Gulls and Eagles Close Out Series After Tuesday Thriller
Mar 18, 2026By Ashley Rubin/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls and Colorado Eagles are set to face off for the last time in the 2025-26 regular season tonight at Blue Arena (6:05 p.m. PDT; TV: AHLTV on FloHockey; Radio: Gulls Audio Network).
In their previous matchups this season, the Gulls have gone 3-4-0-0 against Colorado. San Diego proved their capability of keeping up with the fast-paced, highly offensive team this season. The Gulls found their first two wins since 2022 on Colorado’s home ice this season, were the first AHL team to score a shorthanded goal against the team this season, and have totaled 17 goals against them.
The teams kicked off this back-to-back series last night at Blue Arena. The Gulls walked away with the win after a tight contest full of scoring ending in a valiant third-period comeback and a four-round shootout.
"I think just build off the way we played them," Sam Colangelo said. "I'd say the third, but honestly, the whole game get pucks behind them, tire them out, get to the net front and make it hard for their goalie. It's a 2-1 series us in the last three games so ultimately, this is four game series and we're looking to close it out tomorrow night."
Last night’s contest stayed exciting throughout the entirety of the night. The second period is where most of the action happened, with five goals being scored in just over five minutes between both teams. Nathan Gaucher opened it up for the Gulls while Colangelo and Matthew Phillips followed shortly after. Tristan Luneau closed the two-goal gap to one with under two minutes left in regulation and Sasha Pastujov followed behind to tie it up and send the game to overtime in the final 30 seconds. Nikita Nesterenko found the game-winner in the shootout to give San Diego an essential two points. The crease was protected by Tomas Suchanek who put on a stellar performance saving 24-of-29 shots in his 12th appearance this season.
"The story of the game is resiliency and its character," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "And you know, it's not uncommon for our group. We've shown our ability to do this. And this was a big moment to be able to step up and get that done."
After tonight’s contest, the Gulls will head back home where they will take on the Bakersfield Condors on Friday, Mar. 20 at Pechanga Arena San Diego (7 p.m. PDT).