Gulls Game Preview
November 14, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Two struggling teams trying to turn things around meet for the first of a three-game weekend set Friday night at Sullivan Arena. The San Diego Gulls have lost two straight and seven out of their last nine, dropping to fourth place in the West Coast Hockey League. The Anchorage Aces are coming off a win Nov. 4 at Fresno, ending a seven-game slide. These are the only two teams with records under .500 in the league.
San Diego's latest setback came in a 5-4 loss Tuesday, arguably the most devastating this season. The Blue and Orange got off to great start, taking a 3-1 lead midway through the game. Kevin Haupt scored back-to-back goals, however to tie the game 6:49 into the third period. Then speedster Mike Mathers gave Fresno a 4-3 lead before the Gulls climbed back to tie the contest with three minutes remaining. The game was seemingly heading into a shootout, but a crucial Gulls mistake with a little more than one minute to play led to the game-winning goal. Drew Schoneck and Austin DeLuis snuck behind the San Diego defense and went on a two-on-zero breakaway. DeLuis easily beat Curtis Cruickshank and, just like that, the game was over.
The Gulls come into Friday's game with 11 points, eight behind the first-place Idaho Steelheads. They are, however, only one point out of second place... San Diego has never been under the .500 mark this late into a season... Tuesday's loss broke a string of 44 straight wins when leading after two periods... The Blue and Orange continue to struggle on the power play, having gone 6 for its last 67... The Gulls lead the league, averaging 31.42 shots per game... R.J. Enga is second in the league with 15 points... Dean Tiltgen is third in the WCHL with eight goals...
Anchorage hasn't played since Nov. 4 in Fresno, where they ended a seven-game losing skid. The Falcons broke a scoreless tie midway through the second period with two straight short-handed goals. Fresno ended up carrying a 3-2 lead in the final period, but the Aces rallied with two goals in the third to win 4-3. It was only the 33rd time in 210 games that Anchorage has won when trailing after two periods.
The Aces come into Friday's contest in last place, 15 points behind Idaho. Anchorage is last in the WCHL, scoring 2.36 goals per game and allowing 4.73 goals per game... It's been outscored 23-8 in the first period... The Aces have the worst power play efficiency and second worst penalty killing percentage in the league... They've also given up four short-handed goals... Yvan Corbin leads the WCHL with 16 points and nine goals... Dean Larson, the WCHL all-time points leader, is tied with Enga in points...
San Diego leads the all-time series, posting a 46-12-3 record against Anchorage during the regular season. The Gulls are 21-10-2 at Sullivan arena.
The Gulls continue its weekend series Saturday and Sunday in Anchorage. Saturday's game is at 8 p.m. and Sunday's is at 6 p.m. (PST). San Diego finishes its road trip in Fresno Nov. 19. 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.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from November 14, 2002
- Express Announce Happy Hour Dates - Roanoke Express
- Generals win 2-1 over Trenton - Greensboro Generals
- Team Poster Night this Friday - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Gulls Game Preview - San Diego Gulls
- Valley Recalled, Koci Assigned - Wheeling Nailers
- Nailers Announce Bobble Head Doll Promotion - Wheeling Nailers
- Generals Game Night Notes - Greensboro Generals
- Generals Meet the Team Dinner - Greensboro Generals
- Louisiana game notes at Pensacola - Louisiana IceGators
- Kingfish Waive Schafer, trade another - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Netting to be installed at Centroplex - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Toledo Consummates Trio of Transactions - Toledo Walleye
- Stayzer Traded to Roanoke - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Sea Wolves Battle Kingfish for Coca-Cola Cup - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Kingfish battle Sea Wolves for Coca-Cola Cup - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Royals Unveil Six Pack Ticket Plan - Reading Royals
- Express Acquire Stazyer from Mississippi - Roanoke Express
- All Along the Coast - ECHL
- Ice Dogs Suffer 5-2 Home Loss to Idaho - Long Beach Ice Dogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
