Idaho Edges Gulls, 3-1

December 4, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO – It was a close game all the way, but Frank Luke's goal four minutes into the third period gave the Idaho Steelheads a lead they wouldn't relinquish as they went on to defeat the San Diego Gulls 3-1 Friday night, before 4,020 at the Sports Arena.

The Gulls (6-6-2) dominated the first period, firing shot after shot at rookie netminder Frank Doyle. While San Diego dented the scoreboard once in the frame, the Steelheads (11-5-1) weathered the storm and kept the Gulls' offense silent the rest of the way.

San Diego's only goal of the game came on the power play from Max Birbraer 16:43 into the first period. Nikita Korovkin held in an errant Idaho clearing attempt at the blue line and fired a shot that Doyle stopped. Doyle couldn't control the rebound however and Birbraer was right there to knock it home.

The Gulls had plenty of other chances in the opening frame, out-shooting the Steelheads 14-5. But Doyle, who entered the day with the fifth-best goals-against average in the ECHL, held the fort and kept it a one-goal game heading into the second.

Doyle was rewarded for his solid goaltending as his teammates tied the game 4:41 into the middle period. Warren Peters took a drop pass from Bobby Russell and rushed into the San Diego zone. His first shot from the left wing circle was saved by Mathieu Chouinard, but the Idaho forward picked up his own rebound and slipped it just over the goal line.

Mark Pederson had a golden opportunity to regain the Gulls' lead when he was awarded a penalty shot at 6:17 of the second. Pederson beat Doyle on the ensuing breakaway, but his shot clanked off the crossbar. Moments later, Steelheads forward David Morisset had a great chance on Chouinard, but his shot knocked off the post as well.

The game remained deadlocked, 1-1, until Lukes gave Idaho the lead 4:11 into the third period. Lukes nudged the puck into the Gulls' zone and Chouinard went to poke-check it away. The San Diego netminder, however, put it right on the tape of Lukes, who easily tapped it into then net.

San Diego had a couple power plays late in the third, but Brett Draney sealed the Idaho win with an empty-netter at the 18:40 mark.

Notes: The Gulls are now 5-1-1 at home this season and 1-5-1 on the road... In their six wins, San Diego has outscored its opponents 32-13... The Gulls have been outscored 26-9 in their eight losses (which includes an overtime and shootout loss)... The Blue and Orange have out-shot their opponents 148-91 the last four games... San Diego was 8-1-1 against Idaho last season, including a 5-0-0 mark at home... Darren Clark was selected as the Gulls' Player of the Month for November... Sean O'Connor was returned by the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks... Sean Murphy, suffering from a fractured knuckle, was transferred to the 30-day injured list... Scott Borders is expected to be activated from injured reserve Saturday...

The Gulls and Steelheads will square off at the Sports Arena two more times this weekend. Saturday's game is a 7:05 p.m. start and the first 6,000 fans will receive a Gulls baseball cap. Sunday's game, which begins at 5:05 p.m., will be another "Kids Night," featuring "Skate with the Gulls." It will also be the fifth annual "Teddy Bear Toss," presented by The Window Factory. All fans are invited to throw and unwrapped toy onto the ice after the Gulls score their first goal of the game. San Diego will continue its long homestand with three games next week against the Alaska Aces.

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. To view pictures from this season, visit www.sdgullsphotos.com and www.zerodogentertainment.com.



ECHL Stories from December 4, 2004


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