Hahn Close to Agreement to Sell the Gulls : Hockey: Gulls defeat Muskegon, 4-3, in front of season-high crowd.

While the Gulls were beating the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 4-3, in front of a season-high 10,149 at the San Diego Sports Arena Saturday, Ron Hahn denied reports that he had completed a deal to sell the team.

But while the ownership remains in a state of flux, the Gulls strengthened their second-place footing in the West Division of the International Hockey League and snapped a two-game losing streak in front of their second biggest crowd in franchise history.

The Gulls improved to 29-17-5 with 63 points, and moved four points ahead of third-place Peoria. Muskegon fell to 27-17-8.

Hahn, a San Diego developer who heads a group that has agreed to purchase the team and Sports Arena from Harry Cooper, doesn’t own the team.

Yet Hahn took charge of the Gulls’ daily operations in September and will acquire both later this month, when the City Council is expected to approve the transfer of ownership. At that time, Hahn could sell the Gulls to Fred Comrie, 38, owner of Arnold’s Furniture.

Hahn neither confirmed nor denied Comrie as the man, but said he was close to reaching an agreement Saturday. Comrie could not be reached for comment.

“It’s not a done deal yet, in spite of what has been reported,” Hahn said. “I think it will happen, but I never said that (it was final). I’m not confirming names. There were three names, but we’re well along with one.

“I didn’t care whether the team was sold this year or next year, but the right guy’s come along. And he wants to buy the team now.”

Comrie, originally from Edmonton, Canada, is one of three brothers who once owned the Cousins furniture chain in San Diego. Hahn wouldn’t reveal his asking price, but said IHL teams carry a $1.25-million franchise fee.

If it seems like the Gulls are getting passed around like a hot potato, that’s not far from the truth. Cooper brought the team here in 1990 but decided to sell the Gulls and the arena to Hahn when he grew discouraged with his effort to build a new facility.

Hahn said he wanted to sell the team so he can concentrate on developing a new downtown arena to attract NHL and NBA franchises.

Don Waddell, coach, vice president and general manager of the Gulls, said he was unaware of an impending deal.

“I only know there have been interested parties, but I’m not involved with that whatsoever,” Waddell said.

But Hahn insisted that Waddell, who has the Gulls in second place after they finished fourth last year, will stay at the helm.

“The team has been making money for about a month, since the first of the year,” Hahn said. “We’ve been doing real well with advertising and ticket sales. But I never really wanted the team; it’s been fun. But I don’t want to get sidetracked. My main emphasis is on the arena and the NBA and NHL.”

Steve Martinson scored the game-winning goal 7:59 into the third period to break a 3-3 tie. Ray Whitney got his second assist of the night on the goal. The Gulls for the third night in a row took a 2-0 lead on goals by Robbie Nichols (his 20th) and Keith Gretzky. Dmitri Kvartalnov scored his IHL-leading 40th goal in the second period.

“We beared down in the third period,” Waddell said. “It was a good win considering what we’ve been through.”