Hildenbrand's overtime goal give Gulls 4-3 win

November 18, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Steve Hildenbrand scored a power-play goal with 29.7 seconds left in overtime, lifting the San Diego Gulls to a 4-3 win over the Bakersfield Condors Thursday night at the Rabobank Arena. The win extends San Diego's unbeaten streak to five games (3-0-2).

One game after going 0-for-13 with the man advantage, the Gulls' power play came back to life with three goals. Hildenbrand netted two power-play markers and Guillaume Fournier notched three assists for San Diego (4-5-2), now one point ahead of the Condors (3-4-3) for third place in the Pacific Division.

San Diego grabbed an early 1-0 lead 3:13 into the first period, thanks once again to the "French Fries" line. That of course is the French Canadian trio of Fournier, Martin Mandeville and Pierre-Luc Sleigher. Mandeville got the goal, his third of the season, beating Bakersfield goaltender Ryan Munce from the left circle. Fournier and Sleigher earned assists on the play.

Hildenbrand gave the Gulls a 2-0 lead with a power-play goal 7:06 into the second. After receiving setup passes from Fournier and Grady Moore, Hildenbrand trickled a shot past Munce, again coming from the left circle. It was Hildenbrand's fourth goal and it was only the second time this season that the Gulls had a two-goal lead.

But that two-goal cushion was wiped out, as the Condors netted two goals later in the middle frame to make it a 2-2 game. Former Gull Kevin St. Jacques struck first at 11:07, converting a two-on-one rush with another former Gull Scott Borders for his fourth marker of the year.

Dennis Shiryaev struck next seven minutes later, beating San Diego netminder Tom Lawson, making his third straight start. Bakersfield was cycling the puck all over the Gulls zone, before Shiryaev finally got control and tied the game with his first marker of the season.

Nikita Korovkin regained the lead for San Diego with another power-play goal at the 19:19 mark of the second, recording his first tally of the year (and only the second scored this season by a Gulls defenseman). After a wild scramble in front of Munce, Korovkin grabbed hold of the puck and put it home. Fournier earned the lone assist on the play, his third of the game.

Mike Hofstrand re-tied it 12:51 into the third period with a short-handed marker. Scott Basiuk, the club leader in assists, carried the puck into the Gulls zone and found a streaking Hofstrand, who redirected it by an out-stretched Lawson. It was Hofstrand's third goal, the same amount of short-handers San Diego has now allowed.

Hildenbrand's overtime winner came at the 4:30 mark of overtime after redirecting Moore's wrist shot from the blue line. It was his second tally of the game - fifth of the season.

Notes: Fournier is now riding a five-game point streak (3g, 5a)... The "French Fries" line of Fournier, Sleigher and Mandeville has combined for 17 points (7g, 10a) in the last five games... David Svagrovsky was activated from the injured list, after missing the last four games with a sore back... Jesse Bennefield was placed on the seven-day injured list Thursday (shoulder)... Frantisek Skladany was recalled to the American Hockey League's Lowell Lock Monsters... Tomas Slovak was recalled to Lowell Saturday... Rookie goaltender Aaron McKenzie was transferred to the 30-day injured list...

The Gulls and Condors meet again Friday in San Diego, with game-time slated for 7:35 p.m. It will be the first "Free Food Friday" and 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 (Both 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 18, 2005


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.

OurSports Central