2022-2023 Game 67: San Diego Gulls at Iowa Wild

With Calle Clang set to make his first AHL start – the Gulls hoped to erase a second period collapse in their previous game and start again with a clean slate.

Coach Sommer changed some of the lines up – keeping Regenda and Gawdin together but moving Kirkland up to their line while shifting Perreault to join the Lopina and Gates duo that looked so good the night before. Dmitry Osipov drew back in on the fourth line – replacing Bryce Kindopp.

As originally reported by San Diego Gulls play by play announcer Andy Zilch – Calle Clang was given his first AHL start in net with Olle Eriksson Ek backing up while Alexander was given the rest.

First Period:

Despite their best efforts and intentions the Gulls were unable to generate momentum to start. They looked physical and committed in finishing their checks but once Iowa were able to gain the zone – it was a struggle for them to regain possession.

After the Wild dominated the puck and zone time for much of the start of the period it took them less than five minutes to open the scoring – a quick cycle back to the point and a low shot tipped on its way through bodies to beat Clang to the right side. 1-0 Wild.

The Gulls came back with the top line and managed a small amount of possession in the Iowa zone that was then followed by a more consistent showing from the other lines as they rolled through – eventually the San Diego Gulls heavy fore-check paid dividends as a frustrated Nic Petan threw an errant cross check at Justin Kirkland after the whistle and was called for roughing.

As the first unit got set in the Iowa zone it took just a few passes to clear a shooting lane for Glen Gawdin as he wired a one-timer from the high left circle. 1-1 tie game. The Gulls Power Play staying hot.

The Wild made a push in response and a mismatch with the fourth line kept the Gulls worryingly trapped in their zone for an entire shift before David Cotton was finally able to get a clear. Calle Clang looked cool and calm as he tracked and turned aside the Wild’s shots from the perimeter while the Gulls defense continued to play disciplined man to man where they could.

With less than a minute remaining in the frame and the Wild once again keeping San Diego from unable to get possession and a clearance from their zone – a fatal mistake in a weak clearance that did not quite make it over the blue line led to Iowa taking the lead via a low point shot that Clang could not track through traffic. 2-1 Wild.

The Gulls came back with a push for the final few seconds of the period but time wound down and they exited the first frame down by one and trailing in shots 11-4. The shot map showing the Gulls complete inability to penetrate or get anything going from the right side.

Second Period: Iowa Wild 2 – San Diego Gulls 1

San Diego attempted to come out strong to start the second but got into penalty trouble right away as Jacob Perreault was called for slashing just over two minutes in.

The Wild were able to get set and fire off just the one one-timer in the first few seconds of the man advantage before the Gulls counter attacked via a two on one rush that was broken up. However – as the Wild re-entered the San Diego zone with space and sent the puck around to the right side a Wild player lost their footing and allowed Michael Del Zotto to break out on yet another two on one break. This time finding Chase De Leo to finish the shorthanded rush. 2-2 tie game.

Although the Wild tried to respond the Gulls carried momentum forward all the way through erasing the rest of the minor and keeping up pressure in the Iowa zone.

With the Lopina line pressing a Marco Rossi clearance was sent out on the full and the Gulls went back to their suddenly potent Power Play.

With the first unit spending the majority of the time trying to take the lead it would be the second unit – in the dying seconds of the man advantage that would convert as Justin Kirkland won a face-off with less than two seconds left in the minor and BO Groulx collected the puck while all in one motion sending the puck on net as he was falling. The shot fooling Wild goaltender Zac McIntyre. 3-2 Gulls.

The Gulls momentum went into overdrive and the ice started to open up – allowing them to show flashes of a dangerous transition game that we have not seen near enough this season.

With Jacob Perreault controlling play behind the Iowa net – David Cotton drew a call as he was slashed in front of the Wild net by Joe Hicketts to give the Gulls Power Play a third chance.

The first unit again enjoyed some good looks and the time and space to set-up both the left and right side one-timer but each shot sailed wide and out of the zone – leaving the Gulls less time overall to get properly set to create further opportunities. Iowa killed the minor and snatched back a small amount of momentum in the process.

Yet more injury concern (and sadly a repeat offender) saw the Gulls look on as Jacob Perreault fell awkwardly at the near side boards in the neutral zone, landing on his back in an awkward position. He was noted as going down the tunnel to be looked at by the training staff.

The Wild held the majority of possession for the remaining four minutes of the period and began to mount a ferocious fore-check in an attempt to get under the Gulls skin but San Diego held firm and took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission while taking a 7-6 shot edge on the period but still trailing 17-11 overall.

