Taylor Cup Finals Game 6 Preview

Published on May 9, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Gulls can nab their fifth Taylor Cup Championship with a win in Game 6 over the Fresno Falcons, slated for Saturday night at the Sports Arena.

The Gulls took a 3-2 series lead with a crucial 4-2 win at Selland Arena last Saturday in Game 5. San Diego took a 2-0 lead in the game before the Falcons tied it heading into the third period. It remained tied until Miguel Delisle scored with 1:39 left in regulation. Mark Pederson found Delisle open in the slot and the rookie winger got off a weak wrist shot that caromed off Fresno's Tyler Prosofsky and by Terry Friesen. Dean Tiltgen buried an empty-netter 16 seconds later to officially send the Gulls back home with the series lead.

San Diego jumped out a 2-0 series cushion, outscoring the Falcons 14-5 in the opening two games at the Sports Arena. The Falcons got right back into the series with consecutive one-goal victories, including a Game 4 overtime thriller. They are trying to become the second team in West Coast Hockey League history to win the Taylor Cup after trailing 2-0 in the championship round. The Gulls are the only other team who've accomplished the feat when they beat the Idaho Steelheads in Game 7 of the 2001 finals.

Mark Pederson and Kevin Grant have led the offensive charge for the Blue and Orange in the postseason, tied for the league lead with 13 points apiece. Grant leads all playoff scorers with 12 assists, three more than Pederson. San Diego has 11 different players with at least five points, including Tiltgen, who's riding a seven-game point streak.

Then there's Trevor Koenig, who's been almost unbeatable in the playoffs. San Diego's all-star netminder leads everyone with a 1.94 goals-against average and .936 save percentage, both on pace to set new WCHL records.

Fresno has been pushed to the brink of elimination for the first time since last season's first round series with the Long Beach Ice Dogs. The Falcons trailed the best-of-five series 2-1 before winning two straight and advancing on to the semifinal round against the Gulls, whom they also beat on their way to taking the 2002 Championship.

Glen Gulutzan has been Fresno's go-to guy throughout the postseason, trailing Pederson and Grant by only one point (12). WCHL Rookie of the Year Colin Embley, who scored the Game 4 overtime winner, is second on the team with 11 points, while Rob Bonneau, also in the midst of a seven-game point streak, has 10.

This is the final weekend in the WCHL, which lasted eight seasons. All six teams along with the Las Vegas Wranglers are moving to the East Coast Hockey League, starting next season.

If necessary, Game 7 will be at the Sports Arena on Sunday, starting at 5 p.m. Chris Ello will have all the play-by-play this weekend on AM1130 KSDO. You can listen to the Gulls Internet Radio Show's archives anytime on wsradio.com.

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ECHL Stories from May 9, 2003


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