AHL San Diego Gulls

Gulls Rebound with Win at Grand Rapids

Published on January 25, 2020 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


The Gulls defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-1 tonight at Van Andel Arena to complete the weekend back-to-back with three of four possible points. San Diego has earned points in seven of the last eight games (6-1-1-0) and 11 of their last 15 (8-4-2-1).

Anthony Stolarz stopped 38-of-39 shots to pick up his 14th win and fourth his last five starts. He is 4-0-1 in the five games with a 2.35 goals-against average (GAA) and .930 save percentage (SV%). He is also 7-2-1 his last 10 road games with a 2.41 GAA and .932 SV%.

Brent Gates Jr. scored his first career game-winning goal at 13:53 of the third period in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich. The goal maked his fourth of the season and third the last five games (3-0=3). Max Comtois earned the primary assist on the goal, his fifth point the last six games (1-4=5).

Isac Lundestrom recorded his second multi-assist effort of the season with two assists (0-2=2), matching his season high set Nov. 13 vs. San Jose (0-2=2).

Sam Carrick scored his team-leading 18th goal (empty-net goal) at 19:29 of the third period. Carrick has 10 goals his last 12 games (10-5=15, +13) and 17 goals his last 21 games (16-7=23, +22)

Ryan Johnston scored his first goal as a Gull at 6:10 of the second period, his third point his last four games (1-3=4). Lundestrom and Corey Tropp each picked up assists on the goal, with Tropp's point marking the 250th of his AHL career (96-154=250).

San Diego returns to action on Friday, Jan. 31 vs. the San Jose Barracuda at Pechanga Arena San Diego (7 p.m.) following the AHL's All-Star break. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz and defenseman Chris Wideman will represent San Diego at the AHL All-Star Classic on Sunday and Monday, Jan. 26-27 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif.

POSTGAME QUOTES

San Diego Gulls

Brent Gates Jr.

On his game-winning goal

You couldn't have drawn it up any better. It was kind of a weird game honestly. We didn't have a ton of shots. We kind of just weathered their storm. Overall it was just a weird game for us, but then to come out in the third and get a nice pass from [Max Comtois] and to be able to put it in for the game-winner, and here. That's was surreal and something I'll never forget.

On scoring in his hometown

I kind of blacked out a little bit honestly. I scored the goal and couldn't really believe it honestly. Once I got back to the bench, I took a minute. It was really cool. I realized it might end up being the game-winner and that makes it even sweeter. It was a hard-fought win by the whole team tonight. They did a great job holding on to that lead at the end and sealing it with the empty netter.

On dressing for the game

I was really hoping to get into one. I came here with the mindset to enjoy the city, family and friends, and hopefully get in a game and just take it all in. I accomplished all that and an added bonus, I got to score a goal. It was an unbelievable weekend and an unbelievable trip. I had a lot of fun.

On entering the All-Star Break with a win

We have a lot of momentum, getting three points on the road this weekend. That's huge going into the week. We have a week off and we'll look to continue to keep it rolling when we come back and keep that momentum going.

Anthony Stolarz

On facing 38 shots

I tried to control the first shot and not give Grand Rapids any rebounds. They have a big team up front. Their guys battle for positioning in front and I didn't want to make it any tougher on our defensemen.

On the win

Any time going into a break, you always want to go out on a positive note. For us to battle and come out with three-of-four points this weekend on the road, in a very tough environment, I think it's a good way to go on the break.

On the three-point weekend

It's huge. Going into it, obviously it's not a four-point game. At the same time, you look at it, teams in our division are playing each other so someone is going to win and someone is going to lose. For us to pick up some points this weekend and maybe gain some ground on someone, it's huge for us. We're going to have to start putting together a couple streaks of wins here and get ourselves up in the standings.

On Brent Gates Jr.

It's definitely special for him. Giving him the solo lap for warmups was I'm sure pretty cool for him, but he's worked hard for us and he never quits. He has a great attitude and I'm happy that he got that game-winner tonight.

On entering the All-Star Break with a win

It's huge. It kind of takes the stress off a little bit and we can relax, enjoy the festivities and have some fun. We can catch up with some guys who we've played against and played with over the years, so I'm excited for that.

Head Coach Kevin Dineen

On entering the All-Star Break with a win

We were talking about that, how the Ducks finished up before the All-Star break. They had two wins and what a nice way to go into a break. We went in and talked to the players after and told them, we already teased each other amongst the staff that we can't wait not to see each other for the next couple of days. We spend a lot of time and work hard together. It was a good emotional win tonight, a good road win. Let's not kid ourselves, our goalie is lights out and a huge difference maker for us.

On Anthony Stolarz

Stolarz is our No. 1 goalie. We're in a situation where we need points right now. We're battling our way and looking to get into a playoff spot. We have hard lineup decisions every day. We had 29 bodies here the other day and there's only 20 spots in the lineup. Every day there are tough decisions to be made and you love it when players make it hard on you what decisions you're going to make. Stolarz really made a statement that he wants the net and tonight was a great example of that.

On Brent Gates Jr.

You couldn't be happier. There was so much special teams and we used him there at the end on the specials teams, but the ice time was a little fractured. What you like to see is when a guy isn't getting on the ice a lot, that he's engaged in the game. You can see that and sense it on the bench. Gates didn't just have a big goal tonight, but over his last three or four games, I think he's making a statement that he really wants to be in the lineup and be a difference maker.

On the three-point weekend

We had a nice little five-game run and then it felt like we had a decent game against Tucson there. Last night we got a point, we didn't like our effort tonight. Again, our goalie was huge for us. He was a real difference maker. We just need a little stability in our lineup. We want to be a team that can roll four lines and just keep on churning things out. Good things will follow so that's something for us in another five days. We get to go enjoy our time away.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2020


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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