The San Diego Gulls took the driver’s seat Friday night on the road as they dominated play and shut out the Tucson Roadrunners in a 4-0 victory at Tucson Convention Center.
Tomas Suchanek was a rock in net, stopping all 26 shots on the night to become the first rookie Gulls goaltender to record three shutouts in a season.
It was a three-point night for captain Chase De Leo, who tallied three assists. He now has 67-114=181 points as a Gull, tying Sam Carrick (86-95=181) as the franchise’s all-time points leader.
“Thought that was the most complete team game we’ve played in the last couple years I’ve been here honestly,” De Leo said. “From top to bottom, I thought everybody contributed.”
Friday night saw the Gulls again be ones to kick off the action in-net as Sasha Pastujov fired his eighth goal of the season at 7:57 in the opening frame, stretching his point streak to three consecutive games.
Andrew Agozzino joined the fun at 18:10 to put the puck home on the power play, bringing the Gulls to a two-goal lead while keeping Tucson off the board to close out the first. The left wing has recorded 18 goals this season, 12 of them power-play goals.
San Diego brought that lead into the locker room and added to their advantage in the middle frame with a goal from Ben King, who tipped on in on the power play with less than five minutes left in the second. Along with depositing his 14th goal of the season, King also recorded an assist.
Denying the Roadrunners any points and entering the final frame with a three-goal lead, the Gulls continued to dictate play in the third as Glenn Gawdin whipped home their fourth goal of the evening, depositing his 22nd of the season at 12:16. The center also picked up a helper on the night.
Nathan Gaucher, Judd Caulfield, and Trevor Carrick each recorded an assist on the evening.
“Playoffs or not, I think if we play that way every game, we’re going to give our opponent some trouble,” De Leo said. “We just need to keep pushing forward, try not to look too far ahead or look at the standings, just have a great push and finish to the end here and see what happens.”
The Gulls will run right back to the rink tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 30 as they square off with the Roadrunners for the second of back-to-back contests at Tucson Convention Center (7 p.m. PDT).
By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com
Best shots from the game, photos by Max.Williamson@prohockeynews.com
Tucson’s Nathan Smith lays should check on Ben King of San Diego – Photo by Max Williamson
Tucson’s Ben McCartney attempts to screen Gulls goalie Tomas Suchanek – Photo by Max Williamson
Tucson goalie Matthew Villalta reaches out for puck during mad scramble in front of net. – Photo by Max Williamson
Tomas Suchanek gives up a rebound opportunity – Photo by Max Williamson
the puck rests on the red line just off of Mathew Villalta’s pad – Photo by Max Williamson
Skirmish after the whistle – Photo by Max Williamson
San Diego’s Glen Gawdin controls the puck in the offensive zone – Photo by Max Williamson
San Diego defenseman Trevor Carrick watches the puck with intensity – Photo by Max Williamson
Roadrunners netminder Mathew Villalta seeks puck from behind net front battle – Photo by Max Williamson
Patrik Koch of Tucson looks to accept a pass – Photo by Max Williamson
Patrik Koch looks for a teammate to dish puck to – Photo by Max Williamson
Nathan Smith of Tucson looks to disrupt San Diego’s Ben King’s pass attempt – Photo by Max Williamson
Nathan Smith attempting to block a shot from San Diego’s Drew Helleson – Photo by Max Williamson
Luka Profaca stands over a roadrunner player after delivering big hit – Photo by Max Williamson
Linesman attempting to stay out of the way during battle up the boards – Photo by Max Williamson
Justin Kirkland of Tucson attempts to block Glen Gawdin’s shot – Photo by Max Williamson
Former teammates Glen Gawding (SD) and Justin Kirkland (TUC) – Photo by Max Williamson
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