After suffering a loss in the first match-up in the three game end of regular-season series with the Eagles, the Gulls looked to respond. Still without their aces in the hole – Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, Kevin Dineen kept lines much the same from the previous game but gave Olle Eriksson Ek the start.
San Diego put together some nice short passing plays in the Colorado zone to start but also seemed to still have trouble containing the talented rookie Jean-Luc Foudy as the teams exchanged minor chances in the early goings.
Meanwhile the Eagles struggled to contain the Groulx line and were given the first penalty of the game when Miles Grendon was called for boarding on Alex Limoges.
It would be Limoges himself who capitalised on the Power Play opportunity as Josh Mahura spotted and sprung Limoges on a partial break, the two-time Hobey Baker nominee placing a low wrist-shot near-side to make it 1-0 Gulls.
Riding momentum from the goal the Gulls started to get some good looks on the the Eagles debut net-minder at five on five.
Play began to open up as both teams saw opportunities to stretch the ice. Colorado’s Foudy and Ranta looked particularly dangerous with the additional time and space and their chances lead to some definitive momentum shift while the Eagles held the San Diego zone for shifts at a time. The home team quietly built a lead in shots while the Gulls saw the odd high danger chance allowed from a counter attack that went begging with one pass too many.
Trevor Carrick was called for high sticking with seven minutes remaining in the period but the Gulls did a stellar job of applying an aggressive penalty kill that prevented zone entries more often than not and allowed no space when the Eagles did manage to get an eventual partial set-up.
San Diego enjoyed the majority of chances as the period came to a close but could not add to their opening tally, taking the 1-0 lead into the first intermission but trailing in shots slightly 8-11.
Colorado set the tone for the start of the second as they controlled the San Diego zone with some crisp passing and cycling play up high.
The Gulls slowly but surely fought back and broke through on a seemingly innocent play as Bryce Kindopp took the puck from a chaotic puck battle on the right side boards in the Eagles zone, stepped into the high slot and sent a low wrist shot on net that slipped through the Eagles net-minder with two of his own defenders blocking out the sun in front. 2-0 Gulls.
Soon after the Eagles came close on a net front scramble that Sampo Ranta (remember I wrote about him) was the main aggressor for, but the Gulls added to their lead when a Niklas Brouillard zone entry and pass into the slot bounced off of two separate players and by the Eagles net-minder before he had time to react to the first bounce. 3-0 Gulls.
The rest of the middle frame was a lot of contention for center ice with the odd partial break – including one great breakaway chance for Nik Brouillard but he ran out of room and could not execute a good move to finish.
The Gulls looking in control as they headed to the second intermission up 3-0 and even in shots 18-18.
Colorado came out with some energy to start the third, starving the Gulls of possession for three consecutive shifts and then as San Diego started to shift momentum the other way with some good chances in the Eagles zone Alex Limoges was called for tripping.
The Gulls killed the penalty with some great work down low and almost got another scoring opportunity through Limoges coming out the box patiently buying time with the puck to allow his team-mates to join him in the Eagles zone but made one pass too many as the play fizzled out.
Colorado continued their strong to the period by earning a goal through some sustained pressure in the San Diego zone, as a shot from the point made its way through traffic and by Eriksson Ek. 3-1 Gulls with ten minutes to go.
San Diego came back with a response from the Groulx line – getting successive successful shifts from all four other lines after. De Leo and Brouillard enjoyed point blank chances and the puck somehow stayed out as the score remained 3-1.
Colorado fought back and kept the Gulls contained in their own zone for much of the last five minutes but as the Eagles pulled their net-minder for the extra attacker the Gulls were able to disrupt play, Vinni Lettieri hitting the empty net to make it 4-1 with just over two minutes remaining.
The Gulls skating away with the 4-1 victory and that much closer to leapfrogging Bakersfield for second place heading into the divisional playoff.
Post Game Notes
The GLK
The Groulx line has never really been given an official name. I thought initially of the LGK line but that is also the unfortunate acronym of our cross town rival parent clubs anthem for crowd participation so lets not go there. This is Groulx’s line so lets stick with The GLK. The most consistent line of any on the Gulls and the one you go to when you need a boost or a goal or a Power Play. I am fully expecting either Groulx or Limoges or both to be with the Ducks next year so this might be a short lived name but they have been pretty much unstoppable in every contest since their formation. There isn’t really much else to say. The perfect blend of size, skill and quickly developing chemistry.
Shades Of Theo Fluery?
There was a play by Chase De Leo tonight that suddenly set off a light-bulb above my head as to who he reminded me of this season. I think we can all agree the La Mirada native has beefed up since last season but he has also looked a (excuse me) shit load stronger in his skating, speed and overall acceleration. He has also upped the tenacity and bite in his game. Like a lot. All of that adds up to a certain late 90s cult hero of small stature hockey players who I just happened to idolize growing up. Am I far off making this comparison?
Re-Assessing the Defensive Depth Chart
I had a txt conversation with Crash the Ponds Jake Rudolph during the first period of this game regarding Kodie Curran and whether or not the Seattle Kraken might take him in the upcoming expansion draft. Foolishly I didn’t check that he isn’t eligible due to not spending enough time in North America. He followed up that confirmation by stating that even if he was, he wouldn’t be selected due to his age. I hadn’t realised his age but it led me to ponder as the game went on. Could the Ducks have stumbled upon some diamonds in the rough to jump-start the suddenly ailing defensive depth? Curran has looked at all times to be far too good for the AHL this season while early season walk-on Nicklas Brouillard – despite playing at forward for much of the year – has also looked impressive in his first season with the Gulls. I could see both challenging for roster spots with the Ducks next year, or at least the later being a late-camp cut. Anaheim has no doubt replenished the defensive depth in recent drafts but these two signings have provided a good stop-gap until the likes of Thrun, Lacombe and Moore are ready.
PS – that is not to mention the pleasant surprise of Axel Andersson. I honestly did not expect him to be able to adjust to the AHL as easily as he has thus far. He will still need time but he is one to watch moving forward.
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