Third Period: San Diego Gulls 3 – Iowa Wild 2

Playing an almost perfect road strategy to start the final frame the Gulls kept the puck in the Iowa zone as much as they could while making it difficult for them to transition up ice by clogging the neutral zone in a four and one deployment. It should also be noted that Jacob Perreault returned to the game to start the third.

Iowa found the odd opportunity to gain the San Diego zone and caused the most heart-ache against the fourth line.

The too familiar feeling of an ill advised penalty coming back to bite them arose when Dylan Sikura was called for interference at the halfway point of the period but a concerted and determined San Diego penalty kill ensured the score remained 3-2.

From there on out the Gulls stuck to their perfect road game lead protecting plan – getting the puck in deep in the Iowa zone and slowing their breakout. The hitting picked up as the echoes of glass shuddering hits followed the play up and down the ice but through it all the Gulls kept their cool.

The longest two minutes to end a game in history were made possible by a flurry of penalties dished out to the Wild’s Nic Petan and Nick Swaney – who both received ten minute misconducts for abuse of officials while the Gulls received minors to Del Zotto and Regenda for Slashing and Roughing respectively. In amongst all that BO Groulx iced the game with an empty net tally and the Gulls finally took the win despite Iowa’s best efforts to drag things out longer than needed.

Post Game Notes:

The Clang Dynasty Begins

How do you begin a dynasty? With your first win in your first start. Hell why not even shoot for a goal in the final minute of play?

I didn’t particularly feel it was a bold claim to state that Clang would impress in this game after seeing him in relief for eight minutes of action last night. Like I wrote in that games post game recap – he is very compact in his stance; conserving energy in his movements and positioning to make stops. He was never caught out swimming completely though he did make the old full body flop to grab a loose puck in a pile. What impressed me the most was his ability to track the puck. The Wild clearly were deploying a “point shots through traffic” strategy – perhaps scouting his game from his time in the SHL but although he was beat by two such strikes; he saw and deflected aside each and every other. He also has great rebound control for such a young goaltender. He didn’t punch any pucks back up the middle or into any danger areas; every single blocker and pad stop went to the corners. When one Bakery closes another opens. A Swedish one.

Five games left

There are just five games left in the season and although the Gulls no longer have a playoff spot to motivate them, they have one opponent among the remaining three that they can dash the hopes for while also proving to the other two that this year was an anomaly and to watch out for them next season. The Gulls next play the Barracuda – a team six points out of the last remaining playoff spot and 4-6-0-0 in their last ten. It would have been nicer to knock the Roadrunners out of their spot as revenge for doing so to San Diego years prior but sometimes you have to settle for the consolation prize. This would be a huge favour to the Roadrunners and somewhat ironically the Gulls could do the same for Coachella Valley as they take on the Wranglers for a two game series in their final home-stand on the season. The Wranglers currently hold the top spot but Coachella Valley are just two points behind.

Finally the Gulls close out the season in Colorado where the Eagles have already locked up a playoff spot and will likely be resting bodies for the postseason by the time San Diego rolls into town.

One more black ace

As noted in last nights post game recap – Judd Caulfield – acquired recently for Thimo Nickl – was signed to a two year entry level deal by the Ducks and also agreed to an ATO that assigns him to the Gulls for the remaining five games. I would look for him to slot in on the fourth line – in the now rotational spot that has been held by Kindopp and Osipov the last two games.

Questions for next season

So how do we look ahead to next season? There are so many questions. I touched on a potential new coach in the last post game recap. I am starting to wonder about the roster. One of my good followers pointed out to me that I may just need to start letting go of some of my favourite players on the squad as this new wave of prospects come through – starting with Nik Brouillard. This was a hard-no from me but it made me realise as I watched tonights game. On the Gulls defensive corps I really do want to hold onto at least three or four of them.

On expiring UFA NHL deals the Gulls have Michael Del Zotto, Chase Priskie and Ollie Juolevi. On expiring RFA deals they have just Axel Andersson. Drew Helleson is the only blue liner under contract set to return next season. He will be joined by some or all of Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger and Tyson Hinds as well as presumably Jackson LaCombe. That is already five spots although you can bet the Ducks hang onto maybe one or two of those – with Zellweger the most likely. That leaves room for maybe two or three of the veterans to come back and if I were the GM I would make it my highest priority to ensure Del Zotto, Priskie and Brouillard are those three.

The Gulls last game of the season is April 15th.