Gulls Beat Idaho, 5-2

December 5, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Gulls had trouble scoring Friday against the Idaho Steelheads. The tables turned Saturday night as the Blue and Orange – led by Sean O'Connor's two goals – found their offensive spark and cruised to a 5-2 victory, before 6,891 at the Sports Arena.

San Diego (7-6-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and made it a three-goal game early in the third before the Steelheads (11-6-1) could dent the scoreboard. The Gulls tacked on two more later in the third and that was all she wrote.

Similar to Friday night, the Gulls opened with a strong first period, out-shooting and out-chancing the Steelheads. And just like Friday night, the Gulls started the scoring, as Evgueni Nourislamov notched his fourth of the year at the 9:14 mark. Nourislamov, who was robbed by Frank Doyle earlier in the period, held in an Idaho clearing attempt at the left point and rocketed home a slap shot past the screened rookie netminder.

But unlike Friday, San Diego had more offense and took a 2-0 lead 13:09 into the first on O'Connor's first goal of the night. It happened again on a Steelheads turnover, as O'Connor stole the puck inside the Idaho zone and beat Doyle from the top of the slot.

Meanwhile, Trevor Koenig was his usual self in net for the Blue and Orange. He wasn't tested much through the first two periods, but was perfect when called upon. Koenig's defense also remained flawless, giving the Steelheads a little taste of their own medicine. Idaho came into the game as the second-best defensive club in the ECHL, allowing the second fewest shots per game while owning the league's best penalty killing unit. It was the Gulls, however, that kept the defending Kelly Cup Champion's attack to a minimum.

The stingy defense continued early in the third period, as San Diego's penalty killers thwarted a 42-second Idaho two-man advantage. After killing the rest of the 5-on-4 power play, the Gulls' offense went back to work as they extended their lead to three at the 4:29 mark.

Colin Shields and Max Birbraer played catch with the puck at center ice before Birbraer rushed into the Steelheads zone and wristed a shot past Doyle.

Idaho finally solved Koenig 28 seconds later as Ben Keup, stationed right in front of the crease, backhanded a rebound home. The original shot came from Lance Galbraith, who weaved his way around the left wing circle before shoving the puck on net.

The Gulls quickly answered with two straight goals, which gave them a commanding 5-1 lead and chased Doyle from the game. The first tally came from O'Connor at 7:06, taking advantage of another Steelheads turnover. Idaho again coughed-up the puck inside its own zone and O'Connor, just like his first goal, grabbed possession and beat Doyle from the slot.

Sylvain Deschatelets then lit the lamp 46 seconds later, connecting on passes from Chris Lynch and Ian Forbes. Deschatelets' goal – his third of the season – ended Doyle's night as former Gull Colin Zulianello entered in relief.

Dan Vandermeer made it a 5-2 game at 15:16 of third, scoring on a soft wrist shot from the right point. The Idaho comeback would end there, however, as San Diego cruised the rest of the way.

Notes: The Gulls are now 6-1-1 at home this season and 1-5-1 on the road... In their seven wins, San Diego has outscored its opponents 37-15... The Gulls have been outscored 26-9 in their eight losses (which includes an overtime and shootout loss)... San Diego was 8-1-1 against Idaho last season, including a 5-0-0 mark at home... Darren Clark was selected as the Gulls' Player of the Month for November... Scott Borders was activated from injured reserve after missing the last five games with a back injury... Sean Murphy, suffering from a fractured knuckle, was transferred to the 30-day injured list, retroactive to Nov. 27...

The Gulls will again host the Steelheads Sunday, with game-time set for 5:05 p.m. It will be another "Kids Night," featuring "Skate with the Gulls" immediately following the game. Sunday will also be the fifth annual "Teddy Bear Toss," presented by The Window Factory. All fans are invited to throw an unwrapped toy onto the ice after the Gulls score their first goal of the game. San Diego will continue its long homestand with three games next week against the Alaska Aces.

All games can be heard live on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. All home games and many road games can be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks. Click the B2 Networks link on the home page for a list of the upcoming telecasted games. To view pictures from this season, visit www.sdgullsphotos.com and www.zerodogentertainment.com.



ECHL Stories from December 5, 2004


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