Gulls Eliminated After Falling To Idaho, 3-1

March 31, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


BOISE, Idaho – Tim Verbeek, Warren Peters supplied the offense and goaltender Frank Doyle stopped 23 of 24 shots, leading the Idaho Steelheads to a 3-1 win against the San Diego Gulls Wednesday night at the Bank of America Centre. The loss officially eliminates San Diego from the 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Gulls (34-27-6) have five regular season games left and the most points they could finish with is 84. They no longer have a chance to catch Idaho, which occupies the fourth and final playoff spot in the division. With the win, the Steelheads (39-21-7) now have 85 points, three more than the fifth-place Fresno Falcons and one less than the Long Beach Ice Dogs and Bakersfield Condors, tied for second in the West Division.

Idaho is now unbeaten in its last 15 games (11-0-4) and 22 of its last 23 games overall (18-1-4). Its last loss in regulation came against San Diego Feb. 27 at the ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena.

Verbeek gave the Steelheads an early 1-0 lead 7:52 into the first period with his fourth goal of the season. Mike Stutzel had the puck at the left point after receiving a pass from Jonathan Zion and floated a wrister toward Eddy Ferhi. The San Diego netminder didn't have a chance to stop the shot, however, as Verbeek was right there to nicely deflect it into the net's top corner.

It stayed a one-goal game until Idaho opened a 2-0 cushion at the 16:56 mark of the second period. Peters got the tally, wrapping around the Gulls' net before chipping home a backhander from the left wing circle. It was his 19th goal of the year. Zion, who also assisted on Verbeek's first-period tally, earned his second helper on the play.

San Diego's offense meanwhile was held quiet through the first two periods. Its best chance came on a Steelheads turnover late in the middle frame, as Doyle erroneously gave the puck away to Gulls forward Curtis Brown behind the net. Brown then sent a quick centering pass to Brian Gornick, who had an empty net to shoot at with Doyle caught out-of-position. Gornick's shot, however, went wide and former Steelhead Brett Draney's follow-up bid knocked off the post.

The Gulls finally solved Doyle 17:12 into the third period on Brett Draney's 18th goal of the season, two of which have come with San Diego. David Karpa held the puck in at the point and dumped a shot back on net, where Draney grabbed possession and slipped it past Doyle. Idaho leading scorer Russell, however, sealed the victory at the 18:06 mark, notching his 25th marker of the season.

Notes: This will be the first time the Gulls have failed to qualify for the playoffs. They have made the postseason all other nine years of existence... The Gulls are 3-2-0 against Idaho this season, with three head-to-head games remaining... San Diego is 22-8-3 at home and 12-19-3 on the road... The Gulls are 28-4-2 this season when scoring three-plus goals in a game, but just 6-23-4 when scoring two or less... Since the all-star break, they are 8-4-1 at home and 5-11-1 on the road (13-15-2 overall)... Sean O'Connor, out with a sprained knee was placed on the injured list Sunday. He will miss both Friday and Saturday's games as well... Nick Ganga (knee) remains on the injured list, but should be activated for Friday's game... Joel Stepp was recalled to the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...

San Diego's next three games are also against the Steelheads. Friday and Saturday's contests will be in Boise, with both games beginning at 6:05 p.m. (PST). The two will square off again in San Diego Wednesday, April 6 at 7:05 p.m. (PDT). It will be the last "Wacky Wednesday" of the season, featuring "Pooch Party III." All fans are invited to bring their dogs to the game!!!

All games can be heard live on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. All remaining games can also 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 March 31, 2005


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