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Gulls take Game 2 behind Boyle shutout

Photo: Ross Dettman

Kevin Boyle made 29 saves for his first shutout of 2018-19, backstopping San Diego to a 3-0 win over Chicago in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday night.

Tied at 1-1, the series resumes in San Diego on Wednesday.

Boyle made his first appearance since May 4, when he left Game 2 of the Gulls’ second-round series against Bakersfield with an injury. He stopped eight shots in the first period, 10 in the second and 11 more in the third for his first shutout since Feb. 14, 2018.

Sam Carrick opened the scoring at 6:56 of the first period with his sixth goal of the playoffs, potting the rebound of an Adam Cracknell shot. It was just the fourth time in 12 playoff games that the Gulls grabbed a 1-0 lead.

Drawing into the lineup for the first time since Apr. 24, Jack Kopacka made it 2-0 at 2:08 of the second period. Kopacka’s initial shot from the right circle was blocked, but his second try beat Oscar Dansk (20 saves) for his first goal of the playoffs.

Sam Steel finished the scoring with an empty-netter from center ice at 18:42 of the third period.

Kiefer Sherwood recorded two assists for the Gulls, who improved to 5-2 on the road this postseason.

The loss snapped the Wolves’ six-game home winning streak.

Western Conference Finals – Series “N” (best-of-7)
C1-Chicago Wolves vs. P3-San Diego Gulls
Game 1 – Fri., May 17 – CHICAGO 5, San Diego 4 (OT) | Recap/Highlights
Game 2 – Sat., May 18 – San Diego 3, CHICAGO 0
Game 3 – Wed., May 22 – Chicago at San Diego, 10:00, AHLTV
Game 4 – Fri., May 24 – Chicago at San Diego, 10:00, AHLTV
Game 5 – Sat., May 25 – Chicago at San Diego, 10:00, AHLTV
*Game 6 – Mon., May 27 – San Diego at Chicago, 8:00, AHLTV
*Game 7 – Wed., May 29 – San Diego at Chicago, 8:00, AHLTV
*if necessary… All times Eastern