Gulls Beat Aces, 2-1
Published on January 18, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO â If the line of Mark Pederson, Sylvain Deschatelets and Greg Barber wasn't the hottest in the ECHL, it is now. The trio combined on both San Diego goals and Trevor Koenig stopped 20 shots, leading the Gulls to a 2-1 win over the Alaska Aces Sunday evening at the Sports Arena.
It was a nip-and-tuck battle all the way. Pederson opened the scoring early in the first period, connecting on helpers from Barber and Deschatelets. Offense was then held at a standstill until Pederson scored again midway through the third, again on setup feeds from Deschatelets and Barber. Alaska added a marker late, but it was too late.
The Gulls (23-10-3) now move two points ahead of the Aces (22-14-3) for third place in the Pacific Division. San Diego still trails the front-running Idaho Steelheads and second-place Las Vegas Wranglers, but have games in hand on both teams.
Pederson gave the Gulls a 1-0 lead 4:31 into the first period on their first shot. Deschatelets won an end zone face off to Barber standing along the left wing boards. Barber then kicked it to Pederson, who one-timed a slap shot past Dan Murphy. It was Pederson's first goal of the game and extended his point streak to 11 games. He had his franchise record nine-game goal-scoring streak snapped Saturday night.
San Diego had a handful of chances in the second period to increase its lead, but Murphy stood on his head, keeping it a one-goal game. The Alaska netminder had 12 saves in the middle frame, a few of which were grade-A scoring opportunities.
Koenig wasn't as busy, but certainly made his presence felt when called upon. San Diego's backstop had 14 saves through two periods, keeping the Aces off the scoreboard.
It stayed 1-0 until Pederson, Deschatelets and Barber connected again 8:42 into the third. Barber had the puck at center ice and sprung Deschatelets, who rushed in two-on-one with Pederson. Deschatelets waited for the Alaska defenseman to commit, then dished it to Pederson, who tapped it home. It was Pederson's second goal of the game and 25th of the season, which ties him for the ECHL lead with Florida's Brian McCullough.
Wes Dorey finally solved Koenig with 19.1 seconds left in the game, jamming in a rebound off Mike Scott's wrist shot. But it was too little too late for the Aces, who have now dropped four straight games.
Notes: Pederson has 20 points (14g, 6a) during his 11-game point streak... Deschatelets has 18 points (3g, 15a) in the last 11 games... Barber has 10 points (3g, 7a) in his last six games... The Gulls are unbeaten in 15 of their last 18 games (14-3-1), outscoring their opponents 62-39... San Diego is 21-7-3 against Pacific Division teams, including a 13-1-0 mark at home... The Blue and Orange were assessed no penalties Sunday. They have still killed 100 of their last 107 short-handed opportunites... Josh Gratton remains with the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks... Billy Tibbetts is still with the AHL's Springfield Falcons... Kevin Grant remains out of the lineup with a neck strain...
The Gulls will have a few days off during the all-star break before returning to action Friday night in Long Beach. You can catch the ECHL Par-A-Dice All-Star Game live on Channel 4 San Diego Wednesday, starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday night's game from the Long Beach Arena gets underway at 7 p.m. San Diego returns home for a pair of games against the Bakersfield Condors Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's game starts at 7:05 p.m. and kids jerseys, presented by Payless Rent-A-Car, will be given to the first 2,000 youngsters 14 and under. Sunday's game is a 5:05 p.m. start and "Skate with the Gulls" will be held immediately afterwards. All games can be heard live on KPOP 1360AM with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. The Gulls Internet radio show, hosted by Tera Black and Jeremy Zager, begins airing live Monday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on wsRadio.com.
ECHL Stories from January 18, 2004
- Steelheads Lose to Long Beach, 3-2, in a Shootout - Idaho Steelheads
- Aces lose 2-1 in San Diego - Alaska Aces
- Gulls Beat Aces, 2-1 - San Diego Gulls
- Titans Fall To Royals - Trenton Devils
- IceGators Strafe the Ice Pilots - Louisiana IceGators
- Stingrays Ready for Big Games - South Carolina Stingrays
- Checkers Break For Four Days for ECHL All-Star Game - Charlotte Checkers
- Game Preview: Long Beach at Idaho - Idaho Steelheads
- Nailers Stifle Bullies 1-0 - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- IceGators Cap Wildcatters - Louisiana IceGators
- TJ's Sports Garden and Restaurant and the Nailers Present All-Star Wednesday Night - Wheeling Nailers
- Fresno Falls, 7-2, in Front of More than 11,000 - Fresno Falcons
- San Diego Strikes Quickly, Stuns Aces - Alaska Aces
- Wranglers One Better, 3-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- Gulls Beat Aces, 4-2 - San Diego Gulls
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