LIVE: Gulls Cage Eagles With OT Win
May 15, 2021The San Diego Gulls defeated the Colorado Eagles 3-2 in the overtime of tonight's matchup at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, CO.
WATCH: AHL TV | LISTEN: GULLS AUDIO NETWORK | GULLS GAMEDAY HUB | AHL GAMECENTER
Andrew Agozzino - the former Colorado Eagle - scored the game-winning, power-play goal with 55 seconds left in the overtime session.
THIRD PERIOD RECAP
Bryce Kindopp tied the game, scoring on a penalty shot opportunity at 3:49 of the final frame.
The rookie earned his opportunity with solid work in the defensive end, applying pressure to Matt Abt as San Diego's blue line. The Colorado defenseman whiffed on a shot attempt and lost the puck to Kindopp, who raced ahead on a partial breakaway. Kevin Davis caught up to the Gulls rookie, wrapping him up with both arms and bringing him to the ice as Kindopp released a shot.
Kindopp began his penalty shot attempt at center ice, carrying the puck in on the wing and swinging toward the front of his net. The quick wrist shot beat Justus Annunen and deflected off the post and in for his 10th goal of the season.
His successful penalty shot is the fourth in team history and first since Kiefer Sherwood scored on San Jose's Zachary Sawchenko on Jan. 31, 2020.
Kindopp also scored in a second straight game. His 10 goals are tied with teammate Benoit Olivier-Groulx for 10th among all American Hockey League rookie skaters.
Second Period Recap
Colorado maintained its one-goal lead through the middle frame despite several quality chances from San Diego.
The first flurry came with almost eight minutes gone in the middle frame. Matt Lorito received a cross-ice pass and fired a one-timed shot that a sliding Justus Annunen stopped. The Gulls collected the rebound and quickly played it back in front, but the Colorado netminder stopped Andrew Agozzino's bid.
Agozzino would push for the tying goal again, looking to even the score with a shorthanded tally. Annunen once again rose to the challenge, turning aside the veteran twice before Agozzino sent his third attempt just high of the top of the net.
The Colorado netminder stopped all 12 of San Diego's shots in the middle frame. He's made 15 saves through 40 minutes.
First Period Recap
Sampo Ranta opened the scoring at 7:40 of the opening frame, the beneficiary of a good bounce to record his fourth goal of the season.
Keaton Middleton floated a puck from the point toward the net, and his shot hit Ranta in front. The puck fluttered over the unsuspecting Dostal and into the back of the net for the game's first goal.
Middleton continues to torment the Gulls. The defenseman collected his fourth assist (and point) in the last three games.
He entered the series with two points in 19 games.
Josh Mahura evened the score with 5:51 left in the first period.
Andrew Poturalski fed the defenseman from behind the goal line, sending a pass back up to the slot. Mahura wasted no time loading up a shot, sneaking the puck through the cutting Poturalski and past Annunen for his sixth goal of the season.
Poturalski continues to pace the American Hockey League in both assists and points (9-33=42).
Ryan Wagner received his own break, putting Colorado ahead with 3:01 left in the period. Colorado defenseman Kyle Burroughs slapped a cross-ice pass to Wagner, but it never hit Wagner's stick, instead bouncing off his skate and past Dostal for the left wing's fifth goal of the season.
Dostal entered tonight with a 14-9-0 record, 2.91 goals against average (GAA) and a .916 save percentage (SV%). Dostal ranks second among American Hockey League goaltenders in saves (722), third in wins and fourth in SV%.
Annunen received a second consecutive start for Colorado. The rookie netminder made his AHL debut last night, stopping 24-of-27 shots in the loss.
Tonight is the final game of the regular season for these two teams. San Diego will finish third in the Pacific Division and open their Pacific Division Semifinal series against the Bakersfield Condors on Friday, May 21.
With a win tonight, Colorado can clinch the fourth seed in the division.