Toronto, Ontario. Starting the season on the road and once again with a completely revamped line-up but for a few familiar faces – the San Diego Gulls much improved depth meant the likes of Sasha Pastujov and Andrew Lucas started the season in Tulsa.
The final Ducks camp cuts – Nikita Nesterenko and Sam Colangelo started on the top line joined by veteran center Jansen Harkins. Third year Gull Pavol Regenda began the season on the second line joining the two veterans Ryan Carpenter and Carson Meyer. Josh Lopina found himself centering the third line – with Judd Caulfiled on the right and the impressive Yegor Sidorov on the left. While Nathan Gaucher round out the bottom six – as the pivot between Nico Myatovic and rookie Coulson Pitre.
On defense the new veteran signing Dillon Heatherington anchored the top pair with the rookie Noah Warren. 2023 fifth round selection Rodwin Dionico was paired with another newcomer veteran in Roland McKeown and Coach McIlvane wisely kept last years minute eating pairing of Drew Helleson and Tyson Hinds together.
Veteran Oscar Dansk got the start – backed up by Calle Clang.
Tomas Suchanek started the season on long term injured reserve – not due back until at least April while Jan Mysak, Travis Howe and Roman Kinal were the healthy scratches.
First Period:
The Gulls started strong albeit with a few wobbles from their fresh-faced rookies. Noah Warren learning an early lesson in when and when not to join the rush as he got caught down low which lead to a Marlies two on one opportunity the other way.
Nikita Nesterenko showed his even more improved speed and picked up right where he left off last season, opening the scoring by receiving a pass through the neutral zone and beating his defender on the outside to head in on net and fire a low shot that beat veteran Matt Murray. 1-0 Gulls.
It was non stop action for the next ten minutes in what I can only describe as controlled chaos (see post game notes). San Diego mostly enjoyed the run of play with the odd chance for the Marlies coming off the back of forced mistakes by the Gulls rookie defenders.
A Marlies cross check on Carson Meyer lead to the games first Power Play at the midway point of the frame.
The Gulls best chances came from the first unit as they managed to find Yegor Sidorov on the right side on two occasions but his one-timers were stopped. The second – more veteran heavy – unit fared better at getting set but could not move the puck around fast enough to generate any real threat on net.
Toronto slowly seemed to be sliding momentum back in their direction as the period counted down – spending more time in the San Diego zone but a spirited flurry in the final few seconds saw San Diego close the period out on a positive. The Gulls taking a 1-0 lead to the first intermission and leading 8-4 in shots. The shot map reflecting the Gulls mostly strong play throughout the period.
Second Period: San Diego Gulls 1 – Toronto Marlies 0
San Diego started the period strong, controlling in the Toronto zone and firing some more chances on net but the Marlies quickly turned the tables and it was all Toronto until the twelve minute mark when a Marlies cycle drew a tripping call – against them – to give the Gulls their second Power Play of the game.
Starting with the second unit this time they once again did a great job of getting set but not so great at generating chances before being replaced by the first unit – who struggled to get set and when they finally did – saw a Rodwin Dionicio shot blocked and lead to a clear cut breakaway by the player exiting the penalty box. Oscar Dansk made the first stop on his side to side deek and Nikita Nesterenko was there to prevent the second opportunity but the third Marlie in made it count. 1-1 tie game.
San Diego was able to briefly halt the relentless Toronto onslaught as they were awarded a Power Play at the six minute mark but as the hockey gods would have it – fell victim to the exact same play at the conclusion of the last failed man advantage as a blocked pass bounced out to the man leaving the box who this time made no mistake on his first attempt going in alone on Dansk. 2-1 Marlies lead.
The goal was shortly followed by a Toronto man advantage of their own as Nathan Gaucher was caught tripping a Marlie forward making his way to the San Diego net. After getting one clearance the Gulls were unable to prevent Toronto from getting set a second time and as they got to work a shot-pass from the right side deflected off a defender and trickled by Dansk. 3-1 Marlies.
