Gulls Stun Reign with Last-Second Heroics in Front of Electric Home Crowd
With just 17.2 seconds left on the clock and the game tied at three, Nathan Gaucher delivered the kind of moment that turns a regular season win into something special. The 20-year-old forward buried the game-winner to lift the San Diego Gulls past the division-leading Ontario Reign, 4-3, in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at Pechanga Arena.
And make no mistake-this one mattered.
The Gulls didn’t just beat their SoCal rivals. They outlasted them.
They dug deep, clawed back, and found a way to win late for the second time in as many games. That’s five points in their last three outings, and they’ve now pulled even for fifth place in the Pacific Division.
For a team that’s been grinding all season, this stretch feels like more than just a hot streak-it feels like belief.
“We wanted to win this game really bad,” Gaucher said postgame. “Between the second and third, it was just the belief. We knew we had more to give.”
Gaucher certainly gave plenty. In addition to the game-winner, he picked up an assist earlier in the third period, capping off a two-point night that showcased his growing impact on this Gulls squad.
Head coach Matt McIlvane praised the team’s resilience, something he’s seen time and again this season.
“We have so much character in our locker room,” McIlvane said. “We just knew that we were going to find a way today, and I give the guys so much credit for gutting this one out.”
Momentum Builders
The Gulls got their offensive spark from Judd Caulfield, who opened the scoring early in the second period-just 1:24 into the frame. Caulfield didn’t stop there, notching two assists to complete a three-point night. He’s now riding back-to-back multi-point games and has tallied six points over his last three.
Tyson Hinds also broke through in a big way. The young blueliner snapped a 13-game scoring drought with a goal and an assist, tying the game midway through the third and keeping the Gulls within striking distance. It was his second goal and eighth assist of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
After Ontario briefly regained the lead, it was the captain, Ryan Carpenter, who responded. He finished off a slick backhand feed from defenseman Tristan Luneau to tie things up once again. Carpenter’s goal marked his eighth of the season and his second in the last three games-he’s heating up at just the right time.
Nico Myatovic also continued his quiet but effective run. With another assist on the night, he extended his point streak to three games, the longest of his season. He’s now posted three assists over that span.
Physical From the Start
This one had the feel of a rivalry game from the opening puck drop. Less than three minutes in, Travis Howe and Jacob Doty squared off in a spirited fight that set the tone for a physical night. Howe, who leads the team in penalty minutes with 73, didn’t hesitate to answer the bell.
Later in the first, Justin Bailey picked up a double-minor for roughing after stepping in to stop an Ontario breakaway. The Gulls weren’t backing down, and the crowd responded in kind.
Clang Holds It Down
In net, Calle Clang continued to build his case as one of the most reliable goaltenders in the Pacific Division. He turned away 16 of 19 shots to earn his 10th win of the season, but it wasn’t just the stat line-it was the timing of his saves.
“I think his best saves were in the second period,” McIlvane said. “He had two slot-line plays, and one of them got tipped out of the air. He was unbelievable in the net today.”
Clang’s calm, composed presence has become a backbone for this team. When the Gulls needed a big stop, he delivered.
A Night to Remember
Saturday night marked the first sold-out crowd of the season at Pechanga Arena-12,920 fans packed the building, the largest attendance since last season’s finale. And the Gulls gave them a show.
From the opening fight to the last-second goal, this game had everything. And for a team trying to climb the standings and find its identity, this win felt like a turning point.
The Gulls are finding ways to win late. They’re getting contributions up and down the lineup. And maybe most importantly, they’re starting to believe.
If this is the version of San Diego we’re going to see down the stretch, the rest of the division better take notice.