New Goalie Doesn’t Help Struggling Gulls Break the Ice

The expansion San Diego Gulls, winless since capturing their first game in the International Hockey League, hoped to turn things around with the acquisition of former NHL goalie Glen Hanlon earlier this week.

It didn’t quite work like that Friday at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds Coliseum. The Indianapolis Ice defeated the Gulls, 6-1, in front of 3,190 fans.

“(Hanlon) didn’t get too much support,” Gulls Coach Mike O’Connell said. “But you need big saves to win, and we didn’t get that.”

Hanlon, who began the year with the Detroit Red Wings, saved 16 shots, but allowed the Ice (3-2) to score for the first time in three games only 1:29 into the game. Martin Desjardins scored the first of his two goals off assists from Marty Nanne and Owen Lessard. Sean Williams, who had only one goal in four games, scored a hat trick, the final goal on a power play in the third period.

Bob Jones scored the lone goal for the Gulls (1-4-1), who have outshot their opponent in every game, including 23-22 against the Ice, the defending IHL champion.

“Just mental mistakes again,” O’Connell said. “The mistakes we’re trying to correct are still being made.”

The Gulls play in Fort Wayne, Ind., tonight, before returning to the Sports Arena for a game Tuesday against the Phoenix Roadrunners.