Gulls Out-Gun Anchorage, 6-4

April 5, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO -- Dean Larson scored a goal in the final game of his career, but the San Diego Gulls were too tough Saturday night. Bruce Watson notched three points while R.J. Enga netted netted a pair, leading the Blue and Orange to a 6-4 victory, before 9,701 at the Sports Arena.

San Diego (44-22-5) stormed out of the gate, opening an early 4-1 lead. Watson got things started with his sixth goal at 4:25 of the first period, tipping home Mike Garrow's shot from the point. David Neale netted his seventh at 7:35, one-timing Sandro Sbrocca's pass behind a stretched out Christian Soucy. Then Enga gave the Gulls a three-goal cushion with his first of the night at 8:24, which - for the time being - chased Soucy. Enter Ryan Person.

Larson cut the margin to 3-1 with his 28th at 11:35, finishing off a two-on-one break with Kimbi Daniels. Enga regained San Diego's three-goal lead with his second of the night - 31st of the season - at 17:50 of the first, beating Person between the hash marks.

Soucy re-entered the game in the second period and held the fort while the Aces (21-46-5) attempted a comeback. Kevin McNeill drew Anchorage within two on a power-play goal at 11:56 - his 17th goal of the season. Exactly two minutes later, Jason Modopoulos made it 4-3, tipping Tim Donnelly's shot past Trevor Koenig for his fourth goal.

With 20 seconds left in the period however, Dean Tiltgen scored on a penalty shot to increase the Gulls' margin to 5-3. As Tiltgen drove toward the net, Anchorage defenseman Ryan Moren threw his stick thus causing the infraction.

Kevin Grant iced the game with a power-play goal 49 seconds into the third period. Koenig played the puck and whipped it to Grant, who skated all the way into the Aces zone and beat Soucy for his sixth tally.

Moren atoned for his second-period penalty with a goal of his own at 6:25. Dave Csumrik fed Moren, who blasted a slap shot into the upper right corner for his sixth goal. But it was too little too late for the Aces, who were silenced the rest of the way.

Notes: Larson ended his career as the WCHL's all-time leader in games played (522), goals (259), assists (525) and points (784). He scored 100+ points in four different seasons... The penalty shot was only the third in Gulls history. They are now 1 for 3... Koenig needs one more win for 100 in his Gulls career. He has a lifetime record of 99-39-11 with the Blue and Orange... Enga now has six career 30-goal seasons... Mark Pederson was named as the 2002-03 West Coast Hockey League Outstanding Forward. He was selected to the All-WCHL team earlier this week... San Diego finished 11-2-1 against the Aces this season... Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears...

The Gulls close out the regular season Sunday against the Long Beach Ice Dogs, with game time set for 5 p.m. It will be the last "McDonald's Night" and one lucky fan will drive away in a 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle. "Skate with the Gulls" will also be held immediately following the game. The Gulls begin the playoffs next weekend in Bakersfield. All games can be heard live on AM1130-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 April 5, 2003


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