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Worst week in Gulls history comes to close

April 12, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO –– Upsets do happen. But the San Diego Gulls, who are always the favorites, have never really had to deal with them... until now. The five-time Taylor Cup Champs and this year's Brabham Cup winners ran into an Alaska Aces team that had nothing to lose. As luck would have it, the Aces didn't lose and swept the Gulls out of the playoffs.

So now the season is over. Pretty weird eh? That's because the Gulls have never lost in the first round of the playoffs. That's because this is only the fourth series they've lost in their nine-year existence. San Diego has won more championships in its history than suffered playoff exits.

The Gulls charged out of the regular season with the best record in the ECHL and met the underdog Aces in the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Games 1 and 2 were close, while Game 3 was no contest.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

GAME 1 – April 6 vs. Alaska:

The Aces exploded for four goals in the first period and rode the hot goaltending of Dan Murphy the rest of the way, stunning the Gulls in Game 1 with a 4-2 victory. Joe Talbot led the offensive attack with two goals, while Jordan Cameron and Bret DeCecco also tallied for Alaska. San Diego out-shot the Aces 32-4 after the first period, but Murphy was rock-solid in net and only allowed goals to Chris Gobert and newcomer Nick Lent. Murphy finished the game with 37 saves while Trevor Koenig stopped 13 shots in a losing effort.

GAME 2 – April 7 vs. Alaska:

The Gulls took a 2-0 lead into the third period of Wednesday night's Game 2, but the Aces lit the lamp three times in the third period and put the game away 16:15 into overtime to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. Charles Linglet notched two goals, including the game winner, and Murphy turned away 42 shots to lead the way for Alaska. Mark Pederson scored twice and Sylvain Deschatelets chipped in with two assists for San Diego.

GAME 3 – April 9 @ Alaska:

Alaska again jumped out to a huge first-period lead and never looked back, defeating the Gulls 5-1 in Game 3 and eliminating them from the playoffs. Mark Smith netted two in the opening frame and Talbot also lit the lamp, giving the Aces a commanding 3-0 lead. That's how it stayed until David Neale made it 3-1 game with his tally 51 seconds into the third. Talbot, however, put the nail in the coffin midway through the third, while Kimbi Daniels added an empty-netter late in the frame.

PLAYER NOTES:

Koenig allowed 12 goals on 67 shots in the series (.821 save percentage)... Murphy stopped 106 of 112 shots in the three games (.946 save percentage)... Five players led the Gulls with two points (Mark Pederson, Sylvain Deschatelets, Igor Pohanka, Nick Lent and Scott Kirton)... Steve Martinson's tenure in San Diego is over...

TEAM NOTES:

This is the first time the Gulls have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs... It's also the first time they've been swept... San Diego is now 10-4 when facing elimination... San Diego has an all-time record of 57-30 in the playoffs, which includes a 21-15 mark on the road... The Gulls are now 4-3 lifetime against the Aces in the playoffs...

The Gulls return to action in October for their second season in the ECHL. Season ticket packages for 2004-05 are currently available. For pricing and benefits, contact 619-224-4625 ext. 7. The final edition of the Gulls Internet Radio show, hosted by Tera Black and Jeremy Zager on wsRadio.com, will air live Monday, April 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. To view pictures from this season, visit www.sdgullsphotos.com and www.zerodogentertainment.com.

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