Gulls Lose to Falcons, 5-4
November 13, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO -- Austin DeLuis scored the game-winning goal nearing the final minute of play, leading the Fresno Falcons to a 5-4 victory over the struggling San Diego Gulls Tuesday night at the San Diego Sports Arena. The loss pushes the Gulls (5-6-1) under 500, their worst start in club history.
Despite leading most of the game, the Gulls couldn't survive the swooping Falcon attack by De Luis, Kris Porter, Mike Mathers and Drew Schoneck, all who earned three points in the game as well as the stellar play of defenseman Kevin Haupt, who scored two goals.
The Gulls jumped to a quick lead with a goal by team points leader R.J. Enga, a shot that beat Fresno goalie Terry Friesen top shelf. Mark Pederson and Samy Nasreddine assisted on the goal at 1:46 of the first period.
Fresno spoiled the party by answering back a minute later with a power-play goal by forward Mathers, assisted by Schoneck.
Then, with veteran Gull Jamie Black in the penalty box, Gulls winger Dean Tiltgen intercepted a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated to an unassisted short-handed goal between Friesen's pads to put the Gulls up 2-1 at 10:47. Tiltgen then struck again, scoring his second goal of the game at 8:44 of the second period with Sylvain Deschatelets and Trevor Sherban assisting. The point put the Gulls ahead by two but the party was short lived.
Haupt scored the Falcon's second goal at 11:17 of the second period, beating Gulls goaltender Curtis Cruickshank assisted by Porter and DeLuis. This was Cruickshank's first game as a Gull.
The Falcons evened the score at 6:49 of the third period on Haupt's second of the game. Then, Fresno's Mathers scored at 11:12 of the third period, putting the Falcons ahead for the first time in the contest. The power-play goal was assisted by Schoneck and Kayle Short.
The Gulls rebounded back to even the score at 17:00 of the third period when Deschatelets beat Friesen glove-side, with assistance from Clayton Read and Mike Garrow. But the Gull's defense folded by allowing a two-on-zero that resulted in the game winner by DeLuis at 18:49.
Notes: The Gulls could not score on five power play chances. They are six for their last 67 chances overall... Dennis Mullen sat out tonight's game, serving the second of a two-game suspension for his knee-on-knee hit on Bakersfield's Jason Jackman Nov. 2... Cruickshank and rookie defenseman Michael Lanthier signed with the Gulls today... Gulls defenseman Clint Cabana is officially lost for the season with a separated shoulder... Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears...
San Diego now embarks on a four-game road trip, playing three games this weekend in Anchorage and one in Fresno on Tuesday, Nov. 19 before returning home to face off against the Fresno Falcons Tuesday, Nov. 26. 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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