2023-2024 Game 53: San Diego Gulls vs Coachella Valley Firebirds

Riding high off a 5-3 victory over Bakersfield the San Diego Gulls hoped to add to that with a win over the division leading Firebirds.

With news of the Ducks dealing Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick earlier that day – leading to a recall of Glenn Gawdin and Pavol Regenda the Gulls consequently recalled ECHL veteran Eddie Matsushima from Tulsa. Jacob Perreault was held out of the line-up for what was later revealed to be trade-related reasons. Playing a man short – Josh Lopina was elevated to center the top line, while Nikita Nesterenko took Regendas spot on the second line. Blake McLaughlin took Nesterenkos spot on the third line and the fourth line saw Matsushima make his AHL debut with Howe centering and a spare winger rotating in and out.

Calle Clang was given his first start since the 3-0 loss to Ontario while the newly returned Stalock backed up.

Colton White, Drew Helleson and Judd Caulfield remained with Jaxsen Wiebe on the injury list. Suchanek was the only healthy scratch.

First Period:

It was non stop action to start with the Gulls managing to hold their own in transition against the high powered Firebirds. As is their ongoing Achilles heel, the Gulls did struggle in their own zone and had trouble getting a clean breakout against a relentless Coachella Valley forecheck.

Eight minutes in the Firebirds opened the scoring on one of their many offensive zone cycles. A point shot from Gustav Olofsson was deflected enroute to the net by veteran Devin Shore. 1-0 Firebirds.

Things went from bad to worse as the Firebirds ongoing forecheck led to Nathan Gaucher to make a desperate attempt to dislodge the puck in the neutral zone saw his one-handed poke-check earned him a tripping call.

San Diego played a determined game shorthanded – standing up at the blue line and only allowing the Firebirds to get set twice during the sequence. Killing the minor the Gulls went back to the attack as once again Sasha Pastujov continued his strong form and almost got one back right away – following up a play and intercepting a pass behind the Firebirds net to come out front but was denied.

After rolling all four lines then coming back around to the Pastujov line the Gulls gave the Firebirds a taste of their own medicine as the trio of Pastujov, Nesterenko and Agozzino went to work buzzing the Coachella Valley zone. As the newly formed line created chance after chance via hand-offs and quick passes to the slot they finally hit pay-dirt as Sasha Pastujov sent a beautiful quick backhand pass to Agozzino in the slot. 1-1 tie game.

The action was non stop for the remainder of the period as the Gulls suddenly found confidence across all four lines but it was still the Pastujov line leading the way with chances.

The Gulls taking a deserved 1-1 tie into the first intermission despite the huge 17-9 shot disparity.

Second Period: San Diego Gulls 1 – Coachella Valley Firebirds 1

With the Firebirds pressing from puck drop the Gulls opted to take their chances when they could while weathering the storm.

San Diego taking their first lead as Calle Clang was forced into making a reactionary glove save on a high wrist shot that left a rebound that fell behind the net and saw a Firebirds player send it back out front. The pass went right through both sets of players fighting for position around the crease and found Brayden Tracey winding up with speed through the neutral zone where he gained the Coachella Valley zone, measured and fired a low shot that beat veteran goaltender Chris Driedger. 2-1 Gulls.

Coachella Valley attempted a response but the Gulls slowly built more momentum from the goal and soon enough they had increased their shot totals while cycling in the Firebirds zone on the attack.

Despite maintaining the 2-1 lead for the rest of the period the Gulls ability to take the advantage to the second intermission was once again put to task as the Firebirds got the equaliser in the final 46 seconds of the frame. The visitors outnumbering and out-muscling the Gulls in their own zone to create a chance in front that beat Clang high glove side. 2-2 tie game.

Coachella tying things up in the final seconds of the period to once again set up a do or die final period for the Gulls at home. Shots were 12-7 Firebirds on the frame making it 29-16 overall.

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

San Diego kept things moving in the third and when the Firebirds did manage to gain their zone they did all that they could to clog the front of their net and not allow them any outnumbered opportunities.

