14 June 2016: Fans take photos of the Calder Cup as the Monsters and their fans celebrate their 2016 Calder Cup Championship at the Gateway Plaza in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The San Diego Gulls are embroiled in a heated race for an AHL playoff spot. Our Greg Johnson is back with his weekly Gulls update.

The Record

The San Diego Gulls traveled all the way to Cleveland to play the Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate) last week. They even played games Saturday and Sunday with only 20 hours between start times. San Diego has a 2-0-0 record to show for it. That’s exactly what these guys needed while embroiled in such a tight playoff race.

Playoffs

The Gulls have six more points than the fifth place Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames), with nine games left this season. San Diego’s chances of making the playoffs were definitely improved this week. The Gulls have moved from third place to a tie for second with a game in hand on the Ontario Reign (LA Kings). The AHL Pacific Division is still unbelievable. Even the last place Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers) and San Jose Barracuda (Sharks) in the eight-team division have a points percentage of 0.525.

Standouts

Between the two games, Corey Tropp had a Gordie Howe hat trick. His assist in the third period of the Sunday game knotted the game at 1. And his goal late in the second period in the Saturday game tied the score at 2. Tropp has been solid this season.

Defensively, Jacob Larsson was the player of the week. All of us are waiting for him to be permanently sent up to the Ducks. His defense can sometimes be an adventure at this point in his development. His offense was on display as well. Larsson had a goal and two assists in the game on Saturday in Cleveland to lead the Gulls in scoring for the weekend.

Top Stopper

The goaltending yo-yo continues in San Diego. Reto Berra got the overtime win in the first game in Cleveland. But he let in 3 goals on 33 shots. Kevin Boyle played a great game Sunday letting in only 1 goal on 28 shots on net.

You Had Me at Hello

Ohio native Kiefer Sherwood signed a contract with Anaheim on March 20. And he felt at home almost immediately. In his first game since signing the contract, and in his home state, Sherwood fired in the overtime winner. That’s how you start an amateur tryout!

Games This Week

The Gulls have three games this week. Wednesday they will face Bakersfield at home. Friday, the Gulls welcome back Cleveland for Autism Awareness Night. Check out the sweet warm-up jerseys the Gulls will wear Friday. Finally, the Gulls travel to Bakersfield Saturday to face the cellar dwellers. San Diego needs to earn at least four points this week to keep their playoff position in good shape.