Recap: Calgary Wranglers hit 50 wins, sweep season series against Gulls
1 year ago
The Calgary Wranglers and San Diego Gulls played their last game of the 2022-23 season on Saturday night. They completed their season series and with the San Diego Gulls mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they have no chance of seeing each other again until the 2023-24 season. Calgary came into this game undefeated against the Gulls and maintained that with a 3-2 win to complete the season series sweep and pick up their 50th win.
Game at a glance
Oscar Dansk got the nod between the pipes for the Wranglers and Gage Alexander was between the pipes on the other end. The Wranglers got right into the scoring swing of things in the opening minutes of this game.
Dryden Hunt got things started on the power play just 2:14 into the game. Nick DeSimone and Ben Jones picked up the assists.
Before the clock could even count down the first five minutes, the Wranglers struck again. Connor Zary scored a goal that deserves a few looks. At first glance, it doesn’t make it seem physically possible for that puck to make it to the back of the net. Zary was on his way around the back of the net and took a shot that banked off the back of Alexander.
This was Zary’s 21st goal of the season and came unassisted. Unfortunately, the good start didn’t go unanswered through the first 20 minutes. 7:30 into the period, the Gulls scored their first of the night. Oscar Dansk left his crease to play the puck and didn’t make it back in a good position fast enough to stop the shot.
The Wranglers burned themselves again later in the period, giving up a shorthanded goal 14:34 into the period. Really the big thing that led to this goal was a lack of effort in defending the rush. They let the Gulls come all the way from the other end of the rink and didn’t defend the scoring chance very well. They really got caught on their heels. Thankfully it wasn’t enough to cost them the game.
After the opening period, the game was tied up 2-2 and shots were evened up at 12 a side. In the second period, they had a couple of power play opportunities and the first one was the one they earned their next goal on. Matthew Phillips perfectly positioned himself to blow a shot past the goaltender and break open his water bottle. Nick DeSimone and Dryden Hunt assisted.
This would be the game winning goal and Matthew Phillips’ 15th game winning goal of the season. This goal put Phillips up to a nine game point streak. A streak in which, he has scored 16 points. Phillips has been outstanding this season and it is the perfect time for him to elevate his game and carry on the clutch play he is known for.
That was the last goal of the game and no other scoring took place in the third period. Only a couple of penalties were called and the time ran out to secure the Wranglers another win. This puts them up to seven straight wins and 50 wins on the season.
Shots finished up 31-23 and Dansk stopped 21 of 23 San Diego shots. The Wranglers ended up going two for six on their power plays. Despite their win, only one Calgary player made it to the three stars and it was Matthew Phillips picking up the second star.
Next up
Only three games remain in the regular season and all three will be on the road against the Abbotsford Canucks. Their series kicks off on Wednesday and will finish up on the weekend. Wednesday’s game is set to start at 8:00 p.m. MT.
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