2023-2024 Game 12: San Diego Gulls vs Charlotte Checkers

Desperately wanting to stop their nine game losing skid the San Diego Gulls welcomed the Charlotte Checkers to town – a team they took to overtime twice two weeks earlier.

Following up his first huge message of the season by scratching Hinds, Helleson and Perreault in the previous game – Coach McIlvane sent another, scratching star prospect Olen Zellweger.

In the forwards, Travis Howe was the lone change as Pastujov was dropped to the fourth line to take Howe’s spot while McLaughlin was elevated to the third line. Jacob Perreault drew back in on the second line. Hinds and Helleson came back in as a pairing with Nick Wolff also drawing out.

Calle Clang was given the start in net.

First Period:

The pace was so frantic and free flowing that it took until just under the eight minute mark to get the first stoppage. Both teams enjoyed time in the others zone with neither really creating a high danger chance in front.

Nathan Gaucher had the Gulls best opportunity of the period when he harried and stripped the puck from a Charlotte defender to create his own one-on-one breakaway but was denied.

Nikita Nesterenko and Ben King again showed some great chemistry as they combined for a further high danger chance in front but Nesterenko was also stopped.

San Diego did manage to win the possession and momentum battle towards the closing minutes of the period and some great pressure by the Andrew Agozzino and Nikita Nesterenko lead to the puck squirting loose to Ben King in the high slot. The first year pro spinning and winding a one-time blast that stunned the Checkers goaltender to give the Gulls the 1-0 lead.

Charlotte tried to respond after the goal but the Gulls maintained the lead and their lead 8-6 in shots heading into the first intermission. The shot map showing San Diego thoroughly dominating the chances in front of the Charlotte net.

Second Period: San Diego Gulls 1 – Charlotte Checkers 0

Having missed the first few minutes due to AHL issues (drink) when play finally returned both visually and audibly the action showed Charlotte firmly in the drivers seat and Calle Clang the only Gull seemingly to have shown up for the second period.

When they were finally able to get a stoppage, the Gaucher line were able to shift momentum back the other way with a spirited and very well executed shift – coming very close on several chances from Judd Caulfield while keeping the puck in the Charlotte zone.

What looked like – I say that with some uncertainty because once again AHL TV was having issues – a bad turnover in the neutral zone lead to a Charlotte break and a tie game as Clang was not able to stop the one on chance by Rasmus Asplund. 1-1 tie game.

San Diego tried to respond but Charlotte carried over momentum after the goal and took the lead via a point shot that beat Clang through traffic. 2-1 Charlotte.

Jacob Perrault came less than inches from tying it back up as he desperately dived and swatted at a puck that bounced behind the Charlotte and sat agonizingly close to the goal line with an open net behind it but he was a second to slow.

Robert Hagg was tripped skating with the puck back into the San Diego zone and the Gulls were given their first man advantage of the contest. As the first unit were awarded with extended time after showing good progress in the Charlotte zone a point shot from Trevor Carrick hit Pavol Regenda in front – appearing to put him some discomfort in the process – then bounced off a Charlotte defender and in. 2-2 tie game.

The Gulls lucky to escape the period even with the Checkers out-shooting them 13-5 on the frame and taking the lead in shots overall 19-13. The shot map showing the total collapse in front of the San Diego net.

Third Period: San Diego Gulls 2 – Charlotte Checkers 2

As was the theme of the game so far – the third was non stop action with San Diego responding to their poor showing in the second with a much more physical and inspired start to the final frame.

Seeing just three breaks in the span of fifteen minutes of game-time the flow of play was frantic and the Officials “let em play” as bodies flew and calls were not to be expected any time for either side.

The final minute of play saw San Diego come agonizingly close to taking the lead as the Gaucher line threw everything they could at the Charlotte net and Blake McLaughlin fanned on a shot after a great set-up from Trevor Carrick in the dying seconds.

But the score undeservedly remained tied and we headed to overtime.

Overtime: San Diego Gulls 2 – Charlotte Checkers 2

Nikita Nesterenko proved himself an absolute menace with the extra space and not only almost scored on his own before losing the puck. He then took it right back and set up Andrew Agozzino who hit the post.

Charlotte created a chance of their own via subtle pick at the Gulls blue line but Calle Clang was huge in snagging the wrist shot created with his glove as he went down in the splits.

The damage was done however as San Diego struggled to regain possession and a bad clearance lead to an outnumbered opportunity down low – 3-2 Charlotte taking the win and sending San Diego to their tenth straight loss but this time a most undeserved one.

Post Game Notes:

Gaucher Growing His Game

We had high expectations for this season based on the personnel incoming and I feel like perhaps because its been so painful the last two years we haven’t been patient enough with this years squad. Don’t forget these kids are straight out of junior, its their first time playing against professionals and they are only playing twice a week on average. It’s no wonder it may take them some time to find their games and show their real potential. I think with the likes of Nathan Gaucher we are starting to see that now. His breakaway of his own creation in the first period showed the kind of game-turning ability he has and the way he went about it was very reminiscent of some vintage Ryan Kesler.

So Long Luneau?

Tristan Luneaus conditioning loan ends this Friday – I am not sure whether that means he is able to play in Friday’s game or not but given Zellweger was sat tonight I am assuming he is not. It was incredibly smart of the Ducks to improvise this conditioning stint and allow the youngster to see first hand what the pro game is like and what he will need to work on to elevate his game. I would say he did very well for his age – generally he held his own physically and he looked most comfortable working on the man advantage where he did a great job of shifting lanes and distributing to open spaces. Till next year Tristan, go dominate the Q and enjoy yourself doing it.

On Zellweger

Scratching Zellweger was definitely a move. Like Hinds and Helleson you could say it was sending a message or you could say it was rest management. Rest management doesn’t entirely fly with me because players are only seeing games twice a week. The WHL plays 68 total regular season games, the AHL is now seeing 72 – that’s only four games difference. I get that someone needs to sit to allow Luneau to play while he is allowed to on the conditioning loan so Ill consider that as the main driver for this scratch but if it happens again after he goes back to the Q – Ill be seriously questioning it.

Unsung Heroes

Hidden amongst the early season long string of losses is the emergence of some unsung heroes, players to keep an eye on because by the end of the year their growth should have a lot of people turning their heads. Judd Caulfield is one of those – BJ mentioned on the broadcast that he is always noticeable or his line is always noticeable whenever they are on the ice. Both true and accurate statements but I believe Nathan Gaucher also has a lot to do with that. That said – Caulfield never ceases to surprise me with the kind of skill he has, he is showing the kind of flashes of talent expected of a prospect drafted much much higher than he was. The Ducks most recent fifth round steal is Troy Terry. Could Caulfield follow?

NOTE: I know Caulfield wasn’t drafted by the Ducks, but he was drafted in the fifth round and was acquired for the Thimo Nickl – a prospect I didn’t really see as going anywhere with Anaheim.

Tyson Hinds is the other worth a mention. Yes he isn’t so much under the radar but it can’t really be said enough how responsible he is defensively. Sean O’Briens AHL Data Modelling data may not be coming this season but at a very good guess I would say he is easily the Gulls best shot suppressing defender.