The San Diego Gulls allowed the first four goals in a 6-2 loss to the Texas Stars Wednesday evening at Valley View Casino Center.
Curtis McKenzie had a three-goal hat trick and two assists for the Stars (5-6-0-1) before a crowd announced at 7,138.
Both Gulls goals came on the power play. Defenseman Andy Welinski scored 17 minutes, 53 seconds into the second period and left wing Giovanni Fiore at 5:24 of the third.
McKenzie scored a power-play goal at 11:21 of the second period and an even-strength goal 1:41 later. He completed his hat trick with a power-play goal with 7:57 left.
McKenzie assisted on Brian Flynn’s power-play goal 9:42 into the first period that gave Texas a 2-0 lead and Max French’s goal at 1:34 of the third period.
Travis Morin had four assists, assisting on McKenize’s second and third goals along with Flynn’s and French’s.
Right wing Colin Markison opened the scoring 2:58 into the first period for the Stars, the Dallas Stars American Hockey League affiliate.
The Gulls were outshot 35-15, including a 14-7 disadvantage in the first period and 14-4 in the third.
The Gulls (5-4-1-0) scored on two of five power-play opportunities and Texas three of six.
Landon Bow stopped 13 shots for his first victory of the season after two losses. Kevin Boyle made 29 saves for the Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate.
The Gulls will next play Friday against the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate, at Valley View Casino Center.
— City News Service