The San Diego Gulls were shut out for the first time this season in a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Eagles on Friday evening in Loveland, Colorado, their fourth loss in five games.
Rookie left wing Travis Barron put in a rebound to break up a scoreless tie with 10 minutes, 28 seconds to play and A.J. Greer added an empty- net goal with 28 seconds to play as Colorado (11-7-3-1) extended its standings point streak to six games, with two regulation victories, an overtime victory, two shootout victories and a loss in a shootout.
Pavel Francouz (11-4-1-1) stopped all 29 shots he faced for the first shutout in his 18-game North American career. The 28-year-old Francouz is playing in his first season in North America after playing the past three seasons for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League and in his native Czech Republic before that.
The Gulls (8-10-1-1) led in shots, 29-28, including a 14-9 advantage in the second period before a crowd announced at 5,006 at the Budweiser Events Center.
“I thought we played hard,” said Gulls coach Dallas Eakins, whose team remains in last in the American Hockey League’s seven-team Pacific Division.
“It was a hell of a game. After the second period, we talked about that we really thought it was going to be a gritty goal that won the game and that is exactly what they got from their fourth line.”
Jared Coreau (3-5-1-1) made 26 saves, including stopping Andrew Agozzino, the Eagles leading scorer, on two second-period breakaways.
“The challenge has been given and I thought he was real aggressive in his net,” Eakins said. “He looked to be really confident and he gave us saves when we needed them. It was a great duel tonight. Their goalie stood up and made some big saves when they needed it and (Coreau) did the same for us.”
The loss was Coreau’s fourth in his last five decisions for the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate.
Gulls left wing Kalle Kossila had shots hit the goal post twice in the first period. Max Jones and Sam Steel each had good scoring opportunities when the Gulls were on the power play in the third period.
“We had lots of great looks and had a number of guys play really well and really hard,” Eakins said. “It was the response we were looking for and that’s what it’s going to be like against a team like this. It’s going to be close and hard fought and I was excited to see our goaltender play really well.”
The Gulls were scoreless on four power-play opportunities, including an 18-second two-man advantage in the third period when they trailed 1-0. They killed all four of the Eagles power-play opportunities, including one during the final six seconds when the outcome was already decided.
On his only shot, Barron put in a rebound of a shot by Anton Lindholm for his second goal in three games and second in his 13 games this season for the Colorado Avalanche’s AHL affiliate.
Right wing Matt Berry made his 2018-19 debut with the Gulls Friday night, returning to the team he scored three goals and had one assist for in 15 games in the 2015-16 season, its first in the AHL.
Berry was on the ice when Barron scored. He took two shots and was penalized for high-sticking early in the third period.
The Gulls announced earlier Friday they signed Berry to a professional after he scored 13 goals and assisted on nine others in 20 games this season with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. Berry was second in goals and third in points for the Grizzlies, the Avalanche’s ECHL affiliate.
The two teams will play again Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center.
— City News Service
