San Diego Takes On WCHL Top Dog
December 9, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Gulls look to get back into a playoff spot and send a message to the rest of the West Coast Hockey League when they take on the Idaho Steelheads Monday night.
If the playoffs started today, the Gulls would be sitting at home. San Diego has 17 points, one behind the fourth-place Fresno Falcons. The Gulls have won five times in their last 16 games (and two of those came in a shootout). The Blue and Orange have lost four of its last six at home.
San Diego has out-shot its opponents in 16 of 19 games this season, but is still having trouble finding the back of the net. The Gulls have been averaging more than 32 shots in each of their last six games, but have only scored eight goals during that time. The "Go-to" guys R.J. Enga and Mark Pederson are arguably going through their worst slumps of their careers. Both have tallied one goal in their last games and have only combined for seven points during that span.
The Steelheads are once again flying, undefeated in their last nine games (7-0-2). Idaho comes in tonight with 33 points, five ahead of the second-place Bakersfield Condors. Idaho leads the league in goals for (76), while allowing a league-low (47). The Steelheads also lead the league with the best power play and penalty killing efficiencies.
Joe Rybar is riding an 11 game point-scoring streak and is tied for third in the WCHL with 26 points. Idaho has three others in the league's top 10 scoring race: Scott Swanson (24), Chris Marinucci (22) and Cory Morgan (21). Swanson leads the league with 22 assists and his 24 points bests all WCHL defenseman.
Idaho's two-headed goaltending tandem has been its strongest asset. Jason Cugnet leads the league with a 1.84 goals against average. He's second with eight wins and a .927 save percentage. Blair Allison is third with a 2.10 GAA and is tied for the league lead with two shutouts. One of those goose eggs came at the hands of the Gulls.
San Diego and Idaho have met four times this season, with the Steelheads holding a 3-1-0 series edge. The two square off nine more times this season.
The Gulls travel to Long Beach Wednesday before opening a three-game homestand this weekend against Anchorage, Fresno and Bakersfield respectively. All games can be heard live on 1130AM-KSDO and at www.ksdo.com 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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