2023-2024 Game 34: San Diego Gulls at Abbottsford Canucks

After a tough 2-1 loss in overtime at the hands of the Iowa Wild the Gulls hit the road to face a historically tough opponent to the north.

The injury ward was starting to slowly empty as both Sasha Pastujov and Drew Helleson returned to the line up. Black McLaughlin made room for Pastujov while Profaca sat out for Helleson. All lines and pairings remained the same but for those two swaps of personnel. Ben King also returned after his facial surgery that kept him out of the line up last weekend.

Jacob Perreault now remained the only player out injured. As mentioned – McLaughlin and Profaca were the healthy scratches along with Travis Howe and Calle Clang. Suchanek was given the start with Stalock backing up.

First Period:

From the get go it was clear that this would be a game of transition and you could see the Gulls were thoroughly enjoying the sudden amount of space on the ice as they stretched their wings and started to fly with speed through the neutral zone. On the flip-side the Canucks too – enjoyed the lanes that this opened up and were able to generate some chances off the rush on Suchanek through the first ten minutes of action.

If there was any one player on the Gulls that would benefit from this extra time and space on the ice it would be Olen Zellweger and sure enough it would be the young Ducks prospect that struck first as he collected a puck at the point, shifted left and head-faked to get around his defender before sending a hard pass into the crease that deflected off a Canuck player defending and into the net. 1-0 Gulls.

Abbottsford attempted a response but the San Diego counter attack almost netted them a two goal lead as the De Leo line created a chance for Pavol Regenda that was only stopped by a desperation diving save from Abbotsford goaltender Nikita Tolopilo. Regenda was given a slashing call on a follow up play to put the Gulls down a man but this was nullified part way though as Andrew Agozzino was interfered with attempting to get back into the San Diego zone.

The four on four passed with the Gulls holding possession and then timing it to allow Regenda to join the unit for a Gulls Power Play as he exited the box which turned into a five on three Power Play as Jet Woo was called for slashing. Olen Zellweger again stood out with the additional time and space, making the zone entry and then opting to go all out on attack for the Gulls first chance at five on three but just as his attempt was stopped, Glen Gawdin collected the loose puck and used the time and space allowed to measure and send a hard shot that beat Tolopilo top corner. 2-0 Gulls.

Abbottsford once again attempted to mount a response, killing the rest of the other minor against a very lacklustre Gulls second Power Play unit and then sending some chances on Suchanek in the remaining minutes of the period but as the horn sounded with Nikita Nesterenko in the midst of a race to the loose puck with goaltender Tolopilo it was clear that this San Diego team was among one of the best to have shown up in British Columbia in recent years.

Shots were 11-6 for San Diego after the first with the shot map showing the stark contrast in possession tilted in the Gulls direction.

Second Period: San Diego Gulls 2 – Abbotsford Canucks 0

The swift back and forth continued to start the second but some poor work down low from the Gulls ended up in the back of their net as both Helleson and White failed to control the puck enough for a clear while the fourth line also were helpless to tie their respective men up in front. 2-1 Gulls.

Riding momentum from the goal the Canucks pressed the Gulls with a searing intensity and Suchanek had to do a few sliding and reactionary stops to keep things at 2-1.

Just when it seemed Abbotsford would eventually tie things up with their relentless rush attempts and pressure, a turnover forced by the combined efforts of Colton White and Brayden Tracey at the top of the Canucks zone allowed Tracey and Ben King to skate in on a two on one attack. The former Ducks late round pick using the opportunity to send a low shot to the left side that King tipped at the last moment and by Tolopilo to make it 3-1 and restore the two goal lead.

The response from the home team was instantaneous and prolonged as the Canucks spent most of the remainder of the period with possession, coming in and out of the Gulls zone on rush chance after rush chance. San Diego on the other hand did their best to execute the perfect road lead protecting game plan – fighting to dislodge attacks and clear the puck out at each and every turn.

The Gulls did manage to generate some chances for a few minutes in the dying minutes of the frame courtesy of Olen Zellweger but the Canucks got one back on the counter attack in the final two minutes of play as an unlucky bounce from behind the net caught Suchanek by surprise. 3-2 Gulls.

Abbotsford pressed for the last minute – seeing Suchanek sprawling in every direction to make several stops to allow his team to escape the second frame with the one goal lead. Shots were 9-8 for the Gulls on the frame and 20-14 overall with the shot map showing exactly how the Canucks were able to get back into the game and almost force the tying goal.

Third Period: San Diego Gulls 3 – Abbotsford Canucks 2

It felt inevitable that one of those countless Canucks rushes would eventually cost the Gulls and despite playing a relatively offense focused but disciplined game to start the third – a bad pass in the Canucks zone and outnumbered rush back the other way by Abbotsford beat Suchanek. 3-3 tie game. The Gulls top line getting caught on the play with Helleson and Hinds helpless to close the seams against the extra man.

Time sped by on the frame as both teams fought to take the lead and as the intensity picked up so too did the physicality as Gulls players limped off after shifts or attempted to shake off a stinging shot block.

All of the Gulls hard work would be rewarded as a puck battle won by Nathan Gaucher – flicked back to Brayden Tracey who smartly allowed the puck to pass through his legs and back to a wide open Olen Zellweger at the point. The Gulls All Star representative given too much time and too much space to skate in – pick his spot and wire a shot to the top left corner. 4-3 Gulls.

Abbotsford pulled their goaltender with two minutes remaining and it was a nail biting finish with the Gulls missing two straight opportunities to hit the empty net while a cross-checking penalty in the final ten seconds to Nikita Nesterenko meant a tense six on four attack but San Diego held on for the win to extend their points streak to four games.

Post Game Notes:

Hey Now What An All Star

I mentioned it in the recap above but this was the kind of game that allowed Zellweger to shine. He hasn’t enjoyed that much time and space since the first two games against the Reign at the start of the season and much like those two games – he took them over whenever he was on the ice. He was everywhere and everything to the Gulls offense – making a case to be a full time part of the Ducks next season. With the three point night he moved into second place on the Gulls in scoring and is currently tied for 13th in scoring among rookies, second in rookie defenseman scoring behind Brandt Clarke.

Trade Winds A Blowing

With the trading of Jamie Drysdale and his close to ties to Trevor Zegras – rumour mills went into overdrive that the Ducks budding young star might be next to be moved despite it making no sense whatsoever for the team. However – with the Ducks now heading toward another lottery pick at the draft as injuries have completely derailed an initially great start to the season, it likely means some more veterans on expiring contracts will likely be dealt at the trade deadline so the team can start making the full transition toward easing out of their rebuild. Names mentioned of late have been Adam Henrique, Ilya Lyubushkin, Frank Vatrano and John Gibson. Whether some or all or none at all get moved – we will have to wait and see but what I am most intrigued about is the annual “paper transactions” day that always occurs around trade deadline. That is – the names of those players the Ducks are willing to send to the Gulls by seasons end to help them in any potential postseason play.

Standings Update

Despite once again overtaking the Barracuda to no longer be last in the Pacific – the added two points sadly did not close the gap too much with either Bakersfield or Colorado who both now sit seven and nine points ahead respectively. It is still a long climb for San Diego but I still believe they can do it.