Ducks’ minor-league team in San Diego also mired in last place

December 5, 2022

The calendar has kicked over to December – five days into the month – and the hockey team has managed to scratch out six wins this season.

This isn’t only about the Anaheim Ducks but also holds true for their top minor-league affiliate, the struggling AHL San Diego Gulls.

Angst, it seems, extends down the 1-5 Freeway.

The Ducks (6-17-3), who play the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday at Honda Center, are in last place in the NHL, and the Gulls (6-16-0) sit at the bottom of the AHL. It’s been a dizzying revolving door in San Diego with three coaches in three seasons – Roy Sommer replaced Joel Bouchard, who lasted 10 months, having replaced Kevin Dineen.

The issues are worth noting given that the Ducks are firmly fixed in rebuild mode, and while many of their young pieces of the future already are in Anaheim (or injured), you want to see positive signs of development down the road in San Diego. Instead, it’s been a rocky start as the Gulls dropped consecutive games to the visiting Calgary Wranglers, 7-3, on Friday and 6-0 on Saturday in San Diego.

At least there was this bright spot on Saturday from Gulls center Danny O’Reagan, who saved a goal with this outstanding backchecking effort.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

Danny O’Regan with the defensive play of the year!#LetsGoGulls | #CGYvsSD pic.twitter.com/NywUgE8xIj

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) December 4, 2022

Leason gets second goal with Ducks

Brett Leason, who was claimed on waivers from the Washington Capitals in October, scored his second goal of the season in emphatic fashion, converting a breakaway to give Ducks a 2-0 lead in the second period on Sunday against the Jets.

Brett Leason breakaway! pic.twitter.com/rdFv6C2bdY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 4, 2022

Winnipeg would go on to score five straight goals, winning 5-2.

“I feel like I’m improving every game with a bit more ice time, feeling more comfortable getting out there and just doing all the small things,” Leason said after a recent practice. “I feel like I’m playing good … obviously would like to contribute more offensively, been struggling a bit there.

“Overall I’m finding my groove.”

Leason spoke about linemates Mason McTavish and Max Jones, noting McTavish’s patience and the ability to make the right play at the right time.

“He puts us in the spots where we can get the puck and then we can try to find him,” Leason said. “He has a great shot. I’m always trying to look for him in the slot when he’s open because it’s a good chance that it goes in there.”