Reign kept the Gulls penalty killers guessing while passing around their passive box – eventually setting up Samuel Fagemo for a one-time blast that Eriksson Ek could not get across in time to stop. 1-1 tie game.
Riding momentum and the hunger of their home crowd the Reign spent the rest of the period pressing the Gulls and swarming the San Diego zone like a swarm of angry black bees.
San Diego did manage to calm things down and have some chances in the Reign zone for the final two minutes of the period but appeared to be content to collect the guaranteed point on the road.
Overtime:
Starting the overtime session with Slavin and Gawdin up front the Reign held possession to start but as the Gulls were able to make a change during a tactical offensive zone entry, a re-rejuvenated Rocco Grimaldi pounced on an unsuspecting Reign player at the blue-line, forcing a turnover and racing up ice with the puck on his own. His quick side to side move getting Peterson to bite as he swept it by him to the right and give the Gulls the win in the final game of their regular season series against the Reign.
Post Game Notes:
Static Blueline
Something I have noticed recently and particularly in a game in which the Gulls were as structured and disciplined as this one. Their defensemen are no longer looking to activate in the offensive zone. They seem to be unwilling or unable to come down low once San Diego enters the opposing teams zone. I get that this is likely for conservative and risk minimizing reasons but I wonder and dearly hope that this changes next season when the first wave of the Ducks next high-level talent on the back-end arrives. Telling the likes of Pavol Mintyukov to stay static on the blue line would be like telling Dave Grohl to stick to drumming.
Meanwhile in Tulsa
Max Golod recently won ECHL player of the week honors after scoring five goals and two assists in two games. He currently has 39 points in 40 games with the Oilers and 13 points in his last 10.
After a slow start Blake McLaughlin has been heating up also – he now has 16 points in 21 games with 7 in his last 10.
Golod leads the Oilers in scoring while McLaughlin is tied for 10th.
Looking Ahead
It is so weird to think that was the last time the Gulls and Reign will play this season – given there is still a whole other month and a bit left. So I had a look at the calendar for March and realised hey… the Gulls could maybe string together some more wins? They see Henderson three times this month – who sit next above them in the Pacific (10 points ahead but still), they also play Tucson three times – a team they have been able to beat recently and who are currently clinging to the final playoff spot. Of course they also have to face the division leading Wranglers twice in Calgary as well as second placed Coachella again in the Valley while also getting a visit from the 23-21-5 Iowa Wild. The Gulls aren’t making the playoffs – oh no that ship has long sailed – but we could see them put together some more wins while also maybe spoiling it for other teams still fighting for a playoff spot.
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