Gulls Fall In Victoria, 5-2
February 23, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
VICTORIA, British Columbia ââ Before Tuesday night, the Victoria Salmon Kings last won a game in regulation on Dec. 20 â against the San Diego Gulls. More than two months later they picked up another one at the hands of the Gulls, with a 5-2 triumph at the Bear Mountain Arena.
San Diego (26-19-6) have now lost five of its last six on the road and remain fifth in the West Division, six points behind the Fresno Falcons for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division. The Salmon Kings (10-36-5) pick up just their third win (two of which came in a shootout) in their last 28 games.
Victoria lit the lamp first 3:39 into the opening period on Jason Hegberg's first goal of the night. After cutting to the left wing corner, Hegberg flung a shot that hit the side of the net, bounced off San Diego goaltender Eddy Ferhi and barely crossed the goal line.
San Diego tied it at the 14:35 mark of the first on a power-play goal by Guillaume Fournier. It happened on a nice give-and-go play with Brian Gornick, as Fournier dished it to his linemate out of the left corner, received a quick come-back pass and beat Salmon Kings netminder Dan Blackburn for his 13th tally of the year. Sylvain Deschatelets, who notched four assists Saturday, garnered the second helper.
Curtis Brown gave the Gulls a 2-1 lead 3:28 into the second period, redirecting in Jonathon Shockey's slap shot from the blue line. Brown started the play when he won an end zone faceoff back to Shockey, standing at the right point. It was his ninth goal of the season and seventh point in the last five games.
The Salmon Kings, however, quickly erased the deficit and gained a 4-2 advantage with three straight goals in a 5:27 span. Seth Leonard started the barrage at 6:31 of the second period with his 11th goal. Team-leading scorer Ryan Wade pried the puck loose and found a cutting Leonard, who drilled it past Ferhi.
Nathan Forster knocked in his fifth of the year at 8:55, converting on a rebound off Wade's initial shot. Then Hegberg came calling again with a power-play marker at 11:58, notching his second of the night â seventh of the season. Similar to his first goal, Hegberg again scored from a tough angle, this time coming from the bottom of the left wing circle.
The Gulls had a few power play chances in the third period, including a short two-man advantage, but couldn't put a dent in the Victoria lead. Blackburn spearheaded the defensive effort, turning aside shot after shot. The former New York Rangers goaltender finished with 36 saves en route to his third win of the season.
Corey Smith put the game away at the 14:01 mark of the third with his third goal of the season, two of which have come against the Gulls. After taking a pass from Leonard, Smith skated to the right wing circle and backhanded a shot that beat Ferhi five-hole.
Notes: San Diego is 20-2-1 when scoring four-plus goals in a game, but just 6-17-5 when scoring three or less... The Gulls are 5-8-2 in their last 15 games and have been outscored 43-32 in their last 14 games... They are 9-14-3 on the road and 17-5-3 at home... San Diego has been out-shot in nine of its last 14 games... Grady Moore was placed on the injured list after sustaining a concussion Saturday against Bakersfield... He joins Mike Garrow (concussion), Evgueni Nourislamov (broken thumb) and Wes Rypien (knee sprain)... Andrew Canzanello remains with the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...
The Gulls continue their road trip Wednesday in Victoria, with game-time set for 7 p.m. San Diego closes out the quick three-game trip Friday in Bakersfield before hosting the Idaho Steelheads Sunday at 5:05 p.m. It will be Sharp Healthcare and another Kids Night, featuring "Skate with the Gulls" immediately following the game.
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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