Gulls Come Up Empty in Defeat to Salt Lake

Elation wore off quickly Saturday night for the Gulls.

Fresh off a slide-stopping victory Friday over Indianapolis, the Gulls fell to Salt Lake, 5-0, in front of a crowd of 8,381 at the Salt Palace.

Friday, despite a sloppy third period, the Gulls were able to hold off a late charge by Indianapolis.

Saturday, an eight-minute surge by Salt Lake in the third put the Gulls away. The Golden Eagles (36-22-5) scored four goals in that span to extended its 1-0 lead after two.

“They got a quick goal to make it 2-0, then we started pressing to get it back,” said Gull Coach Mike O’Connell. “We left a couple of openings, and then they capitalized.”

Rich Chernomaz scored his 29th at 10:15 in the first period on the power play for Salt Lake, winner of 12 of its last 13. Martin Simard, Andrew McKim, Tim Sweeney and another goal by McKim silenced the Gulls (25-32-7).

The Gulls took a season-low 15 shots, compared to their previous low of 20, and were 0-for-7 on the power play. They still lead the International Hockey League with 84 goals with a man advantage.

“We played pretty good for 55 minutes, but that doesn’t make a hockey game,” said O’Connell. “But that’s been the story all season.”

Alain Chevrier stopped 30 of the Golden Eagles’ 35 shots. Warren Sharples got the shutout for Salt Lake. It was the Gulls’ fourth consecutive loss to Salt Lake.

Tonight, the Gulls play Peoria at 6:05 in the Sports Arena.