AHL San Diego Gulls

Gulls Earn Point again in OT Loss

Published on March 7, 2018 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


The San Diego Gulls have earned standings points in four consecutive games (2-0-1-1) and 12 of the last 14 (10-2-1-1) after a 2-1 overtime loss to the Cleveland Monsters at Valley View Casino Center. San Diego has also earned points in seven consecutive home games (6-0-1-0), tied for the longest home point streak in club history from Mar. 25-Apr. 7, 2017 (6-0-0-1) and Feb. 20-Mar. 16, 2016 (6-0-1-0).

The last six games San Diego has successfully killed 19 of 20 (95.0%) opposition power plays. Since Jan. 26, the Gulls have killed off 48-of-51 (94.1%) PK opportunities and 59-of-63 (93.7%) since Jan. 17 and 83-of-91 (91.2) since Dec. 31 (24 games).

Gulls head coach Dallas Eakins coached his 500th career AHL game tonight. Under Eakins, the Gulls have compiled a 112-62-9-5 record (.633%) to lead the Western Conference in win percentage the past three seasons. San Diego also leads the Pacific Division in wins and win percentage since its inception in 2015. In 500 AHL games with San Diego and the Toronto Marlies (2009-13) Eakins has earned a 269-176-24-31 record (.593).

Giovanni Fiore scored his 16th goal of the season at 3:45 of the second period, tops among active Gulls skaters. Fiore has scored three goals his last two games (3-0=3). Jacob Larsson recorded his 11th assist of the season to on the play to extend his career high point streak to four games (1-4=5). Mitch Hults also recorded an assist, his 20th of the season and second in as many games.

Reto Berra stopped 32-of-34 shots in the setback. In his last 12 starts Berra has posted an 8-3-1 record with a 2.25 goals-against average and .936 save percentage.

POSTGAME QUOTES

San Diego Gulls

Jaycob Megna

On Cleveland

Well they are really skilled. They've got some smaller forwards who like to create and be creative. They like to make the extra pass in the zone and set up plays so it was a challenge from that standpoint, just getting a read on the way they were playing. It's nice to see a different team now and again.

On moving forward after today's loss

We just have got to be a little sharper and giving up a goal on the power play is not acceptable. We weren't able to capitalize on our own power play tonight. I think the penalty kill did a good job and I think Yogi (Reto Berra) stood on his head and we kind of hung him out to dry, so we just got to be a little bit sharper and go to bat for our goalie a little bit more.

On the confidence in the goaltending

You know they are back there and it is definitely a boost of confidence. They make a couple saves that they shouldn't and keep you in the games so we can get things going offensively.

Giovanni Fiore

On the game

It was a battle. We had a couple chances but we weren't getting the pucks on net tonight so that is something we have to work on.

On his three goals the past two games

Nothing necessarily to point to, just working hard every day, and taking notes and learning every second I can get with the coaching staff and the other guys.

On how to respond this weekend

We have got to pick it up a notch and be ready for the next one and learn from tonight, and just be ready for the next game.

On the positives

We got another point tonight and last game we got a point but we have got to be clutch in those situations and we weren't in those last two games.

Head Coach Dallas Eakins

On the game

Not our best game. I thought our goalie, I thought our defense was very good. I didn't love our forwards.

On moving on to the weekend

We need to get some rest. We have been running some guys fairly hard and we will get that tomorrow. It's habits and playing fast now. (Cleveland) was a quick team. I am very surprised where they are at in the standings with their speed but we need a bigger commitment from some guys that we rely on every night.

On coaching his 500th AHL game tonight

I'm not big on milestones. I think everybody knows by now how I like to go about it. It's about the game tonight and that's it. I would much rather us play better and just get the points.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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