Again the Pastujov line came close with several chances on a skirmish in the Firebirds zone and the Gulls headed to the Power Play as a result. The man advantage was then cut short by a high sticking call to Andrew Agozzino – play picked up as did the intensity as the brief four on four play opened the ice up slightly before the Coachella Valley shortened Power Play was killed by the Gulls. The Firebirds growing visibly frustrated as they ran Calle Clang while the Gulls stayed calm when no call was made on the obvious goaltender interference play.

After the TV timeout Calle Clang was called upon to make a huge save on Shane Wright and as he lay prone believing the puck was covered – the Firebirds Ryan Winterton fished out and deposited the puck into the net behind his outstretched leg. 4-3 Firebirds and cacophony of boos from the Pechanga Faithful for the sequence of below par officiating.

Refusing to let it stand – the Gulls kept at the attack. Earning themselves another Power Play with relentless pressure in the Coachella Valley zone. With the first unit creating some chances but unable to convert it would be the second unit and the first star of the game – Sasha Pastujov who would bring justice to the game. The Ducks budding young star prospect quickly firing a shot from the right side boards that caught Driedger off his post. 3-3 tie game.

The final four minutes of play were a frenetic affair of clutching, grabbing and chances at both ends but teams skated to a 3-3 draw and we headed to the extra session.

Overtime:

Showing great maturity and growth in their game the Gulls held the Firebirds at bay and didn’t surrender a last minute heart-breaker like they have done so many times so far this season. The score stayed deadlocked after five minutes of three on three hockey and we headed to a shoot out.

In the shootout the Firebirds started with veteran hot hand Devin Shore but his long slow loop in was stopped by Clang who did not bite. Ben King went first for the Gulls and although he came in with the same move with more speed, his shot was stopped also. Following the same formula as Shore, Logan Morrison came in very slowly also and this time beat Clang five hole as the plan appeared to be test the Swedish netminders patience and force him to make the first move. Nikita Nesterenko gave an instant response, coming straight in and with speed – his silky smooth hands deeking Driedger out of position for the easy put in. Shane Wright didnt get the memo and came in with speed before releasing a high shot that Clang was equal to. Brayden had the opportunity to win it but his backhand to forehand move failed to stick as he lost the puck at the moment of truth. In the extra round noted Villain Max McCormick also went with the Shore and Morrison formula but this time Clang closed up shop on the five hole and it was the Captain Chase De Leos chance to seal it. However his multi shifting move as he cut from left to right was stopped and we went to a fifth round. Former Gull Andrew Poturalski also lost the handle at the moment of truth to set up the ultimate finale. Sasha Pastujov skating in and swinging in from left to right, measuring and wiring a deceptive mid to high shot that beat Driedger over his pad to win it. Gulls taking the win 4-3.

Post Game Notes:

Sasha Fierce

Ill give it one more game to be absolutely sure but is this the Sasha Pastujov breakout? The kid has been on absolute fire for the last two games and the best part is it isn’t all thanks to his shot. Much like the last game he has been a menace on the forecheck, his speed has gone up a gear or two and he is getting body position to force turnovers. His play-making has been phenomenal, making deft flick and one-touch passes with ease. He was the driver behind the Agozzino line becoming an unstoppable force in this game and I would look for them to be the Gulls top line moving forward. Their were concerns about his skating at the time of his selection but I think he has proved that should no longer be an issue, he has definitely come a long way very fast this season.

Meet Jan Mysak

Joining the Gulls – hopefully in time for the next game – is former 2020 second round pick Jan Myšák. The Czech winger was acquired for Jacob Perreault in a straight swap in what is essentially a “once highly touted prospect change of scenery” deal. I’ll admit I don’t know a heck of a lot about him but he reads as an energizer who excels on the forecheck which is exactly the style the Gulls are attempting to adopt in order to get ahead and stay in touch with the rest of the Pacific.

Standings Update

I have long since given up on the Playoffs – especially given Olen Zellweger will not be coming back until the end of the Ducks season but for shits and giggles… This win gives the Gulls 48 points and a 0.462 points percentage. They are four points behind Henderson and fourteen points behind Abbotsford for the final playoff spot. Their magic number is currently 51 – in contrast Bakersfield and Abbotsfords are 29 and 27 respectively. Once their magic number hits zero – they have made the playoffs. San Diego are not mathematically done yet but its getting close. Who knows – if this is the beginning of a miraculous ten game winning streak – maybe they can still do it.