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Feb. 5, 2003

One move that Steve Martinson will always be proud of is the signing of Trevor Koenig, who's carried the San Diego Gulls since his arrival. San Diego could only dress 13 skaters Wednesday night and score two goals, but Koenig put the team on his back yet again.

San Diego's all-star netminder turned aside 28 shots, leading the Gulls to a 2-1 victory, before 4,373 at Selland Arena. It was also Koenig's 100th all-time West Coast Hockey League win, making him the fifth goalie in league history to reach the century mark.

Koenig will get most of the attention tonight, but it was San Diego's entire defensive output that made him look even better. Only three of the 13 dressed skaters tonight were technically defensemen. Rookie forward David Neale was forced to move back to the blue line, where he more than held his own.

Clayton Read, who scored a pair last night, lit the lamp again 2:55 into the first, giving San Diego (27-14-2) the early 1-0 lead. After shaking off a check, Read skated to the left circle and snapped a wrist shot that trickled between the pads of Mark Gowan.

The Gulls were left with only 12 skaters after Mike McGhan was given a major boarding penalty and game misconduct early in the second period. Fresno (24-16-5) couldn't take advantage, however, as San Diego's defense easily killed the five-minute disadvantage.

San Diego was one second away from taking its 1-0 lead into the third period, but that second was enough time for the Falcons to tie it. Cory Murphy chased down the puck at the blue line, quickly turned and fired a shot that was deflected into the top right corner of the net. Jason Weaver and Glen Gulutzan assisted on Murphy's ninth of the season.

Trevor Sherban put the Gulls ahead for good with his sixth tally 4:29 into the third period. With a power play, Mark Pederson fed the point to a wide-open Sherban, who blasted a slap shot past Gowan.

Fresno had a huge opportunity to tie the game with a two-man advantage for a full two-minutes midway through the final frame, but Koenig and company thwarted the attack.

Notepad
Koenig got his 100th win in 152 games. He still needs seven more "W's" for 100 in his Gulls tenure… The Falcons are the only team the Gulls have a losing record against (3-4-0)… The Blue and Orange broke a six-game losing streak at Selland Arena… Ashlee Langdone and Dennis Mullen were both suspended tonight… Kevin Grant, who took a puck in the face last night, didn't play. He's also suffering from concussion-like symptoms… Samy Nasreddine missed his fourth straight game with an injured back… Mike Garrow was loaned back to the American Hockey League's Utah Grizzlies… Dennis Purdie remains on injured reserve… Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the AHL's Hershey Bears…

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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