PREVIEW: Gulls, Silver Knights Clash In Battle For Playoff Positioning | San Diego Gulls

Apr 19, 2022

By AJ Manderichio/SanDiegoGulls.com

The chase is on.

One recreation after punching their ticket to the postseason, the San Diego Gulls head to Greenback Mortgage Middle to face a Henderson Silver Knights crew sitting forward of them within the Pacific Division standings (7 p.m. PT; TV: AHL TV; RADIO: Gulls Audio Community).

The groups maintain the ultimate two spots within the division, separated by 9 factors. San Diego holds two video games in hand and earned factors in every of the earlier seven matchups with Henderson this season (6-0-0-1). The Gulls outscored Henderson 30-11 (excluding shootout objectives) in these seven matchups.

“We all know the playoffs are coming round, and I do know from expertise you possibly can’t simply flip the change on and off,” Gulls assistant coach Max Talbot mentioned. “So for us, it is simply proceed constructing. I do know we misplaced 5 in a row, however it’s not like we must always really feel down on ourselves a lot, as a result of it is a course of and we have nonetheless executed some good issues throughout these 5 video games.

“So preserve constructing, preserve working, continue learning, particularly getting that playoff mindset and depth proper now, and constructing that for what’s to come back.”

The 5 losses included three in opposition to the rival Ontario Reign, a collection which noticed the Gulls rating three objectives in three video games.

“We simply want to scrub up our offense somewhat bit; our execution,” Gulls ahead Greg Printz mentioned. “Work on scoring some extra objectives as a result of we had an excellent run there. I feel we have been getting nearly three-and-a-half objectives a recreation, so if we are able to begin to decide that again up once more – our protection is fairly good – I feel we’ll begin to flip it round and win some video games right here.”

To kickstart the offense, the Gulls will look to Alex Limoges, who paces his crew in manufacturing in opposition to Henderson with 5-4=9 factors. Lucas Elvenes recorded factors in 5 of six video games (1-4=5) performed in opposition to the Silver Knights since being claimed on waivers by Anaheim on Jan. 11. As well as, 13 totally different Gulls discovered the again of the web within the earlier seven video games,

Key to their success in opposition to Henderson is San Diego’s energy play, which is 9-for-30 (30%) within the three-game collection.

“The facility play has been good in opposition to them,” Talbot mentioned. “We have saved it quite simple; that’s when we have now our most success. Maintaining it less complicated and crashing the web. We additionally know that they’ve some good younger gamers that got here from the NCAA. That late within the season, it is about us, our recreation. It isn’t a lot about them – after all we scout them, we all know what they’re doing and we make small changes, however it’s actually to play the Gulls recreation, the sport that introduced us success this 12 months.”

A part of these new additions included the highly-touted Brendan Brisson, who not too long ago made his American Hockey League debut following a stellar profession at The College of Michigan. On prime of his 21-21=42 factors with the Wolverines, Brisson additionally scored twice for Group USA on the Olympic Video games Beijing 2022. 

The rookie scored his first skilled aim in his debut on Apr. 13 in opposition to Stockton and continues to search out success. He has factors in all three video games, together with a career-high 1-2=3 level efficiency on Saturday in opposition to the Warmth.

He’s helped Henderson to a five-game level streak (4-0-0-1) and factors in all three of their matchups with the division-leading Warmth.

“It is going to be good to see a unique crew,” Talbot mentioned. “Getting some wins, as a participant you’re feeling good while you get some wins. We have been enjoying somewhat annoyed, particularly within the final recreation. All of it works in the identical route. You are enjoying the fitting approach, you are preparing for the playoffs, targeted on Henderson, you play higher, you get a win, after which it is all a part of the method.”