Allsion Burgess
The San Diego Gulls ended with a 6-3 loss against the Stockton Heat Friday night at the Valley View Casino Center.
Stockton started out by scoring in the first 27 seconds of the game, with Brett Findlay finishing a rebound shot by Tyler Wotherspoon. Hunter Shinkaruk later scored a power play goal 6 minutes into the game, bringing Stockton’s lead to 2-0.
In the second period, Gulls players Steve Oleksy and Sam Carrick each made goals, which brought the game to a close score of 3- 2, but Stockton came back with two goals by Morgan Klimchuk and Garnet Hathaway, which ultimately lost the Gulls the game.
Julius Nattinen scored for the Gulls two minutes into the third period, but Stockton player Andrew Mangiapane put a wrist shot past Gulls goalie Leland Irving at eight minutes, which was the final goal.
The Gulls ended up being outshot, 39-26. Irving, Gulls goaltender totaled in 33 saves by the end of the game, when Stockton goaltender David Rittich had 23.
Gulls’ coach Dallas Eakins when interviewed was not at all impressed with their play.
“I think our inexperience shows right now,” Eakins said. “There are a number of players that need to know they are battling for a spot.”
Giovanni Fiore, a left wing for the Gulls, was also frustrated with his team’s play.
“We battled, but then again, we didn’t battle enough,” Fiore said. “Everything we’re doing, it’s just not enough. We need to do a lot more, regularly.”
