Gulls Earn Point, Fall 5-4 To Henderson In Overtime

Apr 25, 2021

The San Diego Gulls extended their point streak to four games (3-0-1-0) despite dropping a 5-4 overtime contest to the Henderson Silver Knights tonight at FivePoint Arena. San Diego leads the Pacific Division in wins (22), points (45) and goals scored (126). 

"I think it was entertaining, there was a lot of offense, a lot of back-and-forth, but that’s not the way we’ve had success over the last couple months," head coach Kevin Dineen said following the loss. "When we played a little more detailed to our defensive game, our offense takes care of itself and our offense was pretty dynamic as always. When we don’t play solid defense, we leave the game up to chance and it goes to overtime. An entertaining game, but we would’ve liked a different outcome."

Henderson opened the scoring exactly a minute into the first period. Danny O’Regan beat Gulls netminder Olle Eriksson Ek with a sharp angle shot for his second goal in as many nights.

The visitor’s early advantage was short-lived, however, as the Gulls’ red-hot power play continued to produce. Josh Mahura started the play with a nifty zone entry, sending a pass to Chase De Leo along the left wing wall. Mahura followed his pass up, receiving the puck back from De Leo before sliding a setup feed to Agozzino on the backdoor for his 12th goal of the season. 

Agozzino’s 60th career power-play goal extended his goal and point streaks to three games (3-2=5). The veteran center leads the American Hockey League in power-play goals (7).

With an assist, De Leo also extended his point streak to three games (0-3=3). The La Mirada, CA native has points in 10 of his last 11 games (5-10=15) and leads the AHL in power-play points (6-7=13).

The back-and-forth action continued in the second period as the teams combined for six goals on 18 shots.

Cody Glass put Henderson back in the lead at the 5:01 mark of the second period, converting a centering pass from Lucas Elvenes for his third goal of the season.

Just over a minute later, Trevor Zegras buried a rebound opportunity to pull San Diego even. Simon Benoit held the puck along the blue line before firing a wrist shot on net. The initial bid was blocked before reaching the crease, but the puck bounced directly to Zegras, who quickly whipped it past Dansk.

With the goal, Zegras extended his point streak to three games (2-3=5). Zegras ranks second among AHL rookies in points per game (1.24, min. 10 games played).

The Gulls claimed their first lead of the evening as a result of a fortunate bounce in front of the Silver Knights’ goal. After the Knights won a defensive zone faceoff, Henderson defenseman Jake McLaughlin’s clearing attempt deflected off Vinni Lettieri and by an unsuspecting Dansk to put San Diego ahead 3-2 at the 8:49 mark of the middle period.

Lettieri scored in each of his past three games (3-0=3). The first-year Gull paces the club in points per game (1.35).

San Diego’s lead, much like the first two Henderson advantages, did not last long. Just over a minute later, Elvenes brought Henderson back even, deflecting home a point shot by Brayden Pachal to level the score at three.

The back-to-back scoring trend reached an extreme late in the middle frame as the clubs struck eight seconds apart to enter the second intermission deadlocked at four.

Alex Limoges gave the Gulls a temporary one-goal edge with his fourth goal of the season. The former Penn State captain collected a loose puck along the goal line and had his initial attempt blocked but followed the puck up, roofing a backhand bid over Dansk’s shoulder to put the Gulls ahead 4-3.

The rookie center has 3-1=4 points in his last four games.

O’Regan answered right back with his second goal, sneaking through the San Diego defense and beating Eriksson Ek with a quick wrist shot under the glove.

Dansk exited the game following Henderson’s fourth goal and did not return. Jiri Patera replaced him in net and stopped all seven San Diego shots he faced in relief.

The teams traded chances throughout the third period, but neither could find the go-ahead goal.

Eriksson Ek denied Glass on a breakaway with two minutes remaining in regulation.

The teams began overtime with 1:29 remaining in an interference minor against Greg Printz. San Diego killed the penalty off, but couldn’t quite get back to full strength as Pavel Dorofeyev swept home the game-winning goal before Printz could rejoin the play.

"This one leaves a little taste in your mouth that 'should have, could have,'" Dineen said. "We played very well here at home and wanted to continue that streak here as we get down in the single digits of the season. Every point counts. We get a point but at the end of it, we feel like we might have left one on the table."

Dorofeyev and Elvenes had a game-high three points (1-2=3) in Henderson’s 5-4 victory.

Eriksson Ek stopped 39-of-44 Henderson shots in the loss.

The Gulls return to action next weekend with a back-to-back set against the Tucson Roadrunners at FivePoint Arena.