2023-2024 Game 9: San Diego Gulls at Coachella Valley Firebirds

Looking to snap a six game losing streak and hoping to build off some close overtime losses in Charlotte, the Gulls finished their road-trip in the desert – stopping in on their way home.

With Tristan Luneau on his third game of a conditioning loan and Robert Hagg returned from the Ducks – coach McIlvane opted to overload the blue line corps and scratch a forward. Blake McLaughlin joined Sasha Pastujov, Jaxsen Wiebe and Nick Wolff as healthy scratches.

Calle Clang was given the start in net.

First Period:

Looking for a good start – Nikita Nestereneko chased down a loose puck and won a puck battle to send a pass right out in front to a streaking Travis Howe but the Grandson of the great Gordie Howe shot it high and wide.

As action went back the other way a dangerous and uncharacteristic rebound left in front by Calle Clang was pounced on by Cameron Hughes and the Firebirds took the early lead. 1-0.

San Diego prevented any further momentum after the goal by taking control of the play in the offensive zone – lead by Nikita Nesterenko and then followed by the Gaucher line. As both lines buzzed the Coachella Valley zone and came close on several opportunities.

The Gulls looked the better of the two sides as time wound down to the 3/4 mark of the period as Ben King took a nice pass off a rush with Nikita Nesterenko and made a move to his back-hand but was stopped on a desperation save from the veteran Chris Driedger.

Just when it felt like the Gulls deserved game tying goal would arrive in any minute a breakdown in the San Diego zone resulted in too much open ice and the Firebirds made them pay via a nice passing play to take advantage of the open space. 2-0 Coachella Valley.

This time the Gulls looked understandably deflated and the Firebirds added to their lead in the final minute as Logan Morrison dived at a puck in front and pushed it through Clang while also pushing the Gulls netminder into the net. San Diego asked for a review on the play but were denied it and took a 3-0 deficit into the first intermission. Shots were 12-8 for the Firebirds

The shot map showing the lack of desperation shown by San Diego in front of their own net.

Second Period: Coachella Valley Firebirds 3 – San Diego Gulls 0

Starting the initial minutes of the middle frame on the penalty kill as Andrew Poturalski forced Trevor Carrick into taking a hooking call the Gulls killed the minor then right to the attack.

Catching the Firebirds by surprise as they returned to even strength, Brayden Tracey finished an odd man rush by wiring a rebound off of an Andrew Agozzino shot to bring the Gulls within two on his first of the season. 3-1 Firebirds.

The Gulls were not able to build on the momentum – despite being awarded a Power Play moments later, as the Firebirds quickly shutdown and gave no quarter, choking San Diego at any opportunity they attempted to mount a rush.

As San Diego remained on their heels for much of the rest of the period – a penalty drawn by Olen Zellweger in the Gulls zone as he attempted to skate the puck out sent the Gulls back to the Power Play.

This time the Gulls kept the puck in possession and consequently the pressure on the Firebirds as they searched the usually ferociously aggressive Coachella penalty kill for an opening. With the home-teams unit clearly beginning to look weary after back to back chances in the middle slot, Olen Zellweger received a pass and unleashed a one-timer, an absolute bomb that beat Driedger through traffic. 3-2 Firebirds.

Robert Hagg took a necessary penalty to shut down an individual effort to send the Gulls to the PK but a great team effort and some desperation saves from Clang kept the score at 3-2 as the middle frame ended with some fireworks after Travis Howe made Ian McKinnon answer for a hard open ice hit on Pavol Regenda.

The Gulls fighting back from a 3-0 deficit to make it a one goal game heading into the final frame, shots were an even 7-7 on the period and 20-15 for the home-team overall. With the shot map showing once again far too many quality chances in and around the crease of Clang.

Third Period: Coachella Valley Firebirds 3 – San Diego Gulls 2

The action was frenetic to begin the final frame as both teams traded Power Plays including a forty second five on three for the Firebirds after Nathan Gaucher was found guilty of playing the puck with his hand off the face-off.

Given how the Gulls season has gone so far it felt like a fairly good money bet to assume the Firebirds would convert on the five on three and indeed they did as a bounce in front went their way and put them up 4-2.

It was a pedestrian effort from San Diego for the remaining time left in the frame – including when they pulled Clang for the extra attacker with under three minutes left. Maintaining possession but never confident with the puck and only managing some sporadic chances from the perimeter.

The Firebirds handing the Gulls their seventh straight loss.

Post Game Notes:

Same Shit Different Year

It has only been nine games but I am starting to sour on this seasons Gulls already. I did have very high hopes and I will admit that. But I also believed they would have both Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. Mintyukov is currently rewriting history by putting together a potential Calder Trophy winning campaign in Anaheim. I also had better expectations of Sasha Pastujov – who has now sat out four of the Gulls nine games so far. There is definitely a different style and structure of play – with more emphasis on quick transition and keeping possession in the offensive zone but the sacrifice appears to be on defense. Game after game I am seeing the shot maps showing far too many high danger chances being allowed in front. On a potential positive note – the Gulls have only played above .500 teams so far – but then again – right now the only in-division teams they look potentially capable of beating are the Condors (who just received Jack Campbell from the Oilers) and the Barracuda. The crucial difference between San Diego and their opponents appears to be a lack of weapons and experience – can Rob DiMaio step in and fix this earlier than he did last year? Stay tuned.

Zellweger Where For Art Tho

Yes he scored a bomb from the point on the Power Play tonight, but he has been barely a shadow of the player we saw in the Gulls first two games of the season where he straight up dominated whenever he was on the ice. He has game-breaking ability and should be by far and away the Gulls best player game in and game out but is just not showing it lately. Why?

Placid Pavol

Regenda was unusually quiet tonight and even when he was targeted with a big open ice hit he still remained in the background which was very much unlike his usual response. I had expected the hit to add some fire to his game and motivate him to throw that big frame around – much like he did in the Gulls only win over the Firebirds in their brief but testy rivalry.

Standings Update

Seven straight losses means the Gulls are dead last in the Pacific and third to last in the entire league with a 2-5-2 record. They now have a four game home-stand that features Calgary, Colorado and Charlotte all of whom are in the top ten in the AHL. To put it succinctly. They need help and they need it fast.