Gulls Open With Victory in Exhibition : Hockey: Lamoureux, Arniel score two goals apiece in 9-2 rout of Phoenix. Gulls excel on the power play.

It was only an exhibition, but the Gulls opened their third season with an impressive 9-2 victory over the Phoenix Roadrunners at the Tucson Convention Center on Wednesday, dominating nearly every statistical category.

The Gulls, whose regular-season record is three power-play goals in one game, were eight of 12 with a man advantage and did not give up a goal in nine short-handed situations.

Phoenix was outshot, 53-28, and the the rout was inflicted without even one even-strength goal for the Gulls.

But the rout did not take shape until late in the third period. In fact, Phoenix heisted the momentum some 2 minutes 49 seconds into the final period on an unassisted goal from Guy Leveque to pull within one, 3-2. Only 16 seconds later the Roadrunners were given an opportunity to even the score when the Gulls’ Perry Anderson was sent off for hooking.

Rather than converting on the power play, the Roadrunners gave up a short-handed goal to Scott Arniel, his second of the night, and the Gulls’ advantage grew to 4-2.

The lead swelled during the final three minutes after two Roadrunners went off for five-minute majors and the Gulls skated the rest of the way with a five-on-three advantage. Mitch Lamoureux scored twice in that span and Darren Perkins, Robbie Nichols and Steve Martinson scored once each.

Player/coach John Anderson did not play; he served as bench coach, with Coach Rick Dudley watching from the stands.

The two teams will play again Friday at the same site.