2020-2021 Game 14: San Diego Gulls vs San Jose Barracuda

Olle Eriksson Ek made his AHL debutn as the Gulls searched for a win.

Lines were as follows:

Dostie – S Carrick – Kindopp

Morand – Agozzino – Poturalski

Golod – Groulx – Drew

Devane – Tracey

T Carrick – Curran

Lowe – Brouillard

Benoit – Guhle

Kanzig

Eriksson Ek

Glass

San Diego came out hard in the first period and earned the games first goal off of a great shift from the Groulx line.  Hunter Drew getting his first of the season and first as a forward, as he collected a pass and came in off the goal line to slide a shot near-side by the San Jose netminder.  1-0 Gulls.

This is just so fun to watch!@HunterDrew7 | #SJvsSD pic.twitter.com/vK9w3Y7AhL

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) March 7, 2021

The Barracuda hit right back, leaving the rookie Eriksson Ek exposed by some good passing but ultimately tying things up via a shot from the slot that the Swedish netminder would probably want back as it squeaked by his five-hole. 1-1 Tie game.

The Gulls had a great chance to take the lead right back as Brendan Guhle joined the rush and received a pass back-door but he was stopped by a great last-ditch stretch from Alexei Melnichuk.

The first period ending with teams tied 1-1 but the Gulls behind in shots 15-5.

It was another strong start for the Gulls to start the middle frame as they fought to maintain possession and buzzed the San Jose zone.  Max Golod showed off his speed as he not only gained the San Jose zone but circled the net, firing a pass in front that bounced to a waiting BO Groulx.  2-1 Gulls.

Piece of 🎂@BO_groulx57 | #SJvSD pic.twitter.com/rLkTALiF8D

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) March 7, 2021

Moments later the Barracuda were awarded a Power Play as Brendan Guhle was called for slashing.  San Jose making the Gulls pay by firing a fade-away shot that made its way by the glove of Eriksson Ek through traffic.  2-2 tie game.

Team headed to the second intermission tied once again, but the Barracuda edging further ahead in shots 29-16. The shot map showing the Barracuda dominating much of the Gulls lower slot.

San Diego came out firing to start the third but found themselves down a man as they were caught with too many men.  The penalty kill prevented the Barracuda from getting any dangerous chances on the Gulls rookie netminder and when he did face a nasty redirected shot in front – he was equal to the task.

Bryce Kindopp was sprung on a shorthanded break and hooked at the moment of truth to send the Gulls to a brief Power Play as the too many men minor expired twenty seconds later.  Although they showed good movement with the man advantage they could not convert and the score remained tied with under ten minutes remaining in the third.

Things opened up with under five minutes left as back to back rushes saw some back and forth near chances on both sides but scores remained dead locked and we headed to the extra session to settle the score.

San Jose gained possession from the face-off but the Gulls turned the puck over with a nice hit by Sam Carrick at center ice.  San Diego maintained possession there-after and as Andrew Poturalski sent an errant pass off the boards that missed Agozzino – the veteran forward followed up on the play and pressured the loose puck past the San Jose defense, going in alone on San Jose net. Faking the goaltender out of position and sweeping it by him to give the Gulls the win and Olle Eriksson Ek his first victory in his first start.

Post Game Notes

Olle Olle Olle

I will be the first to admit I have been very down on Eriksson Ek to start his pro career.  He hasn’t shown much to warrant excitement in terms of his development thus far and was out played by Roman Durny in Tulsa to start the season.  But the young Swede – although shaky at first – settled down and earned his spot as one of the games stars in the win.  Stopping 39 of 41 shots.

Go Go Golod

I said it might take time for Max Golod to grow accustomed to the AHL and shake off the rush from a long wait to return from injury but he definitely showed some very impressive speed as well as hockey sense tonight.  The Groulx goal was all him – from the zone entry to the pass in front.  I had a vague thought that given time – he could become another Antoine Morand.  I would need to see how he looks on the penalty kill though.

Defense is the new forward

I keep harping on this but it really is the strangest thing about this season.  San Diego iced eight total defencemen tonight.  I realise now that it is out of necessity but given we haven’t been publicly informed of any injuries the casual fan might think Coach Dineen somewhat… eccentric.  But from what we can piece together from bits and pieces and reports is the following: 

• Jack Badini is out and has been for a while
• Matt Lorito got hurt in the game against Ontario
• Jacob Perreault got hurt in yesterdays game against the Barracuda but it wasn’t serious enough to warrant him going straight to the locker-room after the injury.