Gulls Stay Perfect in Shootout with Victory Over Condors
Nov 13, 2026By Ashley Rubin/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls defeated the Bakersfield Condors in a shootout tonight at Dignity Health Arena, 3-2.
Tonight’s shootout victory marked the Gulls’ second of the season, giving them a perfect shootout record. Matthew Phillips was the hero of the game, finding the back of the net not only for the second San Diego goal but also for the lone shootout goal.
Phillips logged his sixth goal of the season in the second, his second point in as many contests (1-1=2). The assistant captain becomes the third Gulls skater to reach double digits in points with 6-4=10 found in his 15 games played.
"He brings so much," linemate James Hamblin said. "I think starting with his skill level and his compete. He's a smaller guy, but he doesn't play like it. He competes every night, and it's awesome to be able to play with him."
The lone assist on Phillips’ goal went to Hamblin, giving him a point in his debut against his former club. The now assistant captain for the Gulls spent six years with Bakersfield, his only AHL games with another club being his 15 appearances with the Gulls this season. Hamblin ended the night with an assist, six shots on goal and a +1 rating.
"It was really, really weird at first, walking the other way, coming into the rink," Hamblin said. "But it was really special. I want to say a special thanks just to the organization, to Ryan Holt, Keith Gretzky, the front office for putting the thing up on the jumbotron, welcoming me back. It was extremely special. I felt so much gratitude for all the players, coaches, front office staff, and the fans as well. Yeah, a lot of gratitude for them and for the past six years."
Scoring was opened by Sean Farrell late in the opening frame. The goal marks Farrell's first of the season and he accomplished it in a milestone night as tonight’s contest marked his 200th career AHL game. Defenseman Nick Jensen tallied his first assist and point in a Gulls sweater on the goal, the point being his first AHL point since Dec. 17, 2016. Ryan Carpenter also collected an assist, his fourth of the year, giving him helpers in back-to-back contests.
Damian Clara made his second consecutive start, facing 31 total shots and stopping 29 of those alongside all three shots faced in the shootout. Tonight marked his first career AHL shootout appearance and he extended his season record to 4-1-2. He ranks tied for sixth among qualified AHL goaltenders in save percentage (.930) and eighth in goals-against average (1.96).
Special teams were limited tonight as neither club received a full power play, playing four-on-four hockey four times. The Gulls came closest, receiving a man advantage in overtime with only 1:29 remaining. Not allowing Bakersfield a full two-minute power play came down to San Diego’s penalty kill and their ability to draw penalties for the other side.
"They're getting it done, and I mean it's one of those things when you can put some unsuspecting pressure, I guess it helps," head coach Dave Manson said. "And tonight was one of those nights where things evened up it seemed like a bit. We had our chance at the end, but we couldn't get it done. And so, it worked both ways."
The Gulls have now won two straight games and look to keep that momentum going tomorrow night as they head to Tech CU Arena to face the San Jose Barracuda (6 p.m. PST).