Gulls Defeat Barracuda; Will Face Condors

Photo: Pro Hockey News

By Thomas Harrington

Two years ago, the San Jose Barracuda defeated the San Diego Gulls in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. On Wednesday, the Gulls got their revenge, defeating the Barracuda three games to one in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Gulls Gain Series Edge In Game 3

After getting a split in San Diego, the Gulls needed to win two of three games in San Jose. Things didn’t start out great for San Diego, as the Barracuda opened the scoring less than three minutes into game three. It was looking like San Jose would have the lead after the first period, but with less than 40 seconds to go in the period, Sam Steel tied the game. Just a few minutes into the middle frame, Ben Street put the Gulls up by one, and Chase De Leo made it 3-1 late in the period. However, the Barracuda did score before the second was over, making it 3-2. In the third, neither team was able to find the back of the net, until San Jose pulled their goalie late in the contest. The Gulls were able to capitalize, and Adam Cracknell restored the two-goal lead. The Gulls won 4-2 and took a 2-1 series lead.

Gulls Eliminate Barracuda In Game 4

Game four was Wednesday night, and the Barracuda needed a win to extend the best of five series. As with every game in this series, San Jose scored the first goal of the game, this one just 50 seconds into the contest. This was probably the worst goal that Jeff Glass gave up in the series. Late in the period, Corey Tropp made a beautiful backhand pass to the slot and Sam Carrick tied the game. Early in the second, Andy Welinski scored on the powerplay to give the Gulls their first lead of the night. It was Welinski’s first career playoff goal. Exactly three minutes later, Steel made it 3-1. Later in the period, San Jose made it 3-2 with a powerplay goal of their own.

Early in the third, San Diego’s fourth line came through, as Jack Kopacka caused a turnover, Matt Berry shot the puck, and Cracknell tipped it home to make it 4-2. Late in regulation, San Jose pulled their goalie, and De Leo scored into the empty net, giving the Gulls a 5-2 win and 3-1 series victory. De Leo scored a goal in every game of the series. However, despite the win, not everything was great that night, as Max Jones was injured and was down on the ice for a while before being helped off. Hopefully, he won’t be out long term.

Gulls First To Advance To Round 2

The Gulls got a number of contributions from up and down their lineup. They were led offensively by Steel and Carrick, who both had six points in the series, while De Leo led the team with four goals. However, it wasn’t just those three, as 10 different players scored a goal for San Diego and 18 different players had at least one point.

San Diego was the first team in the AHL to advance to the second round, and they were awaiting the winner of Colorado vs Bakersfield. Last night, Bakersfield defeated Colorado and will be the Gulls’ opponent. The second round will start on Friday.

For now, the Gulls can rest and recover, but they’ll soon be getting back to work. This is the third time in four years that the Gulls have made the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. In their previous two trips, San Diego lost in five games. This time, they’re determined to push further than before.

Below is the schedule for Round 2.

Graphic: San Diego Gulls

Related:

Gulls and Barracuda Tied

Series Preview: Gulls vs Barracuda

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April 28th, 2019