Gulls Beat Victoria, 3-2
April 9, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO â Max Birbraer notched a goal and an assist and goaltender Simon Lajeunesse stopped 28 of 30 shots, leading the San Diego Gulls to a 3-2 victory over the Victoria Salmon Kings Friday night at the ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena.
The Gulls (35-29-7) break their four-game winless streak, winning for the first time since a 3-2 triumph over the Gwinnett Gladiators on March 27. The Salmon Kings (14-52-5) have now lost four straight and seven of their last eight games, all of which have come on the road.
San Diego drew first blood 9:41 into the opening period on Grady Moore's fifth goal of the season. It happened on a fortunate bounce for the Gulls, as Moore's shot from the right wing circle ricocheted off Victoria defenseman Nathan Forster's skate and behind netminder Jamie McCaig.
Birbraer gave the Gulls a 2-0 lead 11:34 into the second period, converting on a give-and-go play with linemate Darren Clark. After the puck was chipped out to center ice, Birbraer rushed into the Salmon Kings zone two-on-one with Clark. He slipped a pass to Clark open in the slot, received a quick comeback feed and tapped it by a sliding McCaig for his 19th goal of the year.
Victoria had a golden opportunity to get back in the game when it was awarded a five-minute power play at the 13:44 mark of the second. That's when San Diego newcomer Yuri Moscevsky was accessed a major checking-from-behind penalty on Salmon Kings winger Derek Campbell, who immediately left the game with a leg injury.
On the ensuing power play, Chris Corrinet cashed in at 17:57, beating a screened Lajeunesse from the left point for his ninth marker.
The Gulls quickly answered at 18:46 of the second and made it a 3-1 game, as Wes Rypien knocked home his second goal of the season and his professional career. Rypien, who notched his first pro goal Wednesday, barreled to the net and grabbed Brett Draney's centering feed before punching it past McCaig. Birbraer also earned an assist on the play.
Adam Campbell scored Victoria's second power-play goal of the game 11:02 into the third period, cutting the deficit back to one. Jan Sochor took a pass from Mark Smith and dished it across the crease to an open Campbell, who nudged a backhander behind Lajeunesse. It was his third goal of the season.
The Salmon Kings had a couple of good scoring chances later in the period to draw even, but couldn't get anything else past Lajeunesse, who picked up his first win in a Gulls uniform.
Notes: The Gulls are 4-2-0 against Victoria this season... San Diego is 23-8-4 at home and finished 12-21-3 on the road... The Gulls are 29-4-2 this season when scoring three-plus goals in a game, but just 6-25-5 when scoring two or less... They entered the day tied for eighth in the ECHL for the most home wins... Since the all-star break, the Blue and Orange are 9-4-2 at home and 5-13-1 on the road (14-17-3 overall)... Brian Gornick and David Karpa were both sent to the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch... Sean O'Connor and Nick Ganga remain on the injured list... Veteran defenseman Jason Courtemanche signed...
San Diego closes out the season Saturday against the Salmon Kings, with game-time set for 7:05 p.m. It will be Fan Appreciation Night and numerous prizes will be given away throughout the game. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will also receive a Gulls hat, presented by Dynamic Physical Therapy.
Saturday's game can be heard live on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. It can also be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks. Click the B2 Networks link on the home page for more information. To view pictures from this season, visit www.sdgullsphotos.com and www.zerodogentertainment.com.
ECHL Stories from April 9, 2005
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- Bullies Close Out Regular Season With A 3-2 Win Over Chiefs - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Gladiators Knock off Lynx, 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Steelheads announce first round playoff dates and tickets on sale - Idaho Steelheads
- Gladiators dump Lynx in OT despite 64 saves from Kostur - Augusta Lynx
- Gladiators dump Lynx in OT despite 64 saves from Kostur - Augusta Lynx
- Pride's season ends with 5-2 loss - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Lynx finish season with 3-2 loss to Gwinnett - Augusta Lynx
- Condors hosting "Rolling Blackout"for Kelly Cup Playoffs - Bakersfield Condors
- Thrilling End To The Bombers Season In Peoria - Dayton Bombers
- Everblades announce first round playoff schedule - Florida Everblades
- Rivermen Bounced Out of the Playoffs by Toledo 6-3 - Peoria Rivermen
- Johnson named to All-ECHL second team - Augusta Lynx
- Rivermen Win Final ECHL Game 5-4 in a Shootout - Peoria Rivermen
- Reading Makes Several Roster Moves as they Close 2004-05 Regular Season - Reading Royals
- Collins Loaned To Worcester - Johnstown Chiefs
- Garden State Cup Series Lives On - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Gwinnett's Goodjohn Wins ECHL Sportsmanship Award - ECHL
- Keith and Stillman Both Placed On 7 Day IR - Pensacola Ice Pilots
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- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces win 4-2 at Vegas, Clinch National Conference - Alaska Aces
- Playoff-Bound Condors Defeat Idaho 5-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Winding down - Victoria Salmon Kings
- San Diego Looks To Close Out Season On High Note - San Diego Gulls
- Playoff Hopes Diminished by 3-1 Loss - Fresno Falcons
- Wranglers Downed By Aces 4-2 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Ice Pilots Slip Past Sea Wolves 5-4 In Shootout - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Gulls Beat Victoria, 3-2 - San Diego Gulls
- 'Blades let one slip, fall 5-4 in shootout - Florida Everblades
- Snowden tricks Gators again - Louisiana IceGators
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