Gulls eliminated by Wolves in Game 6 of AHL’s Western Conference final

The San Diego Gulls dropped a 3-1 decision Monday to the Chicago Wolves and were eliminated from the AHL’s Western Conference final, four games to two. Chicago advanced to play the Charlotte Checkers in the Calder Cup final, which begins Saturday.

The Gulls, the Ducks’ AHL team, advanced to the conference final for the first time in their four-season history under Coach Dallas Eakins. After taking a 2-1 series lead over the Wolves, the Vegas Golden Knight’s top minor league affiliate, the Gulls lost three consecutive games.

Could it be Eakins’ final game behind the Gulls’ bench?

Eakins is considered to be the leading candidate for the Ducks’ coaching vacancy. General Manager Bob Murray said last month he would wait until playoff teams completed their runs before interviewing candidates and presumably that means he will sit down with Eakins soon.

“Huge credit to him,” the Gulls’ Sam Carrick said when asked about Eakins by reporters. “He did everything for me to put me in the best position to succeed, along with my linemates and this whole group. It wouldn’t be possible without them. It’s a tough pill to swallow right now, but we’ll be back.”

Chicago’s Curtis McKenzie helped to put an end to San Diego’s season, scoring twice. Keegan Kolesar also scored for the Wolves. Carrick scored a power-play goal for the Gulls’ only score. All of the scoring came in the final 10 minutes of the third period.

McKenzie had a team-leading five shots on goal, the same number as the Gulls’ Ben Street.

Kevin Boyle had 25 saves for San Diego. Oscar Dansk had 29 for Chicago.

Eakins made several significant changes to the Gulls’ lineup for Game 6 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Max Jones replaced Corey Tropp, Kevin Roy filled in for Jack Kopacka and Jake Dotchin took the place of Josh Mahura.

Jones, among the Ducks’ top prospects, played for the first time since suffering a head injury in Game 3 of the Gulls’ second-round victory over the Bakersfield Condors on May 8 in San Diego. Tropp was unable to complete Game 5 of the conference final Saturday because of an apparent leg injury.

“Tonight is not a successful night,” Eakins told reporters at the end of Game 6. “It’s painful. It’s hurtful. It’s disappointing, and it’s all of those things because of the tightness of the group. We just needed a bounce or two to make it to the finals.”

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