Gulls Trounce Anchorage 8-2
Published on January 18, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO -- Too bad the San Diego Gulls can't play the Anchorage Aces every night. R.J. Enga, Sylvain Deschatelets and Cory Cyrenne combined for 12 points, leading the Blue and Orange to an 8-2 trouncing against the depleted Aces Saturday night at the Sports Arena.
Gulls fans were out of their seats before the game even started, thanks to San Diego patron Willie O'Ree. The Gulls honored O'Ree with a special pre-game ceremony, celebrating his 45th anniversary of breaking the color barrier in the NHL. The crowd of 10,050 gave the former San Diego legend a standing ovation throughout the tribute.
After the arena grew dark and he was introduced, O'Ree skated a lap around the ice wearing the black and gold trim sweater of the Boston Bruins. San Diego owner Ron Hahn presented O'Ree with an old-style Gulls jersey, suiting the No. 58 - commemorating his first NHL game on Jan. 18, 1958. The ceremony concluded with the re-revealing of O'Ree's retired No. 20, which hangs from the Sports Arena rafters.
Once the game started, San Diego (24-12-1), picked up right where they left off last night. The Gulls notched four goals in a 3:25 span in the first period Friday. In the opening frame tonight, they jumped out with three goals in 5:29.
Enga got things started with his first of the night at 6:25. Deschatelets took a feed from Cyrenne and whipped a pass to Enga, who tipped it past a sprawling Ryan Person. Trevor Sherban blasted home his ninth tally at 10:09 on a turn-around slap shot from the top of the slot. Then Deschatelets got into the act, slipping home a backhand at 11:54. Mike McGhan, battling in the corner, dished the puck to Dennis Purdie, who gave it to a wide-open Deschatelets in front of the net. It was his third goal - 11th of the season - in as many games.
The Gulls continued to roll in the second period, netting four more. Sandro Sbrocca buried his fourth at 2:38, finishing off a two-on-one rush with Mike McGhan. Trent Clark tickled the twine five minutes later, scoring his sixth. Clark, while falling to the ice, took a pass from Sbrocca and beat a bewildered Person. Enga struck with his second of the game at 13:55 with a wrist shot from the right circle. Dean Tiltgen capped the second period barrage with his 17th tally at 15:42.
Anchorage (10-28-2) finally got on the board 8:15 through the middle frame. Paul Williams, who missed the first 33 games with a broken wrist, skated into the slot and roofed a shot over the shoulder of Cris Classen. The only other Aces highlight came midway through the third on Eric Landry's third goal.
Enga completed the hat trick - the eighth of his career - just 23 seconds into the third period. It was his 19th goal of the season and eighth point (3g, 5a) in the last two games.
Deschatelets and Cyrenne, along with Enga, finished with four points. Deschatelets has 10 points (2g, 8a) and Cyrenne has eight points (3g, 5a) in San Diego's two wins over Anchorage this weekend.
Game Notes: San Diego has won 16 of its last 18 games... They've outscored Anchorage 41-16 this season and 28-6 during the last four games... San Diego is 28-2-1 all-time against the Aces at the Sports Arena... Ashlee Langdone and Dennis Mullen were suspended tonight because of Friday's third-period altercation... Jason Modopoulos and B.J. Young sat out for Anchorage... Kevin Grant remains on injured reserve... Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the AHL's Hershey Bears...
O'Ree Notes: The Bruins defeated the Canadiens at the Montreal Forum, 3-0, the night O'Ree suited up for his first NHL game... He played 45 career games in the NHL, totaling 14 points (4g, 10a)... O'Ree finished his pro career with 1,022 points (523g, 499a)... He spent eight seasons playing in San Diego: seven with the old Western Hockey League's Gulls and one with the Pacific Hockey League's San Diego Hawks... During his tenure with the Gulls and Hawks, he amassed 368 points (183g, 185a), third most by any player in San Diego professional hockey history... O'Ree was the first player to ever have his number retired at the Sports Arena...
The Gulls now embark on a six-game, three-city road trip, which begins next weekend in Bakersfield. San Diego will play a pair of games against the Condors, Idaho Steelheads and Fresno Falcons before returning home Feb. 7. 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.
ECHL Stories from January 18, 2003
- Condors knock out Long Beach 7-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- Ice Dogs Fall to Condors, 7-2 - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Gulls Trounce Anchorage 8-2 - San Diego Gulls
- Grizzlies Still Can't Beat Admirals - Utah Grizzlies
- Storm Fall in Overtime to Men O'War - Toledo Walleye
- Jackson Shuts-out Kingfish 3-0 - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Florida Skates Past South Carolina, 6-3 - Florida Everblades
- Grrrowl drop 4-3 decision to Columbia - Greenville Grrrowl
- Falcons' Streak Comes to Screeching Halt - Fresno Falcons
- Countdown to Face-off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Bombers Top Storm in OT, 4-3 - Dayton Bombers
- Grrrowl snap 4-game skid with 2-0 win over Men'O War - Greenville Grrrowl
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.
