San Diego Gulls: Trevor Zegras shines in 4-3 win over Condors

Looking to sweep the two-game set against Bakersfield, the San Diego Gulls received another excellent effort from 2019 first-round pick Trevor Zegras in the win.

Following up on their season opener on Friday night, the San Diego Gulls aimed to sweep their two-game set against Bakersfield before meeting the Ontario Reign on Wednesday. The Gulls took the first game by a 4-1 score, tallying four unanswered goals. Here’s how the chips fell in game two.

The Condors came out on fire, leading the effort in shots on net before Seth Griffith gave Bakersfield the early 1-0 advantage just 1:35 into the game. Until approximately halfway through the first period, it was all Bakersfield in terms of shots on net, with Lukas Dostal making back-to-back starts for San Diego between the pipes. The turning point came after Jacob Perrault finished serving a two-minute minor for slashing, and the Gulls offense went to work.

Chase De Leo scored his second goal in as many days at the 12:29 mark of the first period — a difficult shot from the right side of Condors goalie Olivier Rodrigue to even the score at one goal apiece. After De Leo’s goal, the tide shifted significantly in San Diego’s favor, with Alex Dostie feeding a beautiful pass to 2020 sixth overall pick Jamie Drysdale in open-ice. Drysdale did the rest on a breakaway, scoring his first professional goal and becoming the youngest in Gulls history to score a goal.

JAMIE DRYSDALE

2-1 #LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/1RLuqsq45w

— East Village Times (@EVT_News) February 7, 2021

Much like the first period, Bakersfield controlled the puck, registering the first four shots of the middle frame, before Cooper Marody evened the score for the Condors. However, just 1:10 later, Gulls’ captain Sam Carrick deflected a beautiful pass from Trevor Zegras into the back of the net, giving San Diego the lead again.

As for Zegras, aside from his assist on Carrick’s goal, he also collected his second goal in as many games – a powerplay goal from the right dot, extending the Gulls lead to a two-score game.

“I think our power play was going really well in the preseason games,” Zegras said after the second period. “I mean, obviously, to have a good team, you have to have a good power play, and I think we have two solid units, and it was nice to get one there.”

TREVOR ZEGRAS

PPG from the right dot. Great goal. Even better celly. 4-2 #LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/XcQIMScMON

— East Village Times (@EVT_News) February 7, 2021

In the third period, the Condors continued to apply pressure, peppering Dostal with shot after shot, breaking through on Theodor Lennstrom’s snipe from the high slot at nearly the 4:30 mark to make it a one score game.

The Gulls had a couple of good scoring chances, but Bakersfield predominantly controlled the puck in the third period, outshooting San Diego 15-6 in the final frame. And Lukas Dostal preserved the 4-3 lead with an excellent save with under five minutes to play.

Dostal with the save of the game on a delayed penalty. Gulls still lead 4-3. #LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/vT3aJxskIB

— East Village Times (@EVT_News) February 7, 2021

Bakersfield pulled the goalie with 1:09 left in regulation, and the puck essentially stayed in the Gulls zone for the remainder of the game. However, a late defensive zone clear as time ran out secured San Diego’s win and a 2-0-0 start to the 2021 season.

“I thought our goalie kept us in the game, for sure,” Gulls captain Sam Carrick said after the game. “He was huge. It was nice to get the win. We’ll take any win we can get. You know, we have some things we have to clean up. At the end of the day, it’s two wins – two huge wins. In the shortened season, all these points matter.”

As noted, San Diego will have a few days off before squaring off against the Ontario Reign on Wednesday.

Ryan Sikes

Padres writer/editor for East Village Times. LA Kings writer/editor for Hockey Royalty. IBWAA member.