Giovanni Fiore scored with 2.8 seconds left in regulation to give the San Diego Gulls a 3-2 victory over the Ontario Reign on Friday evening in Ontario, their third win in nine games.
The goal was the latest game-winning goal in regulation for the Gulls in their three seasons in the American Hockey League.
“This was huge,” said Fiore, who had given the Gulls a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal one minute, 26 seconds into the third period. “We needed that one.”
The Reign had tied the score with 25 seconds left on Kevin Gravel’s power-play goal when they had six skaters to the Gulls four after coach Mike Stothers pulled goaltender Cal Petersen for an extra attacker.
Following a scoreless first period, Ontario (8-8-0-1) opened the scoring 3:04 into the second period at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Stepan Falkovsky’s goal.
The Gulls, last in the AHL’s eight-team Pacific Division, tied the score 1:14 later on Scott Sabourin’s first goal in his 15 games with the team this season.
The Gulls (8-10-1-0) were held scoreless in the first period for the ninth time in their past 11 games.
The Gulls were outshot, 37-31, including an 18-7 disadvantage in the second period. The Gulls have been outshot 14 of their last 16 games.
Reto Berra (2-2-0-0) made 34 saves for his first victory in three games since being reassigned to the Gulls Nov. 24 by the Anaheim Ducks, their NHL parent team.
Petersen (4-4-0-0) made 28 saves for the Reign, the Los Angeles Kings AHL affiliate.
The Gulls allowed one goal in four power-play opportunities. The Gulls have allowed 10 power-play goals in their past six games.
The Gulls are last in penalty killing in the 30-team AHL at 74.7 percent. The Toronto Marlies, the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ AHL affiliate, lead the league with a 90.7 percentage.
The Gulls scored on one of four power-play opportunities. Their power play is the best in the AHL, scoring 23.8 percent of the time.
Center Ryan White was involved in the second fight in his five games with the Gulls, brawling with Ontario defenseman Jonathan Racine 6:10 into the first period. White and Racine both received five-minute major penalties for fighting.
White also received a two-minute minor penalty for instigating and his second 10-minute misconduct of the season. Racine also received a two- minute penalty for boarding.
The Gulls will play the third game of their five-game road trip Tuesday against the Milwaukee Admirals, the Nashville Predators AHL affiliate, in Milwaukee.
— City News Service