The San Diego Gulls saw their season-opening six-game win streak snapped Friday in a 5-1 road loss to the Bakersfield Condors.
Yet San Diego still leads the American Hockey League in wins (6) and points (12).
“Tonight’s one of those games you understand you can’t rely on your goaltender every night to bail you out,” said Gulls head coach Kevin Dineen. “We’ve been giving up a lot of quality chances and our goaltender has been rock solid so we need to play a more complete game.”
The Condors scored three first-period goals. Luke Esposito opened the scoring with his second goal of the season against San Diego.
“We got down by three goals early and we weren’t able to battle back. I think it’s a good learning lesson for us. We got to come to play. We’ve got to start with the lead in these games,” Gulls forward Sam Carrick said.
Carrick put San Diego on the board midway through the second period. Jacob Perreault caused a Bakersfield turnover just inside the San Diego blue line, allowing Carrick to grab the puck and skate ahead on a breakaway at the 11:42 mark of the middle frame.
The Condors put the game away with two third period goals just 14 seconds apart. Ryan McLeod scored the first on a deflected point shot and former Gull Adam Cracknell recorded the second on a breakaway.
San Diego plays the Colorado Eagles at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at FivePoint Arena, airing on FOX 5 San Diego.