Gulls Game Preview
December 20, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The red-hot San Diego Gulls look to extend their season-high five-game winning streak tonight when they face off against the Anchorage Aces.
San Diego is coming off a week where they beat every West Coast Hockey League team. Those five wins have moved the Blue and Orange back into a playoff position, now only four points out of second place.
The biggest reason for the turn-around is the production from the Gulls' big guns. Mark Pederson, reigning WCHL Player of the Week, has 10 points (5g, 5a) in the last five games. He now ranks seventh in the league with 25 points and third with 13 goals. Pederson has also scored a league high nine power-play goals.
Trevor Koenig continues to be solid between the pipes and was named Goaltender of the Week on Tuesday. (It's the second time Koenig has received the award this season.) Over his last four games, Koenig is 4-0 with a 1.50 goals against average and .946 save percentage. He ranks second in the league with 12 wins. He's been the workhorse in the WCHL, leading all netminders in appearances and minutes played.
Anchorage comes into tonight having won five of its last six games. Four of those wins have come against the Bakersfield Condors and three have come in shootouts. With their run, the Aces have crept to within three points of playoff spot, trailing the fourth-place Long Beach Ice Dogs. WCHL all-time points leader Dean Larson continues to lead the attack. He ranks second in the league with 32 points and is tied for first with 14 goals. He now has 732 career WCHL points, 145 more than anyone else.
The Aces continue to struggle with their special teams however, last in power play and fifth in penalty killing percentages. Anchorage does have four short-handed goals to its credit, but has given up five. The Aces also give up the most goals per game (4.04), while allowing the most shots against (34.44).
The Gulls are 3-1-0 against the Aces this season, including a 6-3 win Friday, Dec. 13 in San Diego. The Blue and Orange have dominated the all-time series match-up, posting a 49-13-3 regular season record.
San Diego finishes its weekend series in Anchorage Saturday, with game time set for 8 p.m. (PST). The Gulls travel to Long Beach Friday, Dec. 27 before opening a season-long seven-game homestand. 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.
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