Gulls Set for Rivalry Clash Against Reign
Jan 31, 2026
By Ashley Rubin/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls are ready to take on their long-time rival Ontario Reign in their third matchup of the season at Pechanga Arena San Diego tonight (6 p.m. PST; TV: AHLTV on FloHockey; Radio: Gulls Audio Network).
Ontario and San Diego have played two games so far this season with each team taking one victory. The teams played back-to-back matchups split between their home ice back in early November. San Diego took the first game 6-4 while Ontario took the second match 4-3 in overtime.
"We're all excited," Judd Caulfield said. "We're pumped up. We've heard about the big crowd coming in, and we know we got great fans down in San Diego, so it’s great atmosphere. We're going to go put on a show. Just be playing hard, playing physically, and you know Ontario's going to be playing the same way, so it's going to be a battle out there. We know we just got to out work them, and compete, and we'll find our looks and find a way to bury them."
The Ontario Reign has gone on to become tied for first place in the Pacific Division. The team is on a three-game winning streak as they hold a record of 28-12-1-1 with 58 points. The Gulls stand in sixth place with a 19-14-6-3 record, holding 47 points. San Diego is coming off a win from last night which broke the team’s three-game losing streak.
"Ontario has been up at the top of our division now for a while, and we know they're a fantastic team," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "They've got a lot of speed, very, very strong defensively, and it'll be a big challenge, but we'll bring our game."
Last night, the Gulls took on the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena, winning 4-3. Tomas Suchanek started in net, logging his first win of the season with some essential saves that kept the Gulls in the hunt. Yegor Sidorov had a three-point night with one assist and two goals logged. The young forward found the game-winning goal late in the third to secure the win. Judd Caulfield and Stian Solberg netted the other two goals.
The Reign and Gulls will only meet one more time this season. A victory tonight could help San Diego rise further in the standings and secure their spot early for playoffs.
The Gulls will next play on Wednesday, Feb. 4 as they take on the Henderson Silver Knights for their last game before heading on the All-Star break (7 p.m. PST).