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San Diego On Cruise Control, But Traffic Still Ahead

February 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO -- Life without Trevor Koenig figured to be a rough ride for the San Diego Gulls, but don't tell that to Cris Classen. San Diego's back-up netminder is 4-0 since Koenig went down with a knee injury, lifting the Gulls back into sole possession of second place in the West Coast Hockey League.

The Gulls (31-15-3) now have 65 points, two ahead of the third-place Bakersfield Condors. Second place is probably the highest the Blue and Orange will go as they trail the front-running Idaho Steelheads by 17 points.

Mark Pederson most likely notched Player of the Week honors with his performance last week. All San Diego's leading scorer did in four games was net 11 points (8g, 3a), which included two hat tricks. Pederson tied a Gulls record with four goals against the Anchorage Aces on Tuesday. After being shutout Wednesday in Bakersfield, he came back with another hat trick Friday and a three-point game on Saturday. Pederson is now sixth in the WCHL with 56 points and second with 31 goals.

NOTES: San Diego is 17-2-0 against Anchorage and Long Beach this season... The Gulls are 14-13-3 against Idaho, Bakersfield and Fresno (the playoff teams)... Classen is 8-1-0 this year and 22-5-1 in his Gulls career...

TRANSACTIONS: Koenig's status is day-to-day... Samy Nasreddine is still out with a back injury and won't be back for another month... Dennis Purdie remains on injured reserve with a shoulder injury... Mike Garrow returned from the American Hockey League's Utah Grizzlies... Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the AHL's Hershey Bears...

COMMUNITY UPDATE: Feb. 13: Ronald McDonald, San Diego's newest "team member" practiced with the Gulls at the Kroc Centre. Ronald, head coach Steve Martinson and the rest of the team took part in two live shots with KUSI's Rod Luck, promoting the six "McDonald's Nights" and the fundraising partnership with the Gulls, McDonald's and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Thursday: Two players will be attending a school (TBD), promoting I SAFE's game with the Gulls on Saturday. I-SAFE America is an Internet Safety Education Foundation with major emphasis on empowering kids/teens with knowledge on how to act responsibly and be safe online. The I-SAFE Foundation stands for the principle that all online users should act responsibly and be accountable for their actions while traveling the Information Highway.

RECAP:

Anchorage 1 @ GULLS 9: Tuesday, Feb. 11: It was scoreless midway through the first period, but that's when San Diego started its nine-goal explosion. Pederson led the way with four goals. Cory Cyrenne chipped in with five points (1g, 4a) and Clayton Read earned four assists.

GULLS 2 @ Bakersfield 1 (SO): Wednesday, Feb. 12: Classen turned aside 39 of 40 shots and led the Blue and Orange to the 2-1 shootout win. R.J. Enga gave San Diego an early 1-0 lead before Bakersfield tied it late in regulation. In the extra frame, the Gulls beat Kevin St. Pierre in four of five rounds.

Long Beach 1 @ GULLS 6: Friday, Feb. 14: The Gulls built and early 3-0 lead and never looked back as they cruised to their six straight win over the Ice Dogs. Long Beach cut the deficit to 3-1 early in the second, but San Diego kept going. Pederson bagged his second hat trick of the week.

Long Beach 4 @ GULLS 5 (SO): Saturday, Feb. 15: Long Beach scored twice in the third period to force a shootout, but the Gulls regrouped to grab the two points. San Diego scored first, but the Dogs came back to take a 2-1 advantage. That lead was short-lived because the Blue and Orange netted three straight to go ahead 4-2. In the overtime period, Pederson and Sylvain Deschatelets beat Mike Buzak. Classen stopped four of five Long Beach shooters.

THIS WEEK:

San Diego continues its busy schedule with a matinee affair with Fresno on Monday. The Gulls move on to Long Beach Wednesday before going back to Fresno on Friday. The Blue and Orange return home with games against Fresno and Bakersfield on Saturday and Sunday. All games can be heard live on 1130AM-KSDO 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.

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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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