Matt Hackett stopped all 37 shots he faced and Zac Larraza had a goal and an assist as the San Diego Gulls defeated the San Jose Barracuda, 4-0, Sunday at Valley View Casino Center for their fourth consecutive victory following a five-game winless streak.
The shutout was the seventh in Hackett’s seven professional seasons, including the playoffs. He had one shutout in both the regular season and Calder Cup playoffs last season.
“That was the best performance I’ve ever seen from him,” Gulls coach Dallas Eakins said. “He kept us in the game with some timely saves. Without him we aren’t on the winning end tonight.”
The Gulls (6-5-1-0) killed all four of San Jose’s power-play opportunities before a crowd announced at 7,931. Larraza opened the scoring seven minutes, 30 seconds into the first period when he banked in a rebound off the boards past Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick for his third goal of the season.
Corey Tropp tapped in a rebound of a shot by Andy Welinski at 17:12 of the first period.
Austen Brassard scored his first goal as a Gull at 11:12 of the second period, off assists by Nick Tarnasky and Larraza. Brassard was playing his fifth game with the team after signing a professional tryout agreement on Nov. 5.
Kalle Kossila scored on the Gulls lone power-play opportunity at 6:38 of the third period. Grosenick made 21 saves for the Barracuda (5-4-0 2), the San Jose Sharks American Hockey League affiliate.
Gulls right wing Scott Sabourin and Barracuda defenseman Jacob Middleton both drew five-minute major penalties for their fight at 12:27 of the second period. Sabourin also received a two-minute minor penalty for roughing.
The Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate, will begin a four-game road trip Tuesday when they make their first trip to Tucson. The Gulls defeated the Roadrunners, the Arizona Coyotes AHL affiliate, 5-3, to open the season Oct. 14.
The Gulls will next play at the Valley View Casino Center Nov. 30, also against the Roadrunners.
— City News Service
