Gulls Knock off Idaho 3-2 in Shootout
Published on January 31, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
BOISE, Idaho -- The Idaho Steelheads are the best team in the West Coast Hockey League. They're even better at home, but don't tell that to Steve Martinson's boys. Idaho came into tonight with only one loss at the Bank of America Centre... Make it two.
The San Diego Gulls lost one-goal leads twice, but made their last one stand up, thanks to Trevor Koenig. For the second straight game, Koenig was perfect in a shootout and again led San Diego to a 3-2 victory Friday night, before 4,805 at the B of A Centre. The all-star netminder picked up his 99th career WCHL win and has now stopped 10 straight breakaways in the extra period.
The Gulls (26-13-1) gain a point on the Steelheads, now trailing them by 15 for first place in the WCHL standings. San Diego began the day tied with the Bakersfield Condors for second place.
Idaho (32-10-4) flew out of the gate and skated all over the Gulls, out-shooting them 9-1 in the first half of the opening period. San Diego weathered the storm however, and took a 1-0 lead 15:24 into the first. Mark Pederson hustled to get open at the bottom of the right circle, took a pass from Clayton Read and roofed a shot over Blair Allison for his first of the night.
The Steelheads drew even 3:07 into the second period, taking advantage of a Gulls turnover behind the net. Koenig tried to drop the puck to Jamie Black, but it was taken away. Dampy Brar ended up with the loose puck and fed a wide-open A.J. Begg, who put home his fourth goal.
Pederson notched his second of the night - 20th of the season - less than three minutes later with a blistering slap shot from center ice. Dean Tiltgen found Pederson, whose shot outside the blue line seemed to fool Allison, playing his first game since Dec. 6. Allison missed the last 23 contests with a back injury.
Marty Flichel tied it, 2-2, with his league-leading 27th goal at 18:35 of the second. Dennis Mullen got whistled off for slashing less than a minute earlier and Idaho's WCHL-best power play went to work. Morgan, stationed in front of the net, poked to puck to the left post, where Flichel slammed it in. Brar, along with Morgan, earned his second helper of the night.
Teams skated to a scoreless third period and the game headed to a shootout. In the extra frame, San Diego got goals by Pederson and Sylvain Deschatelets. Koenig stopped all four Idaho shooters. He's now stopped 23 of 28 in shootouts this season - tops in the WCHL.
Notes: Idaho is now 20-1-1 at home this season. San Diego is 2-7-1 over the last three seasons at the Bank of America Centre... The Gulls are 12-11-1 against teams over .500 (Idaho, Bakersfield and Fresno). They're 14-2 against teams with losing records (Long Beach and Anchorage)... San Diego has won 18 of its last 21 games... Koenig needs eight more wins for 100 in his Gulls tenure... Kevin Grant was activated from injured reserve in time for tonight's game... Dennis Purdie was put back on the 14-day IR, retroactive to Tuesday... David Neale missed his third straight game with a hip injury. Samy Nasreddine missed tonight's game with a back injury... Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears...
San Diego's road trip continues in Boise Saturday at 6 p.m. (PST). The Gulls will play in Fresno Tuesday and Wednesday before returning home Feb. 7. All games can be heard live on 1130AM-KSDO 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 January 31, 2003
- Anchorage Pummeled in Bakersfield, 7-1 - Alaska Aces
- Steelheads Lose to Gulls in Shootout, 3-2 - Idaho Steelheads
- Gulls Knock off Idaho 3-2 in Shootout - San Diego Gulls
- Ling Notches 500th ECHL Point in 3-1 Win over Sea Wolves - Dayton Bombers
- Kettles has franchise-best 51 saves as 'Gators top Florida 3-1 - Louisiana IceGators
- Kingfish fall to 'Pilots, 4-3 - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Boardwalk Bullies Down Chiefs, 7-3 - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Bombers Bounce Sea Wolves, 3-1 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Ingraham Joins Steelheads Coaching Staff - Idaho Steelheads
- Royals Awarded 2005 ECHL All-Star Game - Reading Royals
- Grrrowl Complete Trade - Greenville Grrrowl
- Providence Bruins Assign Metcalf and Paradise to Bullies - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Theuer Placed On 7-Day Injured Reserve List - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- K-Wings Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Louisiana game notes vs. Florida - Louisiana IceGators
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