Gulls Continue Downward Spiral

The Phoenix Roadrunners defeated the visiting Gulls, 5-3, Saturday handing them their eighth loss in a row. Five of the past eight losses have been by a single goal.

The Gulls (24-30-7) have also lost seven consecutive times at Phoenix and are now in fourth place in the Western Division of the IHL.

Phoenix improved to 29-25-5 to remain in third place in the West behind first-place Peoria and second-place Salt Lake City.

Phoenix’s Stephane Richer opened the scoring in the first period, and Rod Dallman of the Gulls tied it.

Phoenix then took a 3-1 lead on goals by Richer and Sylvian Coutrier, which came 55 seconds apart. Coutrier, who has 38 goals this season, has scored 17 of them against the Gulls, including three game-winners.

Gull Larry Floyd scored his 17th goal to make it 3-2, but Phoenix got goals from Kyosti Karjalainen and Bryan Lawton to open the third period and put the game out of reach. Ron Duguay scored the Gulls’ final goal.

Phoenix outshot the Gulls, 42-36. Mario Gosselin saved 33 of 36 shots to pick up the victory in goal.