AHL San Diego Gulls

Gulls Get Point in Shootout

Published on March 5, 2018 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


The San Diego Gulls have earned standings points in three consecutive games (2-0-0-1) and 11 of the last 13 (10-2-0-1) following a 5-4 shootout loss to the Stockton Heat at Stockton Arena. On the road, San Diego is 11-4-0-1 in its last 16 games.

The last five games San Diego has successfully killed 19 of 20 (95.0%) opposition power plays. Since Jan. 26, the Gulls have killed off 44-of-47 (93.6%) PK opportunities and 55-of-59 (93.2%) since Jan. 17 and 79-of-87 (90.8) since Dec. 31 (23 games).

Kevin Roy recorded his second consecutive multi-point effort in as many games with a goal and assist (1-1=2). Roy pushed his point streak to three games (2-4=6) and has collected 8-17=25 points in his last 24 contests.

Defenseman Andy Welinski is riding a three-game point streak (3-1=4) after scoring his 10th goal of the season and third in the last two games. He also has nine points (4-5=9) in his last eight games and 4-7=11 points in 11 games since returning from the AHL All-Star Classic.

Giovanni Fiore scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season for his third multi-goal game. Fiore leads San Diego rookies in goals and scoring (15-11=26).

Kalle Kossila earned his team-leading 27th assist and 41st point to extend his scoring streak to three games (1-2=3). Kossila has 5-6=11 points his last 10 games.

Jacob Larsson added an assist for his third point the last two games (1-2=3).

Kevin Boyle stopped 40 shots in regulation and overtime, the third game this season he has stopped 40-or-more shots. Despite the setback, Boyle is 6-1-0-1 with one shutout, a 1.98 goals-against average (GAA) and .947 save percentage (SV%) in his last eight starts. Boyle is also 11-3-0-1 in his last 15 appearances, posting one shutout, a 2.17 GAA and .939 SV%.

POSTGAME QUOTES

San Diego Gulls

Giovanni Fiore

On the game

We started out strong. We made a presence at the beginning of the game and then they kind of stepped on us and we were kind of watching the game for a little. It was a tight game at the end, and we came back and battled and we learned a lot tonight, I think.

On the shootout

You kind of have to read the goalie. You can't just put your head down and make a decision. You have to read the goalie and see what he gives you.

On lessons learned from tonight

We have to have a good start every night, and we have to maintain it and keep it up for all 60 minutes. That's the key.

Head Coach Dallas Eakins

On the turning point of the game

As soon as we lost Corey Tropp, it was terrible to lose one of your top three forwards. He is extremely important to us, and then putting us down with a double-minor, we killed the first one and just couldn't get the second one done. When you are up that early in a game, there is so much game left. It's not like you have got a 3-0 lead going into the third period and you can sit on it. There is a lot of game left and it's a dangerous lead to have.

On lessons from tonight

We need starts like that, that's for sure. That's the one thing we went after again and we like that. But we have got to stay out of the box against that team, they have an excellent power play. But I think the greatest lesson is, one that went against us, is that you are never out of a game anymore. The old days of being up two goals and that was it, the way you can play back then, hook and hold and get away with everything, those days are gone. It doesn't matter if you are down three, or down four, you are not out of a game, ever. It's important to realize that.

On former Gulls goaltender Ryan Faragher

I was surprised that he wasn't playing. I thought he played so well against us the last game, I actually spoke to him this morning and told him exactly that. He is a kid who worked extremely hard when he was here. We enjoyed having him and I thought he played an excellent game when he came in.

On the defensive effort

I think we are giving up some higher shot totals than I like, but tonight a lot of their shots came on the power play. I think that's one thing you have always got to watch. In the end, I am less concerned about shots and most concerned about how many 'A' chances we are giving up, and we are not giving up a whole lot of those, So shots from the outside kind of thing, outside those dot lanes, they are not real dangerous.

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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.

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