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AHL San Diego Gulls

San Diego Gulls Fall to Reign 2-0

October 16, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO - The Ontario Reign shutout the San Diego Gulls 2-0 at Valley View Casino Center to take the first of 12 matchups between the two Southern California teams.

Ontario goaltender Jack Campbell posted a 36-save shutout in the Reign's opening game of the season as the two teams faced off for the first time since last season's Pacific Division Final of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Special teams played a major role in the outcome, with the Reign cashing in on two power plays while the Gulls couldn't find an answer for Campbell, going 0-for-6 on the man advantage. Ontario's power play converted two of their six chances, the difference on the night.

T.J. Hensick opened the scoring at 2:58 of the second period with a five-on-three power play goal after he slipped behind the San Diego defense and tipped a Sean Backman pass from the point through Gulls goaltender Matt Hackett. Minutes later on another power play, Ontario's Michael Mersch doubled the Reign's lead to 2-0 at 7:51 with a redirect in front of the net that found its way through Hackett.

Reign defenseman Sean Backman picked up right where he finished last season (21-2455 points in 68 games) with two assists, while right wing Jonny Brodzinski added two assists to his name on night.

The Gulls had two glorious chances to cut the lead in half midway through the third period when right wing Stefan Noesen deflected a Brandon Montour point shot that ricocheted off the cross bar and out of play. Moments later, right wing Stu Bickel nearly broke Campbell's shutout with a redirect that caromed off the post and sat at the side of the net as the Gulls still searched for their first goal of the evening.

San Diego continued to push for a breakthrough when Hackett left the net for an extra attacker, but the Gulls were unable to solve Campbell in what Head Coach Dallas Eakins described as a standout performance from the Reign goaltender.

"I loved our five-on-threes. We had the looks we wanted. We had it open and we just needed to finish it," said Eakins. "That happens so hats off to their goaltender there. He played the best game I have ever seen him play."

The Gulls drop to 1-1-0-0 on the season after Opening Weekend, with the Reign beginning their second-straight campaign with a shutout victory (1-0-0-0).

San Diego is back in action next Saturday, Oct. 22, as they welcome the Texas Stars for the first time since eliminating the Stars three-games-to-one last season following the club's first-ever appearance and postseason series win in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The matchup will see first of four games during the 2016-17 season as the Gulls will host Texas on one other occasion at Valley View Casino Center during the campaign.

Fans can purchase tickets by visiting AXS.com/Gulls or by phone at (619) 359-4730.

Three Stars: 1. Jack Campbell (ONT) 2. Sean Backman (ONT) 3. Brandon Montour (SDG)

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American Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2016


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