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By Phillip Brents
Jan. 7, 2003

The San Diego Gulls get three tries at the league-leading Idaho Steelheads this week in what Gulls head coach Steve Martinson had termed a “battle for first place.” The Gulls will need victories in the latter two contests to salvage anything closely resembling a contender’s spot after the Steelheads hung on for a 3-2 decision in the opener of the critical (from the Gulls’ standpoint) three-game series.

The key win pushed Idaho’s lead to 12 standings points on the second-place Gulls (20-11-1).

The Steelheads remain atop the WCHL standings with a 25-7-3 record.

The loss brought to an end the Gulls’ league season high 12-game winning streak that ironically began with a 2-0 shutout of the Steelies on Dec. 9.

Idaho clearly came prepared to defend its top standing – taking a 3-0 lead on San Diego before two late goals by right wing Clayton Read gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with a final power play chance to send the contest into a shootout.

The Gulls pulled goaltender Trevor Koenig with 1:02 left on the scoreboard clock but could not get the equalizer. Players watched as the puck flipped over the Idaho net with 1.8 seconds to play.

San Diego finished with a 30-14 edge in shots.

“They capitalized on their chances. It’s tough to play catch-up, especially with one period to go,” said Read, who broke Steelheads netminder Jason Cugnet’s shutout bid with 5:35 to play in the third period and then added another breakaway goal with 4:12 left.

“We had real momentum at the end,” Read continued, “We know we can do it now. We know we can come back to win the next two games.”

The Gulls entered the pivotal three-game set trailing Idaho by 10 standings points with three games in hand. Two San Diego wins would position the Gulls six points behind the Steelheads with a like number of points held in the games in hand.

Cugnet, who was playing in his 13th consecutive game, was the difference against the seasoned Koenig, a two-time WCHL Outstanding Goaltender. Cugnet finished the game with 28 saves, denying rebounds throughout the contest and somehow managing to avoid the “unlucky” bounce.

Koenig, who was starting his 12th consecutive game, allowed a shorthanded goal to Idaho’s Marty Flichel at the 13:14 mark of the opening period on an uncharacteristically poorly-played odd-man rush. The Steelies beat Koenig again for two goals in a 4:40 span late in the second period to effectively put the game out of reach behind Cugnet’s solid goaltending. Martin Vasut scored through the five-hole at 15:01 to double the Idaho lead; Adam Copeland scored on another low shot from long range (with Koenig partially screened) at 19:41.

San Diego outshot Idaho 13-3 in the final period.

The teams rematch Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. and close out the series on Saturday, Jan. 11, with another 7 p.m. face-off.

Notepad
The Steelheads began a 12-day trip to play their four California rivals leading the league in goals (123), assists (202), points (325) and power play goals (48). The two goals raised Read’s totals to 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points – fourth on the team in scoring. Koenig entered the game riding a career-best 11-game winning streak with five shutouts and a 0.94 GAA. Cugnet improved to 18-6-1. He entered the game with a 2.13 GAA and .916 save percentage.

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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