Gulls Ready for Non-Divisional Matchup with Stars
Feb 27, 2026
By Ashley Rubin/San DiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls are heading down south to skate in a back-to-back series with the Central Division Texas Stars starting tonight at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (5 p.m. PST; TV: AHLTV on FloHockey: Radio: Gulls Audio Network).
Texas has been hot lately, going 7-3-0-0 in their past 10 games. The team takes the fourth place Central Division spot with 52 points to their name. The Stars’ top scorer, Cameron Hughes, ranks 10th among all AHL skaters in total points logged this season. The team falls short in terms of special teams, ranking 30th overall with a powerplay percentage of 14.5% and 26th overall with a penalty kill rate of 78.8%.
"Texas is a really strong team there,” Gulls head coach Matt McIlvane. "They're really hot right now, and they're pressuring everywhere. We're in a moment where we've really got to hang together here and be able to push forward, because we're going through a little bit of adversity. We'll come out on the other side."
San Diego has been finding mixed results lately, going 5-2-1-2 over their past 10 games. Despite falling in their last contest on Wednesday against the Tucson Roadrunners, the team still walked away with a point. This point kept the Gulls in sixth place in the Pacific Division, bringing their total to 57 as they post a 23-16-7-4 record.
Wednesday night saw a 2-1 overtime loss from the Gulls. The lone goal was put in by captain Ryan Carpenter who now sits only one goal shy of 100 career AHL goals. Carpenter has found 3-2=5 points in his last four games, proving a reason why he takes the leadership role. The goal was assisted by Justin Bailey who now holds 12 assists on the season. The winger totals 17-12=29 points, ranking fourth amongst all Gulls skaters. The crease was protected by Calle Clang who made some unbelievable stops in his 26-of-28 shots saved.
The AHL is getting closer and closer to playoffs. The Gulls hope to walk away with four out of four points possible this weekend in Texas to secure their spot. The team only has 22 games remaining in the regular season and looks to be as successful as possible.
"I think just identifying what makes us successful," Bailey said. "Playing with pace right from the get-go, playing with physicality right from the get-go. You look at the start of the season, the first half, we're playing a lot of games, coming from behind victories, kind of that team that you kind of have to kill, and you can't leave around hanging. And now, you zoom out and you look at the last month, and we've been the team that's had the lead two, three goals in the third so I think just identifying when we have the lead. Go into Texas and play our game, stick to what we know works, and the results will come after that."
Following tonight, the Gulls will finish out their three-game road trip with a game against the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday, Mar, 4 at Tech CU Arena (7 p.m. PST).