The San Diego Gulls should have skipped all the bus riding last week. They would have almost been better off just going to The Rinks and practicing.
The Record
The Gulls were 0-1-2 last week. They scored three goals in three games. That’s three total. San Diego was lucky they earned two points last week and somehow made it home safely. Head coach Dallas Eakins did not seem pleased. They came from ahead in the second straight game Tuesday at home against the Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets’ affiliate) to lose 2-1 only 18 seconds into overtime. Things got worse after they boarded the bus for the weekend. Friday, they lost to the Ontario Reign (LA Kings) 3-0. That game was so much worse than the score makes it sound. San Diego was down 3-0 6:14 into the game. In a turn of events, they came from behind Saturday against the Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers), scoring with 2:26 left in the game. Unfortunately, they lost in overtime again.
Playoffs
Believe it or not, after the horrible week the Gulls had, they are still hanging onto second place in the Pacific Division. They’re fourth in the Western Conference, narrowly ahead of the Texas Stars (Dallas). San Diego has 14 games remaining on their regular season schedule. Their chances of playing in the postseason look relatively good right now barring a continuation of their performance last week.
Standout
So you’re telling me you want me to point out the standout players from the last week? Look, I’m not a miracle worker. I’ll do my best with what they gave me.
Mitch Hults is a 23-year-old center who was recently called back up from the ECHL Utah Grizzlies. He is most famous in San Diego for this goal that made it rain teddy bears inside the San Diego Sports Arena back in December. He was the only Gull with multiple points. His two assists weren’t much. But let’s give him credit. He had this sweet feed to Giovanni Fiore Tuesday. That’s worth writing about.
Defensively, Keaton Thompson and Jacob Larsson tied for the scoring lead with 1. Don’t hurt yourselves there guys. Reto Berra started all three games. His performances weren’t worthy of a standout distinction either. Maybe we can give Mike Liambas some love for actually fighting this week. Personally, I’m abstaining in all of these categories.
Games This Week, Please!
There are three home games on the schedule this week. Home cooking should do the Gulls some good. Tuesday, the Gulls host the San Antonio Rampage (Colorado Avalanche) for Taco Tuesday. Friday, the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators) visit on $2 Beer Night. Finally, Saturday the Gulls look for revenge against the Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers) while giving away St. Patrick’s Day socks and pouring beer in the parking lot for two hours before the game.
Last Call
This weekend is your last chance to head down the coast for a two-game weekend. It doesn’t get much better than hanging out in San Diego during the day, catching a hockey game, then hitting the Gaslamp Quarter at night. As I said before, tickets are cheap. $2 beer night is Friday. You even get St. Patrick’s Day socks and parking lot beer on Saturday. What could be better?