Gulls Beat Bakersfield 4-3 in OT

Published on November 21, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Mark Pederson is alive and well thank you very much. The veteran forward scored three times, including the game-winner 2:56 into overtime, and added an assist to lead the San Diego Gulls over the Bakersfield Condors, 4-3, Friday night at Centennial Garden.

Pederson scored his first goal 50 seconds into the game, notched another midway through the second and ended the game with his overtime tally. He also setup San Diego's game-tying goal late in the third. Rookie center Igor Pohanka recorded three assists, while Dennis Purdie chipped in with two helpers – including his 500th career point.

With the win, the Gulls (6-4-2) move into a fifth place tie with the Condors (6-7-2). Both teams are now eight points behind the front-running Las Vegas Wranglers.

It took only 50 seconds for the Gulls to get on the board as Pohanka and Pederson connected on a two-on-one. Pohanka skated down the right wing and while drawing the Bakersfield defenseman toward him, slid a pass to Pederson, who tapped it by Joe Watkins. Purdie also assisted on the play for his 500th career point.

The Condors tied it 10:54 into the first on a power-play goal by Andrew Ianiero. Quinn Fair got the original shot from the right point that Trevor Koenig couldn't control. The rebound caromed right to Ianiero, who easily punched it home.

Bakersfield notched its second straight power-play goal at 15:23 to take a 2-1 lead. Jason Ralph threw a shot at the net from the right circle that banked off Paul Rosebush's skate and behind Koenig. It was only the Condors' sixth power-play goal of the season, four of which have come against the Gulls.

Pederson and Pohanka connected again midway through the second, knotting the contest, 2-2. Jon Mirasty was called off for running Miguel Delisle at center ice and the Gulls power play went to work. On the ensuing man advantage, Pederson picked up the rebound off Pohanka's wide-angle shot and buried his second goal of the game.

Fair regained Bakersfield's lead 16:51 into the third period, creeping in from the point and beating Koenig with a wrist shot. Ianiero made the play happen, taking the puck behind the net and drawing the San Diego defense down low. That left Fair wide open in the slot.

San Diego answered one minute later to re-tie the game, 3-3. Rookie defenseman Eric Skaug drove down the left wing, then shoveled a centering pass to Greg Barber, who knocked it by Watkins. Pederson earned the second assist on the play.

Pederson won it for the Gulls with his hat trick goal 2:56 into the overtime session. The puck bounced toward the slot, Pederson picked it up and fired it in. Pohanka and Purdie registered the helpers on the game-winning tally.

Notes: Steve Martinson needs nine wins for 400 all-time... Pederson had one point in his previous six games... San Diego plays eight of its next nine games at home... Billy Tibbetts remains out of the lineup with a fractured wrist. He's expected to miss about two more weeks... Sandro Sbrocca is still out with a sore groin... Cliff Loya missed his third straight game with a shoulder injury... Paul Willett, Bakersfield's all-time leading scorer, re-signed earlier this week...

The Gulls open a two-game homestand starting Tuesday against the Alaska Aces at 7:05 p.m. San Diego then hosts the Long Beach Ice Dogs Friday at 7:35 p.m. All games can be heard live on KPOP 1360 AM with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. The Gulls Internet radio show, hosted by Tera Black and Jeremy Zager on wsradio.com, will begin airing biweekly soon. Stay tuned for more details...

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ECHL Stories from November 21, 2003


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