Suchanek, De Leo Make History In 7-0 Rout In Rockford
Dec 8, 2023By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com
It was a historic night at BMO Center for the San Diego Gulls, as they matched the franchise record for largest margin of victory with a 7-0 romp of the Rockford IceHogs Friday night.
At 20 years, seven months and eight days old, Tomas Suchanek became the youngest Gulls goaltender to post a shutout, passing Gage Alexander (Mar. 10, 2023 vs. HSK; 20 years, eight months, eight days). Suchanek’s four games are also the fewest appearances for a Gulls goaltender to record a shutout. He stopped all 21 shots to earn his second consecutive win and third in four starts (3-0-1).
"It feels pretty good," Suchanek said. "I’m really blessed to be on this team and play with these guys. They played really unreal in front of me, and they made the job really easy for me today."
Chase De Leo earned three assists on the night (0-3=3), giving him 91 in his Gulls career. He surpassed Kalle Kossila for third-most assists in Gulls AHL history and now sits two shy of tying Corey Tropp for second-most (93) and four from tying Sam Carrick (95) for the most all-time.
"It’s awesome," De Leo said. "If you’re not first, you’re last, though, so still got a little ways to go. I’d like to beat those other guys. Obviously, I’m buddies with them that are ahead of me.
"My goal here is to get us back to playoff hockey, winning as many games as possible. Team success leads to personal success."
The Gulls have now won three of their last four games (3-1-0-0) and earned standings points in five of their last six (4-1-1-0).
"It felt like a very complete team effort," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "I think it was a mature game by us. And I don't think we gave them a ton. Of course, we know the Chicago system here in Rockford has a lot of skill, and we're going to have to be limiting them. But, you know, I thought from a team effort perspective, it's a solid effort."
Andrew Agozzino continued to be a road warrior, scoring two unanswered goals in the opening frame. He deposited his first halfway through the period, a snipe on the power play that beat Drew Commesso glove side. Five minutes later, Jacob Perreault found him backdoor for an easy goal.
Agozzino has four goals so far this road trip and all six of his goals this season have come on the road. He now leads Gulls skaters in scoring (6-13=19).
The scoring party continued into the second period, as Perreault added to the lead with a goal of his own, giving him his fifth multi-point effort of the campaign. Nathan Gaucher scored a minute and 20 seconds later, his third goal in his last four games. Gaucher’s goal chased Commesso, the second consecutive game that San Diego has forced the starting goaltender out.
Judd Caulfield beat the clock to end the second, scoring with a second left to push the lead to five. Caulfield, Gaucher and Brayden Tracey ran it right back to start the third, and Tracey was rewarded with his third goal of the season 23 seconds into the final frame. Caulfield (1-1=2) and Gaucher (1-2=3) both ended the night with their first multi-point games of their professional careers.
Ben King scored the seventh goal for San Diego, a power-play tally, to secure the historic margin of victory.
"We started by putting a lot of pressure on them and finding some success through our pressure, be able to get pucks back," McIlvane said. "And then it's fun to watch the offense start from there and see us take advantage of some rushes, take advantage of some offensive zone time. It's fun to watch."
Glenn Gawdin and Nikita Nesterenko also picked up assists in the contest.
The San Diego Gulls wrap up their five-game road trip against the IceHogs at BMO Center Saturday night (5 p.m. PST) before returning home to face the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Pechanga Arena San Diego (6 p.m. PST).