Nick Ritchie and Stefan Noesen Provide Silver Lining For Slumping San Diego Gulls
- Updated: January 19, 2016
It’s been a rough stretch for the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, as the San Diego Gulls have lost seven of their last nine games. I was in attendance Saturday night for the Gulls vs Texas Stars game, which finished 5-3 in favor of Texas. It was a tightly contested game that was a one goal game throughout, until a late empty netter sealed it for the Stars. Looking for the silver lining from a Ducks perspective, two of their top prospects had strong performances in the losing effort. Nick Ritchie and Stefan Noesen each had multi point games, displaying playmaking skills and grit that will make both of them valuable NHL wingers one day. Two plays in particular stood out to me.
Down one to zero in the first period, just after killing off a five on three disadvantage and still down a man at five on four, Nick Ritchie hustled up the ice to commit to the forecheck when he easily could have sat back and saved energy. He was rewarded for his hard work and forced a turnover when Stars goalie Maxime Legace and both Stars defensemen on the ice weren’t on the same page. Ritchie pounced on the mistake and quickly slid the puck out to the slot where Kenny Ryan was waiting. Ryan coolly slotted the puck into the open part of the net to tie the game and ignite another big home crowd in San Diego. Ritchie went on to assist another, and grab a goal himself, but his effort on the penalty kill was what impressed me the most. For a guy that has been in the NHL this season, you wouldn’t blame him if his motivation dropped a little upon being sent back down to the minors, but that hasn’t happened.
Stefan Noesen, being from Plano Texas, likely grew up a Dallas Stars fan, so playing against the Stars minor affiliate was probably a little weird for him, but that didn’t stop him from orchestrating a goal himself. With under seven minutes left in the final frame, Noesen took control of the puck along the half wall and drove behind the net, but instead of continuing around to the other said and setting up a play on his forehand side, he sent a slick backhand pass to Chris Mueller who scored from a tough angle. Maxime Legacy was completely fooled by Noesen’s play, which allowed Mueller to shoot into an open net. I was fooled on the play, as well. When Noesen skated behind the net I was already looking for a potential pass on the other side of the ice and boom! Goal. He may not be able to pull that off against NHL goalies but it was still a nice goal, and honestly I haven’t seen many like it.
While it hasn’t been a great year in Anaheim, and their youngsters in San Diego have been struggling too recently, Nick Ritchie and Stefan Noesen showed on Saturday night why Ducks fans have reasons for optimism about the future.
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