The San Diego Gulls fell victim to a bad bounce, an empty net goal and a goal with nine seconds to play in a 4-0 loss to the Stockton Heat on Wednesday at Stockton.
The Gulls trailed 1-0 entering the third period on Derek Grant’s first- period goal.
Stockton, the Calgary Flames American Hockey League affiliate, increased its lead to 2-0, when Gulls defenseman Shea Theodore attempted to carry the puck around his own net, but it deflected off goalie John Gibson’s skate into the net.
The goal with 11 minutes, 48 seconds left was credited to Freddie Hamilton, the Heat player closest to the play.
Gulls coach Dallas Eakins pulled Gibson with 4:48 to play. Blair Riley scored an empty-net goal with 1:14 later.
Grant scored his second goal of the game with nine seconds left.
Goalie Kevin Poulin stopped all 21 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season for Stockton (4-5-0-2).
Gibson stopped 36 of the 39 shots he faced.
— City News Service
