The San Diego Gulls pulled off an impressive comeback victory against the Rockford IceHogs at the BMO Center, sealing the game 5-4. This win marks their sixth all-time triumph over Rockford, showcasing a resilient team effort that saw them respond to each IceHogs goal and finally take the lead in the third period.
Sasha Pastujov was on fire, recording his first multi-goal and three-point game of the season. Extending his point streak to five games, Pastujov now boasts 3 goals and 5 assists in that span.
He kicked off the scoring with a powerplay slap shot early in the first and followed it up with another powerplay goal in the third. Adding an assist shortly after, he now leads the team with 37 points.
The Gulls' powerplay unit was flawless, converting all three opportunities. Ryan Carpenter contributed with a crucial powerplay goal and assisted on one of Pastujov’s, continuing his productive streak with a goal and an assist in his last two games.
Reflecting on the win, Pastujov emphasized perseverance: "We stayed with it. Last game, we had chances but didn’t capitalize.
Today, we stuck to the plan, and going 3-for-3 on the powerplay was huge. It gave us the energy boost we needed."
Defenseman Stian Solberg celebrated his first AHL multi-goal game, tying the match in the second period with a clever shot from behind the goal line. He later scored the game-winning goal in the third, bringing his season total to 8 goals and 6 assists.
Matthew Phillips notched his 200th AHL career assist on Carpenter’s goal and added another later in the game, bringing his career total to 201 assists. With 334 points over 387 AHL games, Phillips continues to be a key playmaker, contributing 35 points this season for the Gulls.
Tristan Luneau also shone with a multi-point night, assisting on both of Pastujov’s goals. This marks his third game of the season with two assists, and he now ranks second among Gulls defenders with 18 points.
Calle Clang stood tall in the net, stopping 23 of 27 shots and making a critical save with just eight seconds left to secure the win.
The Gulls and IceHogs are set for a quick rematch tomorrow at BMO Center. Assistant coach Michael Babcock highlighted the need for recovery and preparation: "It's a quick turnaround.
Hydration and recharging are key. Tomorrow’s all about starting strong and imposing our will."
With this momentum, the Gulls are poised to keep their winning ways going.