Kansas City Gives Gulls Third Consecutive Loss : Hockey: Late goal in first period, two in second saddle Hoffort with loss.

After starting Bruce Hoffort in the nets for the past two games, the Gulls now know why the NHL Philadelphia Flyers sent their goalie to the International Hockey League.

He needs work.

Hoffort now has allowed 10 goals in his two starts since joining the Gulls and in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Blades in front of 3,174 at Kemper Arena, Hoffart allowed two crucial goals during the second period, a period in which the Gulls outshot the Blades, 14-7.

“It’s really frustrating to dominate a period like we did the second and still get outscored, 2-0,” Gull Coach Don Waddell said. “We just didn’t get the big save when we needed it.”

For the game, Kansas City outshot the Gulls, 33-26.

After winning their opener, the Gulls have lost three in a row. Kansas City, which finished last in the IHL’s six-team Western Division a year ago, improved to 3-0.

Wednesday’s game might have been lost before the second period got under way.

Leading 2-1 and with only three seconds remaining in the first period, Kansas City gave the Gulls something to think about during intermission as Gary Emmons scored his second goal of the night.

“We came out really slow, but it looked like we were going to get out of the first period in good shape,” Waddell said. “However, that goal with three seconds remaining really set us back.”

The Gulls’ only goal of the first two periods was scored by last year’s team MVP, Larry Floyd. It was his first of the year.

The Gulls did not find the nets again until Kansas City had put in five goals of its own. With two minutes remaining, Brent Sapergia scored his third of the year.

Len Hachborn got the assist and became the only Gull to contribute to the scoring in each of the team’s first four games.