Gulls return for first home win of the season

November 14, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO -- After playing eight of their first nine games on the road, the San Diego Gulls returned to the ipayOne Center on Sunday - and promptly picked up their first home win of the season. The Gulls now can look forward to hosting eight of their next 10 contests at the ipayOne Center in hopes of gaining some ground in the Pacific Division standings. For the week, San Diego picked up three points to move back into a tie for third place in the division after spending some time in fourth place.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Nov. 12 @ Fresno: San Diego lost a seesaw battle against the Pacific Division-leading Falcons, 4-3 in a shootout. John Wroblewski's goal in the ninth round of the shootout broke Fresno's two-game losing streak. Despite the setback, the Gulls picked up at least one point for the third straight game. After a scoreless first period, San Diego took a 2-1 lead in the second period on scores by Pierre-Luc Sleigher and Martin Mandeville. Fresno responded to go ahead 3-2 midway through the final frame, but Jesse Bennefield tied it with 9:13 remaining to force overtime - and eventually the shootout. San Diego notched a pair of power-play goals, and Guillaume Fournier tallied two assists. Sleigher also added an assist.

Nov. 13 vs. Phoenix:

Phoenix shut out San Diego on the power play, but the Gulls found a way to win anyway, 2-1, for their first home win of the season. San Diego spent nearly a full period with the man advantage (17:11), including four separate two-man advantages, but still couldn't score on 13 total opportunities. As it turned out, the Gulls didn't need to after starting goaltender Tom Lawson stopped 20 shots. Jesse Bennefield and Guillaume Fournier scored San Diego's goals - both in the second period - to give the Gulls a 2-1 lead entering the final period. San Diego out-shot the Roadrunners 36-21 for its first-ever win over Phoenix after the Roadrunners won the previous two meetings on Oct. 28 and 29.

Individual Notes:

The "French Fry" line of Guillaume Fournier, Pierre-Luc Sleigher and Martin Mandeville have combined for 12 points (7g, 5a) in the last four games... Fournier has a four-game point streak (3g, 2a)... Forward Frantisek Skladany was recalled to Lowell of the AHL on Monday... On Saturday, defenseman Tomas Slovak also was sent to Lowell, while forward Cody McLeod was reassigned to the Gulls on Thursday.

Team Notes:

The Gulls, who went 0 for 13 on the power play Sunday, have scored six power-play goals in the last four games but have allowed eight power-play markers in that span (and 15 in the last seven games)... San Diego is still last in the ECHL in penalty killing (71.9 percent) despite not giving up a power-play goal to Phoenix on Sunday... The Gulls are tied for 21st on the power play (11.0 percent)... Eight of their next 10 games will be at home...

The Gulls play in Bakersfield at 7 p.m. Thursday before hosting the Condors on Friday at the ipayOne Center, with game-time slated for 7:35 p.m. It will be the first "Free Food Friday," as the first 3,500 in attendance will get a free hot dog, in cooperation with Aramark. San Diego goes right back on the road Saturday to take on the Fresno Falcons at 7 p.m.

All games can be heard on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. Most games can also be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks (All three upcoming games CAN BE VIEWED). Click the B2 Networks (Watch the Game Live) link on the home page for a list of the upcoming telecasted games. To view pictures from this season, visit www.zerodogentertainment.com.



ECHL Stories from November 14, 2005


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