The San Diego Gulls capitalized on pulling their goaltender with Corey Tropp scoring the tying goal with one minute, four seconds to play, but their five-game winning streak ended Sunday when they were held scoreless in a shootout in a 3-2 loss to the Ontario Reign at Ontario.
Neither team scored during the five-minute overtime when the Gulls were outshot, 5-1. Ontario goaltender Jack Campbell stopped shots by Kevin Roy, Chris Wagner and Kalle Kossila during the shootout. Jonny Brodzinski scored the only goal during the shootout on the Reign’s opening shot.
In his first game since being injured Nov. 27 at Citizens Business Bank Arena, Gulls left wing Zac Larraza opened the scoring at 17:14 of the first period when he intercepted a pass by Ontario right wing Justin Auger and put a wrist shot past Campbell for his fourth goal of the season.
Ontario (21-9-6-0) tied the score 1:43 later when Brodzinski scored on a slap shot from the hash marks for his 13th goal of the season.
The Pacific Division-leading Reign took a 2-1 lead 9:57 into the second period on Patrick Bjorkstrand’s goal before a crowd at Citizens Business Bank Arena announced at 8,523.
Tropp scored on a rebound of a shot by Brandon Montour.
Rookie Kevin Boyle made 12 of his 26 saves in the third period and overtime for the Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks American Hockey League affiliate. Campbell made 12 of his 30 saves in the third period and overtime for Ontario, the Los Angeles Kings AHL affiliate.
The Gulls (18-12-2-2) killed all three Reign power-play opportunities and were held scoreless on all four of their power-play opportunities.
Despite the loss, the Gulls have earned points in six consecutive games and 10 of the past 11.
The Gulls played without right wing Scott Sabourin who was serving an automatic one-game suspension for receiving an instigating penalty during the final five minutes of Friday’s 5-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda.
The Gulls will resume their five-game road trip Wednesday when they play the first of three games in four nights against the Tucson Roadrunners, the Arizona Coyotes AHL affiliate, at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.
The Gulls next game at Valley View Casino Center will be Feb. 4 against Ontario on Pink in the Rink Night, supporting women’s health. The Gulls will wear commemorative pink jerseys that will be available through live and silent auctions during and after the game. Proceeds will benefit charities supporting women’s health.
— City News Service
