Gulls Fall To Victoria In OT, But Still Clinch Playoff Spot
Published on March 16, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
VICTORIA, British Columbia - Rookie Taggart Desmet will always remember his first professional game. That's because he scored the overtime game-winner and added three assists, leading the Victoria Salmon Kings to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory against the San Diego Gulls Wednesday night at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. San Diego, however, still picks up one point, good enough to clinch a playoff spot.
The Gulls (28-26-6) jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, which chased starting goaltender B.J. Boxma. Rob McVicar entered in relief and stopped all 24 shots he faced. Desmet and Lanny Gare (two goals and one assist), led the comeback for the Salmon Kings (20-34-7), who broke a four-game losing streak.
Kelly Askew gave San Diego a 1-0 lead 3:59 into the game, knocking in a shot off the post for his fourth goal. The Salmon Kings tied it 37 seconds later on Gare's 19th goal, but the Gulls came right back with two more scores in the opening frame.
Mark Wires notched his 12th of the season at the 10:38 mark. Boxma couldn't handle Jonathon Shockey's flip-in from the blue line and Wires hustled to the loose puck and slipped it underneath the Victoria netminder. Wires then setup Steve Hildenbrand's power-play goal at 13:33, as Hildenbrand one-timed home his pass for his 23rd tally of the year. It also sent Boxma to the bench.
McVicar made some key saves throughout the remainder of the first and second periods, keeping the Salmon Kings within striking distance. He was especially tested early in the middle stanza when the Gulls were awarded four straight power plays, one of which was a two-man advantage. McVicar, however, stood strong and kept it a 3-1 game.
That is until his teammates finally rewarded him at 11:38 of the second. Former Gull Jade Galbraith, who began the season in San Diego, drew Victoria back within one with his 14th score after beating newly acquired netminder Michael Mole uncontested. Mole was making his Gulls debut after being acquired from Phoenix Tuesday.
Gare sent the game to overtime when he notched the game-tying goal 11:27 into the third period. After taking a pass from Desmet, Gare whistled a shot over Mole's shoulder for his second goal of the night - 20th of the season. Desmet earned his third assist on the play.
Pierre-Luc Sleigher took a hooking penalty late in the third period that carried into the extra frame. And Victoria capitalized 20 seconds in, as Desmet knocked in a rebound off Steve Lingren's slap shot.
Notes: Desmet's power-play goal was the first San Diego has allowed in the last six games. In the last 26 games San Diego has killed 132 of 145 (91 percent)... The Gulls are 1 for their last 22 on the power play, including a 1-for-5 showing Wednesday... San Diego has qualified for postseason play 10 of its 11 seasons, dating back to 1995... Tyler Weiman was re-called to Lowell of the American Hockey League after Tom Lawson suffered a knee injury Sunday... Mole was acquired from Phoenix in exchange for Shaun Fisher, while rookie Mike Falk was signed Tuesday... Willie O'Ree will be behind the bench serving as a special assistant coach for the three-game series... J.C. Moore, Grady Moore's younger brother, signed as San Diego's emergency back-up goaltender this week...
The Gulls and Salmon Kings continue their series in Victoria Friday and Saturday, with both contests set for 7 p.m. San Diego returns home Friday, March 24 against the Long Beach Ice Dogs. All games can be heard on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. Most games can also be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks. Click the B2 Networks (Watch the Game Live) link on the home page for a list of the upcoming viewable games. To view pictures from this season, visit www.zerodogentertainment.com.
ECHL Stories from March 16, 2006
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- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Falcons Overcome 3-0 Deficit but Suffer Shootout Loss in the End - Fresno Falcons
- Alaska holds off Utah, 4-3 - Alaska Aces
- Desmet and Gare grapple the Gulls - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Ice Dogs Squander Lead, Win In Shootout 4-3 - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Gulls Fall To Victoria In OT, But Still Clinch Playoff Spot - San Diego Gulls
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