Gulls Fly Higher Than Condors, Win 2-1

December 15, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO -- With a hard fought battle resulting in a win at home Sunday night against Bakersfield, the San Diego Gulls are showing their strong presence in the West Coast Hockey League, sweeping the league during their five game winning streak. Consecutive wins against Idaho, Long Beach, Anchorage, Fresno and Bakersfield in just one week have shown a stronger, faster, harder-hitting Gulls team, a force to reckon with on their path towards a fifth and final Taylor Cup championship. San Diego (13-10-1) now sits comfortably in third place, four points behind second-place Bakersfield (14-7-3).

Rookie winger Trent Clark put the Gulls on the scoreboard first with a beautiful goal that beat Bakersfield goalie Fredrik Jensen high on his glove side. Gull's defenseman Trevor Sherban had attempted to clear the defensive zone but teammate David Neale caught the puck in the air and passed it to Clark who skated through the neutral zone and took the scoring snapshot from the high slot. The goal came on the Gull's second shot at 12:38 of the first period.

Mark Pederson, coming off a hat trick performance last night, had a chance to put the Gulls ahead by two in the first period on the power play with a rush toward net that resulted in a high shot clinking off the post.

San Diego's Sylvain Deschatelets and David Bell exchanged pleasantries late in the first period. The altercation resulted in a pair of fighting penalties plus a two-minute instigation penalty and a ten-minute game-misconduct for Deschatelets.

Bakersfield team points leader and team captain Paul Willett notched the Condor's first goal at 6:51 of the second period, a rebound shot after a scramble in front of Gull's goaltender Trevor Koenig. Paul Rosebush and Guy Dupuis earned the assists. Clayton Read earned the game winning goal, a deflection off Mark Pederson's shot that soared high over Jensen's glove to find the back of the net. Pederson and Dean Tiltgen earned assists on the goal that put the Gulls back on top at 18:35 of the second period.

Despite being outshot 35-26, the Gulls stellar defense and Koenig's outstanding netminding held the Condors scoreless through the third period and resulted in the win.

Notes: Mark Pederson has ten points in his last five games (5g, 5a)... Jamie Black is still on injured reserve with a hairline ankle facture... Dennis Purdie missed his fourth straight game with a separated shoulder... Dennis Mullen didn't play because of a hip injury... Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears... San Diego plays 9 of its next 13 games at home...

The Gulls now hit the road to play two games in Anchorage next weekend. After one game in Long Beach Friday, December 27th, the Gulls return home to the Sports Arena to face the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday, December 28th. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. The game will feature Jamie Black player beanies and will conclude with the Make-A-Wish jersey presentation. All games can be heard live on 1130AM-KSDO and at www.ksdo.com 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.



ECHL Stories from December 15, 2002


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