Gulls Enter Last Stand with Roadrunners
Apr 7, 2024By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com
Did somebody say Sunday funday?
The San Diego Gulls are right back at it tonight for their final stand with the Tucson Roadrunners at Pechanga Arena San Diego (5 p.m. PST).
Tonight’s matchup marks the Gulls’ penultimate clash on home ice this season, their last action before hitting the road for a five-game series.
In last night’s Saturday showdown, San Diego tapped into their inner emo perhaps a little too hard, as they couldn’t make things connect, falling 4-1 to Tucson on Emo Night at Pechanga Arena.
Defenseman Konnor Smith scored the lone goal for the Gulls, marking his first professional goal. Judd Caulfield recorded an assist on the goal.
"Konnor surprised me pleasantly right from the beginning," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "His very first puck touch, he made a great reverse and broke pressure, got us up the ice. I thought he showed poise and presence the entire game."
Despite a historic shutout victory on Mar. 29 at Tucson, the Gulls haven’t quite been able to ground the Roadrunners over a series of tight tilts this season. Much of their competition has been marked by gritty contests ending with single-goal differences.
In tonight’s battle between the birds, San Diego will aim for a rebound by sticking to their identity and doing what the Gulls do best as they defend home ice again and gear up to leave their mark on the Roadrunners in closing out the season series.
After tonight, San Diego readies for five games on the road which will kick off with a Bakersfield Condors clash at Mechanics Bank Arena on Wednesday, Apr. 10 (6:30 p.m. PST).