2017-18 AHL Affiliate: San Diego Gulls

[Paul4587]

Welinski deserves another shot at the NHL.

Over the stud blueliner we currently have manning the right side in Bieksa? I don't think so...

 

[HansH]

Yeah, he just got a contract with the Iowa Wild for the rest of 17-18.

That's a little funny, as he was not dressed against them when the Gulls played them on Tuesday night. Best of luck to him with them for the rest of the season -- they looked, as I said, small but fast, and some of the grit he can bring may serve them in good stead.

 

[Opak]

Gulls defeat Barracuda in OT, final score 3-2. Highlights here.

 

[duxfan1101]

Gulls lineup today (no Tropp or Blandisi):

 

[Opak]

Gulls sweep the back-to-back, result 4-1. Highlights here.

6-game win streak, 2nd place in the division!

 

[MMC]

Glad Ras is off the AHL squad, gives the kids more of a look.

 

[HansH]

Gulls sweep the back-to-back, result 4-1. Highlights here.

6-game win streak, 2nd place in the division!

Add to this, over .600 for the first time in a while, and effectively four points (with no games in hand) behind division-leading Tucson. That said, the division is still quite competitive, and a short skid could easily send them skidding back out of playoff position.

It's been interesting seeing different rookies getting time on the top line the last few games -- Fiore on Tuesday, Sideroff on Sunday. Not sure what the story is with Tropp - I hope he's not out too long.

 

[HansH]

Glad Ras is off the AHL squad, gives the kids more of a look.

I can't share your happiness. He seemed to be a stabilizing, if not flashy presence at the AHL level, and I think the Gulls as a team are worse without him. Still, wish him the best of luck in Sweden.

 

[HansH]

Gulls host Condors tonight. Petersson called up, Holzer not here in time. Lines:

Kerdiles - Kosilla - Sideroff
Roy - Carrick - Fiore
Nattinen - Fehr - Boll
Liambas - Hults - Sabourin

Schultz / Welinski
Thompson / Oleksy
Megna / Larsson

Boyle

So, Cooper is either DEEP in the doghouse (to have Schultz draw in over him), or suffering an unreported injury, is my thought. Also, Tropp was listed as projecting to draw in on the first line, but didn't come out for warmups, with Sideroff taking that position.

 

[duxfan1101]

Liambas kicked out of the game 3 minutes in, apparently for a headshot. I also saw this video of him destroying Marcus Sorenson over the weekend. Couldn't tell if there was head contact from this angle:

Also, here is Sabourin fighting from tonight's game:

 

[AngelDuck]

Liambas is a beast. Guy is only 5'10 but is a tank

 

[HansH]

Gulls lead 3-0 at the first break. In the first 8 and a half minutes:

Fehr takes a pass that splits the D and goes 5-hole for a goal in the first two minutes.

Sabourin gets into a fight in which the Condors player never seemed to realize what was going on.

Liambas gets a major and a game for "head contact". On the ensuing major PK, Carrick scores a shortie off a spin-a-rama.

The Condors get called with a minute remaining in their PP. In the shortened Gulls PP that followed some 4v4, Hults scores a PP goal on the sixth Gulls shot of the game, reaching behind the goalie to tap in a loose puck.

Later, the Condors' captain had to be stretchered off the ice screaming in pain with a clear leg injury up near his bench off an unfortunate crumple from a Sideroff hit. From his reaction, I wouldn't be surprised if his season was over.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Sounds like an exciting first period.

 

[duxfan1101]

Sabourin with a hilarious goal in the 2nd. 4-0 Gulls

 

[eternalbedhead]

Sabourin with a hilarious goal in the 2nd. 4-0 Gulls

Well, we've found Bieksa's replacement.

 

[HansH]

Opak will have the summary and score links, but the 6-0 final kind of speaks for itself, with Boyle standing in against 37 shots to register the bagel.

With Tucson's loss to the Barracuda tonight, the Gulls lie two points out of first, with equal number of games played. A reminder - the Gulls and Roadrunners finish the season with three straight head to head tilts against each other.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

The bagel. I like that.

 

[Masch78]

I'm happy about Boyle. Liked the signing a lot. Maybe he can push for a backup spot.

@HansH overall how is the Gulls entertainment factor? I wonder if Eakins may be able to handle a NHL team. His record in the minors is quite good (it was before his time with the Oilers).

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

I'm happy about Boyle. Liked the signing a lot. Maybe he can push for a backup spot.

@HansH overall how is the Gulls entertainment factor? I wonder if Eakins may be able to handle a NHL team. His record in the minors is quite good (it was before his time with the Oilers).

People actually do forget he was one of the hottest coaching prospects in quite some time, probably in my tenure as a fan, and with this latest successes and the fact that his failure was with the Oilers, I'm certain he has another shot coming soon.

 

[Masch78]

I always thought he was very unlucky in Edmonton. Look how they struggle with much more talent.

 

[mightyquack]

You'd have to think Eakins would be a serious contender for the Ducks job if RC is fired in the off-season, his AHL record is outstanding and has coached all of the young players that are on the Ducks (and likely a couple more will crack the NHL roster next season). Given the coaching landscape doesn't appear flush with lots of options for next season, I'd imagine it would be a no brainer type of move for Anaheim (assuming they are fine finding a new HC for San Diego) to bring in Eakins.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I think Eakins could be a good choice. What would anybody think of Trotz if he were available this summer?

 

[mightyquack]

I think Eakins could be a good choice. What would anybody think of Trotz if he were available this summer?

Would be interesting an interesting choice that's for sure, but would have to think he'd be pretty highly sought after around the league if he hit the market. And surely Washington wouldn't be seriously considering firing him? Lost to the Cup Champs each of the last 2 seasons and lost to the previous season's Stanley Cup finalist in 2015. Would be mad to fire him I'd say.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Would be interesting an interesting choice that's for sure, but would have to think he'd be pretty highly sought after around the league if he hit the market. And surely Washington wouldn't be seriously considering firing him? Lost to the Cup Champs each of the last 2 seasons and lost to the previous season's Stanley Cup finalist in 2015. Would be mad to fire him I'd say.

I thought many were saying he was on the hot seat? Hasn't he developed the BB syndrome? Great regular season coach, can't win the playoffs?

 

[Opak]

Opak will have the summary and score links, but the 6-0 final kind of speaks for itself, with Boyle standing in against 37 shots to register the bagel.

With Tucson's loss to the Barracuda tonight, the Gulls lie two points out of first, with equal number of games played. A reminder - the Gulls and Roadrunners finish the season with three straight head to head tilts against each other.

Statistics here, highlights here.