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By Phillip Brents
Nov. 29, 2002

With an 85-13-4 all-time record, including playoffs, against Bakersfield’s WCHL entry, one might suppose the San Diego Gulls own the series between the league’s two charter member clubs. That appears to be changing -- to the Gulls’ disadvantage -- in this, the WCHL’s final season.

The second-place Condors streaked to their eighth consecutive win after defeating the Gulls, 4-3, in front of 8,404 fans at the San Diego Sports Arena to up their record to 11-4-0. The Gulls, who entered the game in third place in the six-team league, fell to 8-9-1.

It’s one of the best starts in Bakersfield history; it’s one of the worst starts to a season in San Diego history.

Following Friday’s come-from-ahead and then come-from-behind win, the Condors lead the Gulls by five standings points. It’s an unaccustomed sight to many and illustrates just how much of a struggle of late it’s for a San Diego club accustomed to ranking near the top of the standings year-in and year-out.

Bakersfield has righted itself from a disappointing 2-4-0 start.

“We’ve had a good start. Everyone’s chipped in,” said second-year Bakersfield coach Paul Kelly. “We’ve had good goaltending and timely goals. We’ve worked hard. We’ve got a good work ethic on the team. We’re getting some wins.”

The Condors jolted their longtime South Division rivals with a 2-0 lead, then played back from a 3-2 deficit in support of the WCHL’s top goaltender, Kevin St. Pierre, who stopped 26 pucks as San Diego finished with a 29-17 shot advantage. St. Pierre, one of the new roster editions this season, improved to 10-2-0. He entered the game leading the league in wins (10), GAA (1.84) and save percentage (.936).

The Condors remained undefeated on the road at 7-0-0.

“With only four teams making the playoffs, it’s a little different than before when you knew everyone made the playoffs. We have motivation to win in Bakersfield. We have great support there and it’s nice to give something back. The fans are hungry for a winner,” Kelly said.

The opening 2-0 assault by Bakersfield proved too much for the Gulls, who are 5-9-1 in their last 15 games since opening the season 3-0-0. Jason Jackman gave the Condors 1 -0 lead just 1:45 into the contest when he rifled a shot over the shoulder of Gulls starter Trevor Koenig (8-7-1). When Jimmy Drolet scored on a deflection at 3:37, Bakersfield had enough offense to weather an ensuing San Diego comeback bid.

The Gulls got on the scoreboard at 12:59 when Sylvain Deschatelets poked in a power play goal with assists to team captain Dennis Purdie and left wing Mark Pederson. The goal brought a cascade of several hundred stuffed animals onto the ice and a 10-minute stoppage to the game in the team’s annual “Teddy Bear Toss” for needy children (see Notepad below). The period ended with San Diego holding a 14-7 edge in shots.

The Gulls scored two more unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead with 8:27 to play in the second period. Purdie scored the team’s second power play goal of the night off passes from teammates R.J. Enga and Pederson to tie the game at the 1:55 mark of the period. San Diego took the lead on Dean Tiltgen’s short-handed goal at 11:33, knockin in the second rebound past St. Pierre. Assists on the Gulls’ 3-2 go-ahead goal went to Mike Garrow and newcomer Cory Cyrenne. However, the Condors retaliated with a power play goal of their own in the dying moments of the period as Bakersfield leading scorer Paul Willett beat Koenig with 25 seconds remaining on a penalty to Purdie. Willett’s game-tying goal at 18:59 drew assists from former NHL’er Shawn Byram and Drolet.

The Gulls finished with a 9-6 edge in shots in the second period, outscoring Bakersfield 2-1, and finished with a 6-4 edge in shots in the final period but gave up the final stanza’s lone goal. Jason Ralph got the game-winner with 6:23 remaining in regulation play at even strength. Ralph one-timed a feed from Christian Skoryna to notch his team-leading ninth goal of the seaaon.

If there is any consolation for the Gulls, they play 13 of their next 19 games at home, including an upcoming seven-game homestand. The teams rematch Tuesday, Dec. 3 in Bakersfield.

Notepad
This was the Gulls' third annual Teddy Bear Toss. Last year, more than 3,000 stuffed animals made their way to the ice. This year the biggest hurdle didn't prove to be thePlexiglas but the new protective netting strung up behind each net. The teddy bears will be donated to Hope for the Holidays, a national charity to benefit under-privileged children.

FEATURE ARTICLES
Goalies leave their legacy in WCHL
East meets West in final WCHL season
WCHL’s 2002-2003 makeover starts at the top
WCHL Training Camp Notepad
WCHL honors its own with organizational awards

AROUND THE WCHL
November 2002 Edition
October 2002 Edition
May 2002 Edition

GAME RECAPS
02/07/03: Condors 4, Gulls 3 (SO)
02/05/03: Gulls 2, Falcons 1
02/04/03: Falcons 8, Gulls 3
02/01/03: Steelheads 6, Gulls 5 (SO)
01/31/03: Gulls 3, Steelheads 2 (SO)

PROFILES IN HOCKEY
Enga is Gulls’ new ironman
Danielle Dube — pioneer, no; goaltender, yes
Greg Spenrath: Falcons lose a legend
Grandfather, grandson keep Gulls "all in the family"

PRESS RELEASES
Ice Dogs name Kaminski as head coach