San Jose Barracuda can’t keep up with the San Diego Gulls on Fri Feb 11, 2022 at Pachanga Arena in San Diego (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Gulls did just enough to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 4-2 on Friday evening at the Pechanga Arena San Diego.

San Jose has lost a season worst six games in a row. San Diego has won two out of its past three games.

The opening 20 minutes was deadlocked at zero as teams looked like they had a week off as they used the first period to shake off of some of the rust in their first game back since the all-star break.

Both teams found their legs in a wild second period that featured a combined five goals.

San Diego (15-20-2-0) drew first blood early in the middle frame. Hunter Drew scored his seventh goal of the season at the 2:38 mark. Jack Badini and Jacob Larsson help set up the game’s opening goal.

San Jose (14-25-1-0) answered back on the next shift just 21 seconds later. Adam Raska set up Evan Weinger who scored his eighth goal of the season at the 2:59 mark.

The game went back and forth as all five goals were scored before the midway mark of the period.

The Gulls regained the lead when Brent Gates Jr. scored his third goal of the season at the 4:27 mark. Vinni Lettieri and Brendan Guhle were credited with helpers.

The Barracuda responded under four minutes later when Jayden Halbgewachs scored his 12th goal of the season at the 8:02 mark. Jasper Weatherby received the only assist on Halbgewachs’ goal.

Halbgewachs has scored a goal in four straight contests.

San Diego answered back immediately as Gates Jr. scored his second goal of the game just 17 seconds later at the 8:19 mark. Kodie Curran and former ‘Cuda defenseman Trevor Carrick set up Gates Jr. fourth goal of the season.

San Jose tried for the equalizer late in the third period when they pulled goalie Alexei Melnichuk for an extra attacker, but San Diego held down the fort as time expired.

Greg Printz iced the game for San Diego with an empty net goal, his fifth of the season, with 43 seconds remaining in the game.

Gulls’ goalie Lukas Dostal had an impressive evening in between the pipes as he stopped 43 of the 45 shots he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk made 18 saves on 21 shots in suffering the loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. San Diego was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gates Jr. 2) Dostal 3) Drew

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host San Diego on Wednesday 2/16 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.