San Diego almost mounted an instant response as a turnover caused by a thunderous Dionico shoulder check lead to an outnumbered forecheck in the Toronto zone, Sam Colangelo set up for a point blank chance that was stopped.
Play settled into a haphazard back and forth rhythm before time expired on the middle frame to see the Gulls fall behind 3-1 after surrendering three unanswered goals through twenty minutes. Shots were 17-6 for the home team on the period and the shot map showing how thoroughly outplayed they were.
Third Period: Toronto Marlies 3 – San Diego Gulls 1
Determined to get back in the contest the Gulls started the period strong, putting the Marlies under physical pressure early and instantly breaking through via a Carson Meyer tip in front after some great work by the trio of Meyer, Carpenter and Regenda. 3-2 Marlies lead.
It was more controlled chaos for most of the next few minutes and Carson Meyer thought he had another as he pulled up on a rush and wired a shot through the traffic that subsequently blew by him but the Marlies net was dislodged by a diving defender and Officials could not review the play.
The Gulls didn’t quit – keeping up the pressure in the Toronto zone and eventually getting the deserved equalizer via a great individual play by Jansen Harkins. The former Penguin swinging in from the right side, shifting in and out of traffic toward the high slot and firing a pin point shot top corner. 3-3 tie game.
San Diego refused to play conservative and kept pushing for the go-ahead goal which cost them as a two on one break for Toronto sent the home team right back ahead as Captain and former Gull Logan Show fed a pass under the falling Roland McKeown to Nick Abruzzese in what would be the game winner.
San Diego outplaying their opponent through two out of three periods but dropping a one goal decision in their first game of the season.
Post Game Notes:
Controlled Chaos
I love this time of year. Early regular season is essentially still preseason for the AHL. Team’s have played maybe one unofficial game and are still figuring out their lines, special teams and overall strategy. Players are brand new to each-other as well as the league. Set plays look fumbled but somehow still work. Errant passes lead to offensive chances for and against and you can probably assume your team might lose no matter how good they look on paper.
Never Enough Vets
I realise that I need to update my veteran rule page with the vets I had not expected to be assigned to San Diego this season. Before Jansen Harkins and Carson Meyer were assigned I had Ryan Carpenter, Dillon Heatherington and Roland McKeown down as making up the maximum of five with two spots to spare. Carson Meyer is under the cusp – with a total of 213 games played and Jansen Harkins makes the cut at 413 total games played between the AHL and NHL. So that still leaves room for one more veteran and a certain former Gulls Captain recently came back from the KHL earlier than expected…
The Good, The Bad and The Exciting
Nikita Nesterenko, what more can you say. He was the fastest skater out there for both teams. Creating the games first goal with pure unbeatable speed and preventing opportunities with lightning fast back-checking.
Pavol Regenda was not his usual trigger happy or overtly physically dominant self at all. I can count maybe three opportunities where he should have shot the puck but he elected to pass. It was… not encouraging to watch. Josh Lopina did well but I couldn’t help but think he might be out of his depth soon as this new wave of youngsters increases internal competition for spots – having one extra veteran center for that third line would be.. ideal.
Rodwin Dionico is in a word, exciting. He had some very bad miscues early on and you could see why the Ducks had initially planned for him to spend the year in Switzerland honing his defensive game – those parts of his game still need some ironing out but with the puck – he is fun to watch. He also managed to throw an attention grabbing open ice hit – a trademark of his game.
Also the fact that the Gulls were on the Power Play more than they were in the box is a new and exciting feeling and I am not sure what to do with it.
Red Light, Green Light
This might just be early season jitters but it felt like the defense-men have been given the green light to join the rush with reckless abandon. Noah Warren was the most noticeable – possibly because its not really a part of his game that he is known for. He was almost burned by it once in the first period but it did not deter him and I saw him do it once more later on in action. What he will need to learn as a young defender, is when to apply the red light even though he has been given the green.
2024-2025 Game 2: San Diego Gulls at Toronto Marlies
Toronto, Ontario. After coming back from 3-1 down to lose by one in the final few minutes …