The San Diego Gulls are entering 2026 on a hot streak.<\/p>\n
The Gulls enter Friday night\u2019s 7 p.m. game against Coachella Valley at Pechanga Arena having won three straight games and four out of their last five. San Diego went 7-2\u20131-1 in December, capped by Wednesday\u2019s 4-3 overtime victory over the Roadrunners in Tucson.<\/p>\n
The Gulls (34-26-10-2) have climbed to fifth in the American Hockey League\u2019s 10-team Pacific Division, six points behind first-place Colorado and two points behind second-place San Jose.<\/p>\n
San Jose visits Pechanga Arena on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Coach Matt McIlvane\u2019s team is playing with a mix of confidence and belief. San Diego fell behind 3-0 at Tucson only to score four unanswered goals, capped by rookie Tim Washe\u2019s game-winner in extras.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously not an ideal start, but I think we just have a collective belief that we\u2019re never out of the game and that dates back to last year,\u201d said forward Sasha Pastujov, who scored his eighth goal and picked up his 15th assist of the season. \u201cWe started to see some good comeback wins. (McIlvane) instilled confidence that we have been here before multiple times and this was no different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another positive trend: a power play that has been hit and miss this season and ranks 12th in the 32-team AHL is starting to click.<\/p>\n
The Gulls cashed in two of three power plays on Wednesday night. The team has scored seven power-play goals in the last five games.<\/p>\n
At the other end of the ice, the Gulls continue to stifle opposing power plays.<\/p>\n
With Valle Husso in goal, the Gulls killed all three Tucson power-play chances. Their 87.1% stoppage rate is first in the AHL.<\/p>\n
Seals host Calgary<\/p>\n
The San Diego Seals (1-1) have played two games over 34 days to open the National Lacrosse League season. But starting with Saturday\u2019s 7 p.m. game against Calgary (0-3) at Pechanga Arena, the club will play each of the next 10 weekends.<\/p>\n
The Seals are coming off a\u00a0 15-7 loss to Rochester in the Dec. 14 home opener.<\/p>\n
Sockers host Strykers<\/p>\n
The San Diego Sockers (2-2) host rival Empire Strykers (1-4) Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Frontwave Arena. The match will be televised by Fox Sports 2.<\/p>\n
The Sockers are coming off Tuesday\u2019s 8-0 home win over Tacoma. Goalkeeper Boris Pardo made 10 saves for the first shutout of his 158-game career, while Charlie Gonzalez and Sebastian Mendez recorded hat tricks.<\/p>\n
The Sockers have split a pair of matchups with the Strykers this season.<\/p>\n
G League\u2019s Clippers hit the road<\/p>\n
The G League\u2019s San Diego Clippers (1-3) open a three-game road trip on Friday against Raptors 905 (5-0).<\/p>\n
The Clippers are coming off Sunday\u2019s 101-98 home loss to Sioux Falls. Last week, guard TyTy Washington Jr. signed a two-way contract with the NBA\u2019s Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n
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