Gulls Creep Back Into Second by Topping KC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a week in third and three consecutive games lost, the Gulls inched their way back into second place in the International Hockey League’s Western division with a timely 5-2 victory against Kansas City in front of 5,146 at Kemper Arena.

Taylor Hall has his first two-goal game and forward Ron Duguay scored his first goal in four games with the Gulls (16-14-3).

“I was very happy with the way we rebounded,” said Gulls Coach Mike O’Connell. “This win gives us a spark.”

Ron Handy, the second leading scorer in the league, put Kansas City ahead in the first two mintues of the game, until Charlie Simmer pulled the Gulls even at 17:46, his sixth goal of the year.

The Gulls took lead in the second period when Hall scored at 3:16, with Simmer on the assist. Then at 4:24, Duguay scored with Darcy Norton assisting, as the Gulls took a 3-1 lead after two.

Handy scored again at 5:58, his 24th goal, to pull Kansas City to 3-2, but 26 seconds laster, Hall scored again, with Mike Sullivan on the assist at 12:31.

Defenseman Derek Mayer scored his seventh goal, on the power play, and has scored a point in 16 of the last 17 games.

Kansas City outshot the Gulls, 28-20.