Gulls Fall To Idaho, 4-3

Published on March 29, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


BOISE, Idaho -- It was a back-and-forth type game but the Idaho Steelheads, led by Adam Copeland's two goals, came out 4-3 winners over the San Diego Gulls, before 5,303 at the Bank of America Centre Saturday night.

For the Gulls (42-21-5), they gain a series split in Boise - three of a possible six points - but could still lose ground in the race for the second seed in the West Coast Hockey League. If Bakersfield can hold on to its lead over the Fresno Falcons, the Gulls and Condors will be tied with 89 points apiece. San Diego, however, has four games remaining to Bakersfield's three.

Idaho (51-14-4) drew first blood on a power-play goal by Joe Rybar - his team-leading 26th tally of the season - with just 15 seconds left in the first period. Marty Flichel took the puck from newcomer Ben Ondrus and blasted a slap shot that Rybar tipped between Trevor Koenig's pads.

San Diego scored two goals in the first half of the second period to take a 2-1 lead. Miguel Delisle tied the game at 4:28 with his first professional goal. Clayton Read fed the right wing boards to Delisle, who fired a shot that trickled past Jason Cugnet. Then R. J. Enga put home his 28th at 8:47, as he gained a step on the Idaho defense and roofed a shot over Cugnet.

The Gulls lead was short-lived as the Steelheads answered nine seconds later to even the score, 2-2. Copeland stole the puck from the San Diego defense, skated in all alone, deked past Koenig and easily put in his first of the night.

Scott Burt regained Idaho's one-goal lead, finishing off a shorthanded two-on-one-rush at 12:48 of the second. Ben Keup blocked a shot in the Gulls zone, hustled down the ice and dished a pass to Burt, who tapped in his 12th marker.

The seesaw battle continued, as Bruce Watson tied it, 3-3, on a power-play goal with just 30 seconds left in the middle frame. Trevor Sherban flung the puck to Mike Garrow, whose slap shot from the point was tipped in by Watson for his sixth goal.

Copeland's second of the game - 19th of the season - 1:55 into the third period put the Steelheads up for good. Coming out from the side of the net, Copeland went to his backhand, skated around Koenig and slid in the game-winning tally.

Notes: The Gulls still have more wins than the Condors, the tiebreaker if both teams finish with the same amount of points... Koenig is still three wins away from 100 in his Gulls career... Dean Tiltgen had his six-game point streak snapped tonight... If the Steelheads win their final three games, they will break the WCHL record for most wins in one season... That would also set the all-time single-season high with 112 points... Mark Pederson was placed on the 14-day injured list Friday, which will keep him out the remainder of the regular season... San Diego is now 25-7-1 with Kevin Grant in the lineup... Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears

San Diego finishes its road trip Wednesday in Long Beach, with game time set for 7 p.m. The Gulls return home next weekend to close out their regular season. All games can be heard live on AM1130-KSDO with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. The Gulls' Internet radio show broadcasts live every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on wsradio.com with Tera Black and Jeremy Zager hosting.

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