Sports
San Diego Gulls Edged In Preseason Finale
The San Diego Gulls concluded preseason play with a 3-2 loss to the Ontario Reign Monday evening in Anaheim.
SAN DIEGO — Chris Wideman and Chase De Leo scored power-play goals as the San Diego Gulls concluded preseason play with a 3-2 loss to the Ontario Reign Monday evening in Anaheim.
The Reign regained the lead following a scoreless second period on Jared Anderson-Dolan's goal three minutes, 35 seconds into the third period off an assist by Kale Clague.
Sheldon Rempal increased Ontario's lead to 3-1 by scoring with 7:59 to play before a crowd announced at 8,812 at Honda Center where admission and parking were free for the game between the American Hockey League affiliates of the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.
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The Gulls cut the deficit to 3-2 when De Leo took a pass from Jani Hakanpaa and put a wrist shot from the slot past Cal Petersen for a goal with 5:33 left. Andrew Poturalski was also credited with an assist.
Coach Kevin Dineen pulled goaltender Kevin Boyle for a sixth attacker with 30 seconds remaining, but the Gulls were unable to score the equalizer.
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"I think there's still a lot of work to be done," said Dineen, whose team will begin the regular season Friday at Bakersfield. "We're still bringing in players being sent down from Anaheim.
That's never an easy thing for anybody, so there's a little bit of an adjustment period.
"We're still working on systems, that kind of thing. We're making progress. We're excited, but we're disappointed not to win in this great building."
Reign defenseman Sean Durzi opened the scoring 9:31 into the first period with a shot that trickled past Boyle and barely crossed the goal line. Rasmus Kupari was credited with the lone assist.
The Gulls capitalized on a five-on-three advantage when Wideman scored off a cross-ice pass from Blake Pietila 14:17 into the first period. Corey Tropp was credited with the other assist.
The Gulls were outshot, 28-25, including a 13-8 deficit in the second period.
The Gulls scored on two of their four power-play opportunities. Ontario did not have a power-play opportunity.
Boyle made 25 saves. Petersen made 23.
Gulls defenseman Steven Ruggiero and Reign defenseman Chaz Reddekopp drew five-minute major penalties for their fight 1:19 into the game.
Both teams concluded preseason play 1-1-0-0. The Gulls defeated Ontario, 5-2, Thursday in Ontario.
– City News Service
