Gulls Score First, But Canucks Win 3-1

Oct 25, 2024

By Austin Rush/SanDiegoGulls.com

The San Diego Gulls drop the first contest of their four-game Canadian road trip, 3-1 to the Abbotsford Canucks tonight.

Yegor Sidorov picked up right where he left off from last game scoring the game’s opening goal just 2:57 into the first period. The opening tally is Sidorov’s third goal in the last two games. Sidorov’s third goal of the season was assisted by Judd Caulfield who extends his point streak to two games.

The Canucks would answer with a power play goal from Danila Klimovich at 9:22 of the first period to even things at 1-1. 4:05 later, Auta Raty scored the eventual game-winning goal by tipping a shot from the point, out front of the Gulls cage. Mark Friedman scored the Canucks final goal of the night to extend their lead to 3-1 at 11:28 of the second period.

"We didn't look ready to play from the very first shift. We blew faceoff coverage in our zone and ice the puck twice and then we were able to bounce back, have a couple of sustained good shifts together and get on the board," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "Then from there, we take a tough penalty in the offensive zone that gives them the power play. As often happens when you take bad penalties, they get on the board. Really, from that point in the game onward, we struggled to find anything, any semblance of the play that we've seen from our group. Second period was totally outplayed and in the third there was some sort of push, but it wasn't enough. They were simply quicker than us, more aggressive than us, on top of us, and we didn't have our game."

Despite falling, Gulls goaltender Calle Clang had another solid night between the pipes stopping 35 of the 38 shots he faced tonight.

"He was excellent. He gave us a chance. The only reason it's close and we're playing with the goalie out at the end of the game is Calle," McIlvane said.

The Gulls will look to avenge tonight’s loss tomorrow night when they take on the Canucks one more time this weekend. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.