Gulls Bi-Weekly Report 9

By Thomas Harrington

The San Diego Gulls played six games over the past two weeks and had a record of 4-1-1, their best two week stretch of the season. The Gulls are still at the bottom of the Pacific Division, but they have a better winning percentage than the Henderson Silver Knights. If they can keep playing like this, they should be able to climb to ninth in the division.

Firebirds Edge Gulls In OT

The Gulls started out by hosting the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Neither team scored in the first, but Coachella Valley struck for two early goals in the second. Ryan Carpenter put the Gulls on the board before the middle frame was over, and Sam Colangelo tied the game early in the third. Neither team scored in regulation again, and the game went to overtime, where the Firebirds scored and won 3-2.

San Diego Beats Reign In OT

The Gulls then hit the road for four straight games, starting with a visit to Ontario. Justin Bailey scored just 31 seconds into the game, but Ontario tied the game early in the second. They then took the lead, but Jan Mysak tied the game 40 seconds later. In the third, the Reign scored twice, but Carpenter scored with less than three minutes to go in regulation. Colangelo tied the game with 30 seconds left in the third. In overtime, Nikita Nesterenko scored to give San Diego the 5-4 win.

Gulls Earn Split Against Canucks

San Diego then traveled to Abbotsford for a pair of games. Neither team scored in the first, but Colangelo opened the scoring less than a minute into the second period. The Canucks tied the game, but then Colangelo put the Gulls back on top. Abbotsford tied the game again before the second was over. In the third, the Canucks scored the only goal and won 3-2. In the next game, Sasha Pastujov opened the scoring in the first, but Abbotsford tied it. In the second, Pastujov scored his second of the game. In the third, Judd Caulfield scored, and then Nathan Gaucher scored into the empty net, giving San Diego a 4-1 win.

Gulls Down Firebirds

The Gulls finished their road trip in Coachella Valley. Bailey opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game, but the Firebirds tied the game a couple minutes later. Carson Meyer and Gaucher scored 36 seconds apart to give the Gulls a two-goal lead, but Coachella Valley scored late in the first. In the second, they scored the only goal to tie the game. Just 38 seconds into the third, Caulfied scored to give the Gulls the lead, and Nesterenko scored into the empty net to give San Diego a 5-3 win.

Gulls Double up Barracuda

They then returned home to host the San Jose Barracuda. San Jose opened the scoring early in the first but Roland McKeown tied the game. The Barracuda retook the lead before the first was over In the second, Bailey tied the game, and then scored his second of the game in the third to give the Gulls the lead. Gaucher scored into the empty net, assisted by goaltender Oscar Dansk, and San Diego won 4-2.

San Diego will play six games over the next two weeks. They’ll start out at home by hosting the Abbotsford Canucks and then traveling to Bakersfield to face the Condors for a pair of games. The Gulls will then return home for three straight games where they will host Calgary, Coachella Valley, and Bakersfield.

Colangelo continues to be San Diego’s best forward and should be the first call up if the Ducks need forward help after the Four Nations tournament. Pastujov cooled off a little bit over the past two weeks but still scored a couple of goals and could get the call as well. Newly acquired Bailey has been playing well of late and is another forward who could get the call. On defense, Tristan Luneau didn’t score a goal over the past two weeks, but did record seven assists and continues to play well for San Diego. He should be the first callup on defense if the Ducks need help on the backend.

The Gulls are currently riding a three-game win streak and playing some of their best hockey of the season. While it’s too late to climb back into the playoff picture, it’s great seeing this team start to play up to its potential. The injury bug has also hit this team recently, as forward Yegor Sidorov, defenseman Noah Warren, and goaltender Calle Clang have all missed time recently. Clang may miss the rest of the season.

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February 19th, 2025