Bennefield Sparks Gulls Comeback, 4-2

March 8, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO - Jesse Bennefield scored two goals in less than a minute, leading the San Diego Gulls to a dramatic, come-from-behind victory, 4-2 over the Dayton Bombers on Wednesday night at ipayOne Center.

During the first-ever match-up between the two clubs in San Diego, Dayton (18-37-5) led the Gulls (27-24-5) 2-1 late in the third period. But San Diego wasn't finished. Bennefield struck first at 13:18, sparking a flurry of Gulls goals. The rookie forward added what turned out to be the game-winner 54 seconds later for San Diego's first lead of the match at 3-2. The score upped his team-leading goal count to 27 on the season.

Playing in his first game with the Gulls, Bobby Cunningham added an unassisted tally with 2:09 remaining, as San Diego poured in three goals over a 4:33 span to run away from the Bombers.

The Gulls have now won seven of their last eight games, while Dayton's winless streak reached eight (0-7-1). The club from Ohio also has lost six straight road games, all against Pacific Division foes.

San Diego goaltender Tyler Weiman made 27 saves to improve his record to 4-0-0 in five games since being reassigned from Lowell.

In the opening period, it took the Gulls a while to get going. The Bombers held a 6-1 shot advantage five minutes into the match, and they got on the scoreboard first just 64 seconds into the contest. Tim Konsorada blasted a wicked slap shot past Weiman to give Dayton the early 1-0 lead.

San Diego's Pierre-Luc Sleigher tied it at 1-1 in the second. On the play, rookie Erik Johnson took a shot, and Sleigher wristed in the rebound over Bombers netminder Mike Brown at the 3:26 mark. In his first ever professional game, Johnson picked up an assist for his initial pro point.

Dayton responded later in the frame when defenseman Alex Johnstone's slap shot from the blue line somehow got deflected in front and found the back of the net. The score at that point read 2-1 with 3:48 remaining in the frame.

That's when the Bombers ran out of gas, and the Gulls made their comeback. In the final period, San Diego out-shot Dayton 11-4 and kept them off the scoreboard while tallying three goals of its own.

Notes: Weiman has stopped 142 of the last 150 shots (94.0 percent) he has faced since being re-assigned from Lowell... San Diego has killed 114 of 126 penalties in its last 22 games (90.5 percent)... In the Gulls' final 16 regular season games, nine are against teams over .500... In the Gulls' final seven home games, five are against teams over .500... Cunningham was acquired Tuesday from Pensacola in exchange for Doug MacIver... Johnson signed Wednesday...

The Gulls return to action Friday in Fresno, with game-time from Save Mart Center set for 7 p.m. San Diego will play in Long Beach Saturday at 7 p.m. before hosting Fresno Sunday at 5:05 p.m. It will be another Kids Night and "Skate with the Gulls' will be held immediately following the game. The first 2,000 kids (12-and-under) in attendance will also receive a Gulls lunch box, courtesy of Chili's and SeaWorld. All games can be heard on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. Most games can also be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks. Click the B2 Networks (Watch the Game Live) link on the home page for a list of the upcoming viewable games. To view pictures from this season, visit www.zerodogentertainment.com.



ECHL Stories from March 8, 2006


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