Gulls Beat Phoenix in OT

Dmitri Kvartalnov scored his IHL-leading 15th and 16th goals of the season to boost the Gulls to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Roadrunners Wednesday in front of 4,459 at Phoenix’s Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Kvartalnov scored the game-winner 19 seconds into the extra period.

The Gulls (9-8, third in the West) have won eight of their past 12 to move to within five points of first-place Kansas City.

Ron Duguay gave the Gulls the lead 58 seconds into the game by scoring his first goal of the year since rejoining the team three games ago.

The Gulls increased their lead 12 minutes into the period as Len Hachborn scored his seventh of the season on an assist from Kvartalnov.

Phoenix answered with 29 seconds left in the first period when Scott Bjugstad was credited with an unassisted goal. Marc Saumier tied it, 2-2, midway through the second period.

But the Gulls regained the lead early in the final period as Hachborn sent Kvartalnov on a successful breakaway opportunity.

The victory seemed sealed when, with three minutes remaining, Phoenix was hit with a penalty and had to play a man short.

But the Gulls failed to score and instead looked on as Bjugstad scored a short-handed goal.

That forced the overtime, which Kvartalnov ended in 19 seconds with the quickest goal to start a period in Gull history.

The old record was 20 seconds set last season by Dennis Holland.

Again, Kvartalnov’s winning goal came on a breakaway started by Hachborn, who scooped up a loose puck near his blue line, spotted his linemate streaking up ice and sent a long pass Kvartalnov’s way.

The Gulls start a two-game home series with Kansas City (11-2-1) tonight at 7:05 at the Sports Arena. The second game is Saturday.