Preview: Gulls Looking For Third Straight Win Over Wolves

Dec 3, 2023

By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com 

After a 4-1 win over Chicago last night, the San Diego Gulls are ready for an afternoon matchup with the Wolves at Allstate Arena (1 p.m. PST).  

San Diego will look to earn standings points in its fourth straight game, as the Gulls are 2-0-1-0 over the past three games. 

Three different Gulls recorded multi-point games on Saturday night. Nikita Nesterenko earned two assists (0-2=2), his second consecutive multi-point game. Jacob Perreault and Brayden Tracey both scored a goal and picked up an assist on the night. 

All three players did their damage on the power play, as the Gulls went 2-for 6 with the man advantage. 

"I'm not sure which one's the second unit but I know that we have two good groups," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "They made two great little plays through seams. And then being able to attack either with the shot or the backside post like they were, they were great at being able to create something from nothing."

Tensions ran high Saturday night. Multiple scuffles broke out throughout the game and four different players were handed penalties related to tempers flaring. 

"We're a band of brothers and we should always have each other's backs and I'm appreciative of the way that the guys stepped in," McIlvane said. "I'm glad the guys are there for each other."

Judd Caulfield picked up his first assist of his AHL career in the contest. Andrew Agozzino and Nathan Gaucher also netted goals, while Olen Zellweger earned an assist. 

Today marks the final regular season matchup between San Diego and Chicago. The Gulls hold the upper hand in the season series, winning two of three matchups thus far. Both Nesterenko (1-4=5) and Perreault (1-2=3) are riding two-game point streaks into today’s series finale. 

"Bring the same effort, do the same thing and good results will come," Perreault said. "I'm just going to try my hardest, make some plays and try to get a couple of bounces and maybe put the puck in the back of the net again."

Calle Clang got the start on Saturday, stopping 24-of-25 shots for his second win of the season. Tomas Suchanek is in line to get the start today. Suchanek has already had success against Chicago, as he picked up his first career AHL win in his AHL debut Nov. 25. 

The Gulls will head up to Milwaukee after today’s contest for a matchup with the Admirals on Wednesday, Dec. 6 (5 p.m. PST).