2023-2024 Game 68: San Diego Gulls at Coachella Valley Firebirds

Dropping a close one in overtime in Ontario the San Diego Gulls headed further east into the desert to face their newest division rivals the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

With the recent signing to an ELC and recall for Sam Colangelo the forward lines reverted back to their original likeness. Ben King rejoined the top line while Nesterenko slotted back in with Agozzino and Regenda. Sasha Pastujov also moved back to the Gaucher line while Josh Lopina took back the fourth line pivot with Myatovic and Brayden Tracey on his wings. It was also announced last minute that Chase De Leo was out due to injury and Mysak would take his spot on the top line.

Calle Clang was given the start with Tomas Suchanek backing up.

Colton White was the only injured player listed with Chase De Leo joining him last minute, leaving Nick Wolff and Alex Stalock as the only healthy scratches.

First Period:

San Diego held their own and soon started to dominate the run of play through the first few minutes of action, holding a 8-3 shot lead as time approached and then passed over the midway point of a period that featured a tussle between Nathan Gaucher and the Firebirds Jacob Melanson.

As the teams traded Power Plays the Firebirds thought they had converted on the tail end of theirs as Roert Hagg was seen exiting the box while at the same time Cameron Hughes wired a shot in close that rang off the left side post then off the right side post before spilling free.

The arena goal horn went off but it was emphatically waved off by the Official closest to the net and after review revealed that the puck did indeed stay out much to the disagreement of the local Coachella Valley fans.

A scoreless first period saw the Gulls still take a 11-7 shot advantage to the first intermission.

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

It took less than thirty seconds for the Gulls to shake-off a potential 1-0 deficit near the end of the first period and open the scoring themsleves as Drew Helleson received a back-pass from Pavol Regenda which he immediately sent on net via a hard low shot. The puck making its way through layers of traffic and by goaltender Ales Stezka. 1-0 Gulls.

Coachella Valley came back with an immediate response and took back momentum via a Power Play awarded as Nikita Nesterenko was called for hooking. San Diego were able to kill the minor but the continued pressure and momentum saw Shane Wright set up a tying goal as he was denied in close but the following Cameron Hughes was there for the easy put in at the far side of the net. 1-1 tie game.

Play was relatively even and back and forth for the next few minutes with a short spell of four on four play after Drew Helleson buried star forward Kole Lind on his way to the Gulls net and the Coachella Valley player protested the play by showing Hellesons head into the boards to which the San Diego defender justifiably retaliated.

As teams returned to five on five the back and forth exchange of chances as well as slashes and jabs continued for the remainder of the frame with Coachella Valley holding a slight edge in possession despite the Gulls still leading in shots.

Shots were 14-7 for the Gulls on the frame and 25-14 overall. The shot map showing Clang was required to come up with some big saves but the Gulls still showing good moxie in the Coachella Valley zone.

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

Watching the action without audio for the first six minutes of the final period because ofcourse its AHL TV. Play remained a back and forth affair of quick chances and counter chances.

Coachella Valley had possibly the best opportunity of the period when Logan Morrison found himself on a partial break but Calle Clang shut the door coming up with a huge save to keep things tied with six minutes remaining.

With just under three minutes remaining the home squad finally broke through after holding constant possession and testing the Gulls net for a good few minutes of play. Calle Clang beat by a shot that was deflected en route and sailed by his glove. 2-1 Coachella Valley.

From there it was just as the Ducks GM Pat Verbeek recently stated – another a one goal loss.

Post Game Notes:

More New Guy Notes P2

Andrew Lucas once again stood out in this game as he looked much more comfortable and settled in. He was much more involved in the attack and following the Gulls ‘green light to rove down to the goal line’ option that appears to have been given to their defenders this season. He also jumped into the rush on multiple occasions and at one point featured in a potential two on one with Nikita Nesterenko but elected to peel back to cover. San Diego recently assigned Profaca down to Tulsa indicating that Lucas has played his way into a permanent spot on this squad and that is showing as good decision with his play these last few games. The Ducks defensive scouting have done it again, the undrafted Lucas and his numbers in College didn’t immediately stand out to me as translating to an elevated level at the professional level one tier below the NHL but he sure is showing that in just four games he can develop at very fast rate.

Congrats Sam, Welcome Cutter

Sam Colangelo was signed to an ELC and given his first action with the Ducks this week. The contract was well earned as he had more than proven himself with four points in his first four games of action at the AHL level while always looking a threat on a line with Chase De Leo and Glenn Gawdin. I don’t anticipate we will see him again next year unless he is sent down for a conditioning stint.

Cutter Gauthier was also signed to his ELC – just today – as his BC team lost to Denver in the Frozen Four final. He will make his Ducks debut Thursday in their final game of the season. Normally the Ducks final game of the season brings extra fun with players released to join the Gulls but I cant see that happening given the Ducks are pretty much done for the season also and the current squad is deserving of all the minutes they can get to close out the year and earn jobs for next season. The two added forwards to the Ducks next season means San Diego might see some bodies come their way as roster spots get increasingly tight. A lot of them are not waiver exempt either so either Ducks will need to make some moves over the summer or the waiver wire is going to look very interesting during training camp.

Big Konnor First Look

I got my first look at Konnor Smith in today’s action and I wish I had more to say. He didn’t stand out but he also did not make any horrific errors either. He reminded me of Tyson Hinds at least defensively, using his big frame and long reach to close gaps and drive attackers wide. He is clearly still settling in as I was disappointed to not see much or any of the no-prisoners physical play that his game is known for but he also didn’t retaliate or take stupid penalties when on the receiving end of a hard finishing check. Offensively he won’t ever be a puck rushing defender but he can send a bomb from the blue line – which is how he scored his first AHL goal two games ago.