With four games left in the regular season the Gulls knew they had control over whether or not they make the playoffs. If they get 7 points, which is 3 wins and an overtime loss, they're guaranteed a spot no matter what anyone else (meaning San Jose, Tucson, or Colorado) does.
The first of their final four couldn’t have gone much better.
San Diego scored three times in the first period and rolled the Ontario Reign 6-1 on Friday night in front of 10,708 fans at Pechanga Arena.
Sam Carrick was, as he’s been all year, tremendous. The veteran forward scored a pair of goals to become the first Gull to score 30 in a season. He also had an assist to set a new franchise single-season points record.
On this particular night he had plenty of offensive help.
Corey Tropp got the scoring started just 93 seconds into the game when he out-hustled the Ontario defense, stole the puck from goalie Peter Budaj, and snuck it into an open net for his 19th goal of the year. Luke Gazdic scored a minute later and Carrick got the first of his two before the end of the 1st period.
Justin Kloos and Chase De Leo scored in the 2nd period to make it a 5-0 game and goalie Kevin Boyle took it from there, stopping 34 of the 35 shots he faced. It was one of the most complete games the team has played this season.
Their final home game of the regular season is Wednesday night against San Jose, the team they’re trying to catch for 2nd place in the Pacific Division. After that they play two more, both in Tucson against the Roadrunners, who are trying to catch San Diego for 3rd place.
