San Diego Gulls Weekly Report
By Greg Johnson
The Gulls ran off eight straight wins. Then last Sunday came. They’ve dropped every game since. After all, each member of the Gulls wants to be called up to the Ducks. They’re just auditioning for the part.
The Record
Ok, it’s not as bad as it sounds. San Diego has only played one game since last Sunday. And that game was the following Sunday. The Gulls traveled all the way to Stockton, the affiliate of the Calgary Flames, to lose 4-2.
68 Games
In the oddity that is the Pacific Division of the AHL, there are only 68 games in a 76-game league. So the Gulls are only on a two-game losing streak. But like I said, so are the Ducks heading into their four-day break this week.
At any rate, because of the extreme bus travel on the West Coast, the teams out here play eight fewer games each season. And since the AHL is a developmental league, the Gulls’ season is basically as long as the NHL season. That gives head coach Dallas Eakins and his staff plenty of time to coach. They have their work cut out for them now.
Gulls in the Playoffs?
Sunday’s loss dropped the Gulls to a point percentage of 0.594. That’s still good for second place in the wild Pacific Division, where every team has a points percentage of at least 0.500. That means the last place team in the eight-team Pacific Division has earned half of the available points. It’s pretty competitive out here on the left coast.
Standouts
Sam Carrick still looks awfully good in every game. In this week’s game, he had an assist on a nifty two-on-one give back with Corey Tropp. But, as usual, he also had plenty of other chances. I’m not sure why Carrick can’t get a sniff at the Ducks lineup.
Although he didn’t have a point in the game this week, Andy Welinski had six of the Gulls’ 26 shots on goal. I guess the Ducks have all the puck-moving defensemen they need, and they’d rather play Beauchemin or Bieksa than Welinski. I’m guessing that’s why they don’t pay me to make these decisions.
On the Rebound
Last week, Kevin Boyle stopped 90 of 92 shots. This week he regressed to his normal play. You want your goalie to be a machine. Unfortunately, Boyle was a rebound machine in this week’s game. Hopefully, he’ll show last week’s brilliance in next week’s games. Boyle won’t be getting much help right now with John Gibson on injured reserve.
Called Me Up
This week goalie Retto Berra got called back up to Anaheim as a result of John Gibson’s 36th injury of the season. (I’d count the real number, but who has that much time?) Berra needs a realtor in San Clemente or Oceanside given the yo-yo he’s been on this season. He didn’t play Sunday night.
Kalle Kossila also got to join the big club this week. He was scratched by the Ducks Sunday night. But the Finnish forward can definitely put on some moves. Hopefully, he’ll be in the lineup on Friday. Either way, let’s get the Gulls’ announcer some Valium.
Games This Week
Thankfully, the Gulls have three games this week. Tuesday, they host the San Antonio Rampage (Avalanche) for Taco Tuesday at the San Diego Sports Arena. Friday, they will try to be unwelcoming to the Ontario Reign (Kings) during $2 Beer Night. That’s always a fun night when Kings fans in training show up. And Sunday the Gulls make the drive back up to see the Stockton Heat again. This is a big week for the Gulls as all three teams are within striking distance in the Pacific Division standings.