Rookie Kevin Boyle stopped all 22 shots he faced to record the first shutout of his 11-game professional career as the San Diego Gulls ended an eight-game winless streak with a 4-0 victory over the Texas Stars Thursday in Cedar Park, Texas.
Defenseman Andrew Welinski and Stefan Noesen scored in the first period and Jordan Samuels-Thomas and Kalle Kossila in the third for the Gulls (12-11-2- 1).
The Stars, the Dallas Stars American Hockey League affiliate, appeared to end the shutout late in the second period but a review by referee Jared Ragusin determined Gemel Smith’s shot hit the goal post and did not cross the goal line.
The victory improved Boyle’s record to 1-2-2.
Welinski opened the scoring two minutes into the game when his shot from the point beat Texas goaltender Landon Bow.
The goal ended a 197:08 road scoreless streak dating back to Dec. 2.
Noesen, who was assigned to the Gulls by the Anaheim Ducks, their NHL parent team, earlier Thursday, put in a rebound 10:11 into the period for his fourth goal in 19 games with the Gulls this season.
Noesen was playing for the Gulls for the first time since Dec. 6. He has three goals in his last four games with the Gulls.
Following a scoreless second period, Samuels-Thomas was awarded a penalty shot after he was dragged down by Stars center Travis Morin when he was on a breakaway when the Gulls were shorthanded 10:39 into the third period.
Samuels-Thomas put a snap shot over Bow’s shoulder for the Gulls second penalty shot goal in seven attempts in their two seasons in the AHL.
Kossila scored the game’s final goal with 5:42 left off assists by defenseman Brian Cooper and right wing Corey Tropp. The point was Cooper’s first in his three games with the Gulls.
An apparent goal by Chris Wagner with 1:01 to play was disallowed when it was determined he made coincidental contact with Bow.
The Gulls killed all three of Texas’ power-play opportunities and failed to score on their only power-play opportunity.
Bow made 22 saves, including 11 in the second period, for the Stars (15- 12-1-1) before a crowd announced a 6,538 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
The Gulls announced earlier Thursday they had signed goaltender Ryan Faragher to a professional tryout because Dustin Tokarski is day-to-day with a lower body injury, according to Steve Brown, the Gulls communications manager.
Faragher served as Boyle’s backup Thursday. He was 2-3-0 with a 3.71 goals against average in five games with the Gulls last season.
Defenseman Brandon Montour was recalled by the Ducks on Wednesday and made his NHL debut in Anaheim’s 3-1 victory at Calgary Thursday, blocking one shot and taking one shot in 21 shifts, playing 17:54.
Montour shared the Gulls lead in scoring with Tropp entering Thursday’s game with seven goals and 14 assists.
The Gulls and Stars will play again Saturday at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
The Gulls will next play at Valley View Casino Center Jan. 6 against the San Antonio Rampage, the Colorado Avalanche’s AHL affiliate.
—City News Service
