Gulls Beat Long Beach Again, 5-3

Published on February 12, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO – It was the Curtis Brown Show Friday night against the Long Beach Ice Dogs. The NHL veteran scored one goal and added two assists, leading his San Diego Gulls to a 5-3 victory over their Southern California rivals, before 4,596 at the Sports Arena.

The Gulls (25-16-5) have now won two straight and are unbeaten in 26 of their last 27 head-to-head meetings with Long Beach (25-1-1), dating back to October 2002. Even with the loss, the Ice Dogs (30-14-4) have still won five of their last seven games and are unbeaten in 23 of their last 29 overall (21-6-2).

Long Beach opened up a 1-0 lead 11:05 into the first period on a power-play goal by Christian Larrivee. Joe Cardarelli had the puck inside the left-wing circle and dished a behind-the-back-pass to a wide-open Larrivee, who easily tapped it past San Diego goaltender Mathieu Chouinard for his fifth goal of the season.

Brown tied it 5:46 into the second period with his eighth goal. It happened on a great individual effort, as Brown took the puck away from an Ice Dogs defenseman at center ice, then skated in all alone against netminder Chris Madden. While on the breakaway, the San Diego centerman curled around right circle, made a slick move to his backhand and lifted a shot into the upper corner of the net.

Brown was the focal point again less than three minutes later, helping the Gulls gain a 2-1 lead. After winning an endzone faceoff in the Long Beach zone, Brown nudged the puck to San Diego newcomer Grady Moore, who blasted home a slap shot. The goal, which came at the 8:44 mark, was Moore's first in a Gulls uniform – third of the season.

The Ice Dogs, however, answered with their second power-play marker of the night at 11:34, making it a 2-2 game. Nathan Martz was the beneficiary, redirecting in Evan Cheverie's pass from the top of the right circle for his 13th goal of the year.

Max Birbraer quickly regained San Diego's lead at 14:47 with his 12th goal. After taking Brown's centering pass from behind the net, Birbraer flung a shot that just trickled past Madden and over the goal line.

San Diego couldn't hold that lead either, as Long Beach tied it again with just five seconds left in the middle frame. Matt Shasby skated out of the right corner and found an open Chris Kenady, who rifled in his team-leading 23rd tally.

The Gulls grabbed their third one-goal lead of the night 2:36 into the third period on Mark Pederson's 10th goal. Darren Clark battled for a loose puck along the left wing boards and pushed it to Nick Ganga, who skated behind the net and found Pederson streaking down the middle. The veteran forward moved all the way to the left circle before wristing a shot past Madden.

This time the Blue and Orange were able to keep the lead, as Chouinard and company shut the door from there. And Brian Gornick's empty-netter with 56 seconds left in the game sealed the San Diego victory. It was his team-leading 17th tally.

Notes: San Diego is now 16-4-2 at home this season, out-scoring its opponents 87-61... The Gulls are 9-12-3 on the road and have been outscored 76-55... They are 39-11-2 all-time against the Ice Dogs... The Blue and Orange have been out-shot 320-221 in their last nine games... Sean Murphy was activated from the 30-day injured list Friday. He missed the last 19 games with a broken thumb... Andrew Canzanello remains with the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks... Scott Borders (quad-contusion), Evgueni Nourislamov (broken thumb), and Wes Rypien all remain on the injured list...

The Gulls continue their four-game homestand Saturday against Fresno, with game-time set for 7:05 p.m. It will be the first-ever "Canadian Night" and the first 8,000 fans in attendance will receive a special Gulls "Canadian Night" long-sleeved T-shirt, presented by your San Diego County Toyota Dealers. San Diego will host the Wheeling Nailers Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. before playing in Fresno on Friday, Feb. 18.

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.

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