Kansas City Tops Gulls in Shootout

They lost the game but won a crucial point in a game against West Division leading Kansas City Saturday night.

The Gulls, second in the West, dropped an International Hockey League game, 4-3, in a shootout in front of 14,347 against the Blades (47-15-2).

Trailing 3-1 six minutes into the third period, the Gulls tied it up on goals by Andre Kvartalnov and Robbie Nichols, his 24th of the season.

In the shootout, Darcy Norton and Nichols scored, but Whitney, Andre Kvartalnov and Ron Duguay, on the Gulls final attempt and trailing 3-2, missed.

“The team played well, the effort was there,” said Coach Don Waddell. “It was a big point to win anyway.”

The Gulls fell behind, 2-1 after two periods. Steve Martinson scored the lone goal for San Diego at 13:40, with assits by Andre Kvartalnov and Whitney.

Andre Kvartalnov and Nichols, scored at 12:51 and 19:34 in the third, with assists by Whitney on both goals and by Dmitri Kvartalnov on Nichols.

Bruce Hoffert (10-8-3) stopped 34 of the Blades shots on goal. The Gulls took 47 shots.

The Gulls (36-20-6) play Milwaukee, fourth in the East, tonight at Milwaukee. They return home Tuesday.