Gulls Maintain Road Edge, Beat Blades

The Gulls, who continue to be one of the International Hockey League’s best road teams, defeated the Kansas City Blades, 3-1, in front of 10,041 at Kemper Arena Saturday.

The Gulls (11-9-2), second in the Western Division with 24 points, are 6-0-1 in their past seven road games, 6-2-1 overall.

This was the second consecutive victory for the Gulls, in the middle of a six-game road trip, their longest of the season. Kansas City fell to 4-17-1, last in the Western Division.

The Gulls were led by goalie Alain Chevrier, making his first start since being sent down by the Detroit Red Wings, who stopped 18 of 19 shots. Dennis Holland had two assists, giving him 18 points in his last eight games.

Darrin Smith scored at 2:13 of the first period to give the Blades a 1-0 lead, marking the 17th time in 22 games that the Gulls have given up the first goal. But Derek Mayer, with assists from Holland and Brent Sapergia, tied the game, 1-1, later in the period.

Holland then assisted on Robbie Nichols’ goal, one of two power-play goals by the Gulls in the second period after Kansas City’s Troy Frederick received a major penalty for boarding. Nichols scored the second goal of the power play off an assist from Taylor Hall.

Mike Gober scored the other goal at 19:29, getting assists from Mayer and Darcy Norton.

The Gulls outshot the Blades, 20-5, in the second period and 29-19 in game. The Gulls also gained ground on the Peoria Rivermen, who lead the Western Division. The Rivermen lost for the second consecutive night, falling to the Milwaukee Admirals, 1-0, in overtime.