The San Diego Gulls fell to the Calgary Wranglers 6-0 tonight at Scotiabank Saddledome. The setback extends the team’s current losing streak to four games.
Three-point performances from Connor Zary (2-1=3) and Dryden Hunt (0-3=3) highlighted a strong showing for the Wranglers, who also received multi-point performances from Jeremie Poirer, Matthew Phillips and Emilio Pettersen. Dustin Wolf stopped 30 shots, collecting his third shutout against the Gulls this season.
Gage Alexander made 31 saves on 37 shots in the loss.
A penalty-filled start gave San Diego a 5-on-3 opportunity, stunting Calgary’s early momentum providing an early opportunity for the Gulls. They could not cash in on the attempt and the Wranglers took advantage, grabbing the lead with goals from Phillips (PP) and Poirer 45 seconds apart late in the first period.
Alexander kept the deficit at two early in the second period, making a stunning glove save to deny Calgary a power-play goal.
With the Wranglers controlling the puck in the zone, Phillips fed a pass to defenseman Nick DeSimone. His one-timed shot rattled through traffic in front, sending the puck out to a cutting Phillips. With nothing but an open net in front of him, he chipped the puck toward the yawning cage. Alexander made the impossible stop, using all his 6-6 frame to extend his glove and bat away the chance.
The incredible save only stunted Calgary momentarily, as they tacked on two more in the second period to extend their lead to four. Ilya Solovyov and Zary found the back of the net in the frame.
Calgary added two more in the final frame on goals from Poirer and Zary, marking the third time this season San Diego allowed 6-or-more goals to Calgary.
The loss officially eliminates the San Diego Gulls from playoff contention. It ends a run of three consecutive seasons where the team participated in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The two teams will finish the weekend series at Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday, Mar. 26. Puck drop is 6 p.m. PT.
By AJ Manderichio/SanDiegoGulls.com
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