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AHL San Diego Gulls

Gulls Use Overtime to Stay Hot at Home

March 3, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


San Diego opened a 13-game March schedule with a 5-4 overtime win against the Ontario Reign at Valley View Casino Center. The win marked the sixth consecutive home victory for San Diego, a season high and tied for the second longest home winning streak in club history (three other times; last: Jan. 7-Feb. 14, 2017. The home win streak is one shy of the franchise record of seven straight from Feb. 24-Mar. 22, 2017. The Gulls improved to 10-2 their last 12 contests (10-2-0-0) and 15-6-0-0 the last 20. San Diego is also 4-1-0-0 in overtime this season and 8-1-0-0 overall following regulation (4-0-0-0 in shootouts).

Jacob Larsson scored his first career overtime-winning goal 1:20 into the extra session. Larsson added an assist on the game-tying goal for his second multi-point effort of the season (Oct. 14 vs. Texas, 0-2=2).

Defenseman Andy Welinski scored his eighth and ninth goals of the season, including the game-tying goal with 3:59 remaining in regulation. Welinski has eight points (3-5=8) in his last seven games and extended his home scoring streak to a career high six straight games (3-6=9).

Sam Carrick extended his season-high point streak to six games (4-5=9) with his 13th goal and 23rd assist of the season. In his last 10 games, Carrick has recorded 14 points (5-9=14) in addition to 6-19=25 points in his last 22 contests.

Kevin Roy tallied his sixth multi-point game of the season with two assists (0-2=2).

Kalle Kossila earned his 40th point of the season with an assist (0-1=1) on Andy Welinski's power-play goal. Kossila has scored 2-4=6 points in his last six games.

Mike Liambas scored his third goal of the season and his first marker since Nov. 17 vs. Tucson. Joe Blandisi earned his 17th assist of the season and Julius Nattinen collected his seventh assist and Nic Kerdiles recorded his 17th helper on the season.

Reto Berra stopped 41 shots en route to his 13th win of the season . At 7:52 of the second period, Berra stopped Sam Herr's penalty shot attempt with the game tied 2-2. The penalty shot attempt was the first against San Diego this season and fourth all-time.

Berra improved to 8-3-0 with a 2.10 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in his last 10 games.

Tonight's attendance was 12,920, a sellout, marking the fifth of the season and ninth total in three seasons.

POSTGAME QUOTES

San Diego Gulls

Jacob Larsson

On his overtime goal

It feels good, I think that we had an okay game but I think we could have been better in some parts, but overall I think it was a solid game. It was nice to get a win.

On rallying in the third to get into overtime

It was big for us to be able to come back after. We had a tough third period when they scored two goals on us in two or three minutes so it was great to get stronger from that and keep going.

On the crowd

It's amazing. The crowd here is always really good so I was really happy to have them here and they were awesome

Andy Welinski

On his game-tying goal

We knew what we were going to get against this team. They are physical and they never quit, so we knew they were going to come and push back and I think that's something we can hang our hat on a little bit too. We are never going to give up. Guys getting in front of the net and screening, a lot of the same things we had been doing all night, and just pucks on net. Luckily enough that one went in.

On the five goals

I think our forwards played a huge part in that. Obviously the first two goals came off from working down low, a couple cycles, and we got breaks to the net. I think keeping the pressure on them caused them to turn over the puck and obviously getting some pucks on net. Just sticking to it and you playing our game no matter what the score.

On the fifth sell out crowd of the season

Tight game like that they kept us going. When there are goals and hits it really is good knowing that there are a lot of people on your back there. It's good. I think it's getting to that time of year where you've got to start preparing for playoffs. You'd like to say that you prepare the whole year but these are teams we are going to play down the stretch here so having a tight game, almost playoff style, with the back and forth, I think it's a good learning piece and it's good to see that we can stay with them all the way through.

Head Coach Dallas Eakins

On the overtime victory

It was certainly a roller-coaster ride there at the end. As always, a hard-fought game with Ontario. They are a very good team, a very well-coached team. It is one of those games, I don't care if we are up by three or four goals, you are never out of a game when you are playing those guys.

On the third period rally

I was super excited about our bench. When a team does that to you and gets two quick goals, a lot of times your bench becomes a little bit deflated. Our guys were up and they were very confident. I think that says a lot about our group right now.

On the offense from the defense

We need that, that's for sure. We can't just count on our forwards to score. We have been really preaching getting our D up in the play. Obviously Andy (Welinski) [shooting] like that, it just really shows off what kind of shot he has. It is a deadly one. Then obviously Larsson being up in the play there in overtime and getting over to the weak side of the net. We have talked about it a lot, and we are able to get to goals there.

On the sellout crowd

It's unbelievable. I know there is such a great party atmosphere up in the crowd. They are excited, they are loud. I just wish they could feel what it feels like to be on the bench and more importantly on the ice. It is just such a huge boost of energy to our players. Even after we went down by a goal, they were all still behind us. It is such a positive influence on our team and I think that's a big component to us coming back tonight.

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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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