LIVE: Gulls Season Ends In OT Loss
May 5, 2022By AJ Manderichio/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls fell to the Ontario Reign 3-2 in overtime of their Game 2 matchup at Toyota Arena.
T.J. Tyan scored the series-clinching goal, tallying a power-play goal at 2:31 of the extra session. Ontario wins the First Round series, 2-0.
Third Period Recap
Lukas Dostal forced overtime in this do-or-die Game 2 for the Gulls, making a big save on Vladimir Tkachev with just under three minutes left in regulation. The Russian center had a chance in front, holding the puck while looping pass the crease. Dostal stuck with him the whole way, using the pad to turn him aside.
Brent Gates Jr. made a key play late as well, smothering a loose puck that sat dangerously behind Dostal and inches away from crossing the goal line.
Second Period Recap
Greg Printz cut the deficit in half with a shorthanded goal in the middle frame.
The rookie forward started the scoring play, collecting a loose puck in his own end and firing a pass through the neutral zone to Danny O'Regan. The veteran center found himself all alone, and tried to push a backhand chance by Reign netminder Matthew Villalta. He couldn't tuck home the puck, but Printz followed up, crashing the crease and pushing it over the line for his first professional postseason goal.
Gates Jr. tied the game with 5.8 seconds left in the period with a power-play goal.
With time ticking down in the middle frame, Nikolas Brouillard found Lucas Elvenes with a pass at the top of the faceoff circle. The center moved down the wing, faking a shot before feeding a cross-ice pass to Gates Jr. The Grand Rapids, MI native didn't miss his one-timed shot, firing it past the outstretched Villalta for his first professional postseason goal.
An identified key heading into the series, San Diego is winning the special teams battle tonight. In addition to their shorthanded and power-play goals, the Gulls have held the Reign scoreless on their three man-advantage opportunities.
First Period Recap
Akil Thomas opened the scoring at 4:09 of the first period, collecting his third goal of the series to put Ontario in the driver's seat.
Thomas Hickey carried a puck below the goal line, finding an open Thomas at the near post. The center collected the pass and beat Dostal to the far side.
Christian Wolanin pushed the lead to two just 1:15 later, beating Dostal with a shot from the low point for his first goal of the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs.