Preview: Gulls Go After Fourth Victory Over IceHogs
Dec 22, 2023By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls are ready to run it back at home tonight for their last stand with the Rockford IceHogs at Pechanga Arena San Diego (7 p.m. PST).
After capturing a close 2-1 victory in their mid-week matchup together, the Gulls enter tonight’s final round with insight of the IceHog’s unwavering hunger for revenge after Wednesday evening’s game that was much more tightly contested than their previous contests together.
At BMO Center in Rockford earlier this month, the Gulls took the victory over Rockford 7-0 on Dec. 8 and on Dec. 9, took home a 5-1 win.
At Wednesday’s home game at Pechanga, San Diego’s power play in the third period made all the difference as Trevor Carrick netted the game-winning goal, his first power play goal of the season, to earn his fourth goal overall.
"Trevor, we’re not ever too worried about the scoring," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "We know that’s coming. It’s inevitable with his game. He shoots the puck so well and so often, and I thought he defended well."
Over their last nine games, the Gulls are 6-2-1-0 and San Diego’s record stands 8-12-4-0.
Heading into tonight’s game, San Diego will seek to close out the regular-season series with Rockford by stretching their win streak over the team to four games, building off what they’ve done well in previous games while maintaining focus on their play in a brand-new game ahead.
"I think, you almost kind of put those three games in the rear-view mirror," Olen Zellweger said. "There’s a one game opportunity for us to have a great season series against a team. We are definitely excited. It’s going to be a great challenge and it will be great to get another opportunity on home ice."
Zellweger scored his fifth goal of the season just 32 seconds into the opening frame in the latest matchup, the 10th fastest goal by a Gull to begin a game in franchise history.
Goaltender Calle Clang was calm, cool, and collected in net in San Diego’s third round with Rockford, bringing to the arena some momentum and exciting energy that he picked up since returning from a short trip with the Anaheim Ducks.
"He definitely made some huge saves for us that keep us in that game and allow us to get that win," Zellweger said of the Gulls goaltender. "So, a great game by him. That’s just so important for our team to have that kind of rock back there."
Clang saved 28-of-29 shots to earn his third win of the season, his first victory at home in his AHL career.
"That was really good. I mean, the first win for me at home... I’m happy to get a win, and for the fans too," Clang said.
As the team readies to rock the ice again tonight, they will look to create more balance in the energy they devote toward defending and attacking, produce offensive momentum early, and bring consistent efforts on the ice throughout each phase of the game while limiting their familiar opponent’s chances.
"We just got to stick to the things we did today. It’s a game coming up in 48 hours here, so you got to be ready and get the body ready to go again on Friday. It will be a good game," Clang said.
The Gulls will return to the rink at Pechanga Arena San Diego for another showdown tomorrow night, Saturday Dec. 23, as they host the Tucson Roadrunners at 6 p.m. PST.