Sports stats



Gulls Top Florida, 6-2

November 5, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Gulls got out-shot, out-chanced and arguably out-played, but still came away with a 6-2 victory against the Florida Everblades Thursday night, before 4,068 at the Sports Arena. The win was the Gulls' third straight and moved them into sole possession of first place in the West Division.

Florida out-shot the Gulls 46-21, but when you have Trevor Koenig in net, sometimes the shot margin doesn't matter. That was the case Thursday as the San Diego netminder took matters into his own hands... and glove... and blocker.

Meanwhile, the Gulls' offense was very opportunistic and timely. They registered a season low in shots, but still managed to light the lamp six times, three of which came in the game's first 11:21.

Getting off to a quick start has been a bug-a-boo for the Gulls (4-2-1) so far this season, having allowed the game's first goal in the previous four straight contests. They turned things around Thursday, however, scoring three times in the opening frame.

Guillaume Fournier got things started with his fourth goal just 1:01 into the game, taking advantage of a lucky bounce off the boards. Florida (3-3-0) had control of the puck, but a pass took a funny hop and caromed right to a wide-open Fournier, who slapped it past Craig Kowalski.

Brian Gornick hit the scoreboard next with a power-play goal at 2:49. Teams were battling for possession in the right wing corner, but the puck eventually squirted loose to the faceoff circle. That's where Gornick hopped on it and roofed a wrister over the outstretched glove of Kowalski.

The Gulls took a commanding 3-0 lead at the 11:21 mark, as Scott Borders notched his first goal of the year. Evgueni Nourislamov fed Borders streaking down the left wing and the San Diego rugged forward finished the play off, sliding in a shot five-hole on Kowalski.

Florida put a dent in the lead at 14:17 of the first on David Lundbohm's first goal of the season. Matt Hendricks got the original shot from the point that Koenig saved, but Lundbohm picked up the rebound and back-handed it home.

San Diego regained its three-goal lead 14:29 into the second on rookie defenseman Nikita Korovkin's third goal of the season – his second in as many nights. Andrew Canzanello and Mark Pederson traded shots that Kowalski saved, but Korovkin snuck in from the point and jammed home the rebound. That would end Kowalski's night, as he was relieved by Rob Zepp.

Though trailing, the Everblades controlled the flow of the game throughout the first two periods. They out-shot San Diego 16-6 in the first period and the trend continued in the second as they out-shot the Gulls 17-8. Koenig was more than equal to the task however, frustrating the Florida shooters left and right.

The Everblades found a kink in Koenig's armor 6:24 into the third period as Hendricks netted a power-play goal, but the Gulls answered back with two more markers to put the nail in the coffin.

Mark Pederson notched his first of the season at 10:30, knocking one in from the high slot. Then Mike Garrow made it 6-2 at 13:07, blasting a one-timer from the blue line past Zepp. Darren Clark and Billy Tibbetts earned assists on both goals, extending their point streaks to six games.

Notes: Pederson didn't go more than four games without scoring a goal last season... Clark has 10 points (4g, 6a) and Tibbetts has nine points (4g, 5a) during their streaks... The Gulls have killed 30 of their last 32 penalties... San Diego was 4-3-5 against teams outside its division last season... Mathieu Chouinard, who suffered a groin injury Wednesday night, was placed on the seven-day injured list. He joins Sylvain Deschatelets, still recovering from off-season wrist surgery... Colin Shields, who hasn't played yet this season, is awaiting the completion of his immigration paperwork... Sean O'Connor remains with the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...

The Gulls return to action Saturday in Bakersfield where they'll take on the first-place Condors. Game-time from Centennial Garden is set for 7 p.m. San Diego will then have a week off before playing in Bakersfield again Saturday, Nov. 13. All games can be heard live on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. All home games and many road games can be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks. Click the B2 Networks link on the home page for a list of the upcoming telecasted games.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from November 5, 2004


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.

Other Recent San Diego Gulls Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central