Gulls hand Stars big loss in Game 3

Mike Sgarbossa and Chris Wagner each tallied a goal and two assists as San Diego blitzed Texas, 6-1, in Game 3 of the Pacific Division semifinals on Thursday night.

The Gulls have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and can close out the Stars with another win in Game 4 on Friday.

Playing the first home playoff game in franchise history, San Diego grabbed an early lead on Brandon Montour’s power-play goal 5:55 into the game, then scored three times on 21 shots during the second period to open up a 4-0 advantage.

Nick Ritchie, Joseph Cramarossa and Stefan Noesen also scored for the Gulls. Wagner and Shea Theodore (two assists) combined for five points in their return from the parent Anaheim Ducks.

Anton Khudobin (2-1) finished with 28 saves.

Esa Lindell netted his second goal of the series for the Stars, and Jack Campbell (1-1) stopped 42 of 48 shots on the night.

Pacific Division Semifinals – Series “H” (best-of-5) 
P2-San Diego Gulls vs. P3-Texas Stars 
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 21 – San Diego 3, TEXAS 1
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 23 – TEXAS 5, San Diego 1
Game 3 – Thu., Apr. 28 – SAN DIEGO 6, Texas 1
Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 29 – Texas at San Diego, 10:05
*Game 5 – Mon., May 2 – Texas at San Diego, 10:05
   *if necessary… All times Eastern