The San Diego Gulls are gearing up for a much-anticipated reunion with the Rockford IceHogs, marking their first encounter since the 2023-24 season. The back-to-back series kicks off tonight at BMO Center, and fans can catch the action on AHLTV via FloHockey or tune in to the Gulls Audio Network.
Rockford, sitting in sixth place in the Central Division, presents a unique challenge as the second non-divisional opponent for the Gulls this season. With an 18-27-2-2 record, the IceHogs are fresh off a defeat against the Milwaukee Admirals. Notably, Rockford leads the AHL in penalty minutes, racking up 899 in their 49 games-a stat that might play a crucial role in tonight’s matchup.
The Gulls entered February with a bang, stringing together four consecutive wins fueled by impressive offensive performances. However, recent games have been nail-biters, with San Diego narrowly losing their last two outings by a single goal.
In their latest contest against the San Jose Barracuda, the Gulls fought valiantly but fell 4-3 in a shootout. The game was a testament to their resilience, highlighted by Ryan Carpenter’s clutch goal with just five seconds left in regulation.
"He's our leader," said head coach Matt McIlvane, praising Carpenter’s pivotal role. "He got things started for us and made a crucial play to Roland [McKeown].
His face-off prowess made it an easy decision to have him out there in the final moments. He's the kind of player we rely on in big moments."
Justin Bailey and Roland McKeown also contributed to the scoreboard for San Diego. McKeown, leading all Gulls defensemen with 19 points, continues to be a dual threat on both ends of the ice. Meanwhile, Bailey’s hot streak has been a boon for the team, netting 17 goals and showcasing his scoring touch in recent games.
After picking up a point in their last game, the Gulls stand at 54 points with a 22-15-6-4 record. The mission this weekend is clear: secure all four points and climb the Pacific Division standings.
"That'll be nice," Carpenter remarked, looking forward to the road trip. "A change of scenery, some card games on the plane, and hopefully, we come back with four points. We’re focused on having a solid practice and being ready for Saturday."
The Gulls and IceHogs will face off again tomorrow at 2 p.m. PST. Following the series, San Diego returns home to take on the Tucson Roadrunners at Pechanga Arena on Wednesday, February 25th.