Gull Defense Stands Up to the Shooting Komets’ Challenge

FORT WAYNE, Ind. —  Instead of making more passes, the Gulls took more chances.

Friday night, in front of 4,825 at Allen County Field House, it paid off. The Gulls were outshot, 30-18, but had exemplary goaltending from Alain Chevrier and managed to defeat the Fort Wayne Komets, 3-1, in an International Hockey League game.

The victory, combined with the Milwaukee Admirals’ 4-2 victory over the Peoria Rivermen--the Gulls’ opponent tonight--keeps the Gulls one point ahead of the Admirals as the race for the remaining playoff spot tightens. The victory also stopped the Gulls’ four-game losing streak.

Chevrier (8-11-1) stopped 29 of 30 shots. The only shot he allowed was the first goal of the night, by Bruce Major in the first period.

“Chevrier played really well but we played sound defensively in front of him all night,” Gull Coach Mike O’Connell said. “That’s the key for us. When we play tight defensively and get our matchups, we have a good chance to win. Our players were very conscientious in their own end tonight.”

What a shame it was the Gulls’ last stop in Fort Wayne (37-30-5) and last game of the season against the Komets. They are 3-0 in Fort Wayne.