Gull’s Playoff Hopes Narrow After Loss

The Gulls slipped closer to elimination from the International Hockey League playoffs with a 7-3 loss to the Phoenix Roadrunners in front of 9,235 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum Friday.

The Gulls, who entered the contest three points behind fourth-place Milwaukee in the race for the final playoff spot, couldn’t capitalize while the Admirals also lost, 3-2, at home to Peoria.

The Gulls must win their last two games of the regular season--tonight and Sunday night against second-place Salt Lake City at the San Diego Sports Arena--and hope for two losses by Milwaukee.

The Gulls (30-43-8) currently are in fifth place in the IHL West with 68 points. The Admirals (34-43-3) have 71 points and the easier schedule this weekend. They play at East Division leader Kalamazoo tonight but play host Kansas City--the last-place team in the IHL West--Sunday.

The Gulls trailed only 1-0 to the Roadrunners after the first period and were behind two, 5-3, after a wild second period. But they were shut out in the third as Sean Whyte and Stephane Richer iced the victory with goals. Whyte finished with two goals and Richer added two assists to lead the Roadrunners, who have clinched third place in the Western Division and a playoff berth.

The lone bright spot for the Gulls was a two-goal performance by Dennis Holland, who returned to the team along with Derek Meyer (one assist) from Adirondak of the American Hockey League. Holland tied Larry Floyd for the team lead in goals with 24.

Gull goalie Alain Chevrier started and yielded three goals before giving way to Scott Brower at 1:32 in the second period.