Top line keeps rolling, Gulls win, 4-1

Published on January 24, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO – It's like a broken record for the San Diego Gulls... another win led by their top line. Sylvain Deschatelets had a goal and three assists, Greg Barber added two goals and a helper and Mark Pederson extended his point streak to 13 games. Trevor Koenig did the rest as San Diego toppled the Bakersfield Condors 4-1 Saturday night, before 6,151 at the Sports Arena.

The Gulls (25-10-3) have now won four straight – seven in a row at home – and move into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division, passing the idle Las Vegas Wranglers. The Condors (12-20-6) are now winless in 14 of their last 18 games and remain fifth in the Pacific Division.

San Diego drew first blood 9:24 into the first period on a power-play goal by Mike Garrow. Dennis Purdie grabbed the puck along the right wing boards and dished it to Garrow, who blasted a slap shot past a screened Joe Watkins. It was Garrow's 11th goal of the season, tying him for second among all ECHL blue-liners.

The game remained relatively calm, until two separate altercations broke out midway through the second period. Jon Mirasty tackled Billy Tibbetts at the Gulls' blue line and began throwing haymakers at the San Diego forward. Meanwhile, Dennis Purdie and Jani Virtanen dropped the gloves, eventually wrestling each other to the ice. When all was said and done the Gulls ended up with a five-minute major power play, but couldn't capitalize.

San Diego was awarded another man advantage shortly after, but this time cashed in. Deschatelets had the puck in the right wing corner and fed the slot to a wide-open Barber, who punched in his first of the night at 16:50. Pederson also earned an assist, extending his point streak to 13 games, tying him for the longest in the ECHL this season.

Deschatelets made it 3-0 Gulls 6:45 into the third, wrapping around the Bakersfield net and beating Watkins before the Condors netminder could get across to the near post. Barber then notched his second of the game – 15th of the season – at 9:15, which for all intents and purposes put the nail in the coffin.

The only remaining question was if Koenig could keep the shutout, which was answered when veteran Paul Willett netted a power-play goal at 11:53. The San Diego netminder ended up finishing with 25 saves, upping his record to 18-5-3.

Notes: Pederson, Deschatelets and Barber have combined for 37 points (15g, 22a) in the last eight games... Pederson has 23 points (14g, 9a) during his 13-game point streak... Barber has 14 points (6g, 8a) in his last eight games... Deschatelets has 22 points (4g, 18a) in the last 13 games... The Gulls are unbeaten in 17 of their last 20 games (16-3-1), outscoring their opponents 70-43... San Diego is 23-7-3 against Pacific Division teams, including a 14-1-0 mark at home... They've now killed 108 of their last 117 penalties... Tibbetts returned to the lineup after playing six games for the American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons... Clayton Read (concussion) and Kevin Grant (neck strain) both remain on the injured list... Josh Gratton remains with the AHL's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...

The Gulls host the Condors again Sunday, with game-time set for 5:05 p.m. and "Skate with the Gulls" to be held immediately afterward. San Diego plays in Las Vegas Tuesday, before returning home for three games at the Sports Arena Thursday, Friday and Saturday. All games can be heard live on KPOP 1360AM with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. The next edition of the Gulls Internet Radio show, hosted by Tera Black and Jeremy Zager on wsRadio.com, will air live Monday, Feb. 2 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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ECHL Stories from January 24, 2004


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