The San Diego Gulls have had a challenging two weeks, coming out with a 2-4 record in their last six games. This stretch has landed them in seventh place in the Pacific Division, clinging to the final playoff spot. They’re tied in points with the sixth-place Henderson Silver Knights, but with more games played, the Gulls find themselves at a disadvantage in points percentage.
Kicking off this run, the Gulls faced the Barracuda in San Jose. The game started on a tough note, with San Jose netting two goals in the first period.
The second period saw no change in score, but the Barracuda extended their lead early in the third. San Diego fought back with goals from Tristan Luneau and Tyson Hinds, but ultimately fell short, losing 3-2.
Back on home ice, the Gulls hosted the Rockford IceHogs for two games. In the first matchup, Sasha Pastujov put San Diego on the board early, but Rockford responded with three consecutive goals. Sam Colangelo narrowed the gap, but the Gulls couldn't find the equalizer, ending in another 3-2 loss.
The rematch against Rockford was a different story, with fireworks on both sides. Nikita Nesterenko kicked things off with a shorthanded goal.
Despite Rockford's efforts to keep pace, Ryan Carpenter's two goals helped San Diego maintain an edge. Stian Solberg and Coulson Pitre added to the tally, and Nikolas Brouillard sealed the deal with an empty-netter, giving the Gulls a 6-4 victory.
The Gulls then hit the road again, facing the Barracuda once more. Despite a valiant effort with a goal from Luneau, San Diego couldn't overcome San Jose's offense, falling 4-1.
Heading to Colorado for a pair of games, the Gulls saw mixed results. Carpenter and Judd Caulfield each found the net, but Colorado's relentless attack led to a 6-3 defeat. In their final matchup, Nesterenko opened the scoring, and Luneau’s third-period goal secured a 2-1 win for San Diego.
Looking ahead, the Gulls have another six games on the horizon. They'll begin with two road games against the Colorado Eagles, then return to host the Bakersfield Condors and Calgary Wranglers.
The stretch concludes with a visit to Abbotsford for two games against the Canucks. While these teams aren’t direct playoff competitors, wins against Calgary and Abbotsford are crucial to maintain their playoff position.
On the Anaheim Ducks front, the team is getting healthier, with Troy Terry back in action and John Carlson debuting as a Duck. This depth means the Ducks are less likely to pull players from San Diego, especially with the trade deadline limiting recalls. Tim Washe and Ian Moore have been assigned to the Gulls, setting them up for potential Calder Cup action if San Diego advances further than Anaheim.
With just 14 games left in the regular season, the Gulls are averaging one win a week. They have the potential to climb higher in the standings, but it’s going to be a nail-biter to hold onto their playoff spot.