Gulls Look for Redemption Against Roadrunners
Oct 17, 2026By Ashley Rubin/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls and Tucson Roadrunners are set to close their back-to-back series tonight at Tucson Convention Center Arena (7 p.m. PDT; TV: AHLTV on FloHockey: Radio: Gulls Audio Network).
San Diego and Tucson started this series last night, with the Gulls ultimately falling 3-0. Despite having many close chances, the team could not find a way to put the puck through on Tucson’s Michael Hrabal. The team looks to rebound tonight and take two points from the Roadrunners.
"We’ve got to respond tomorrow," defenseman Corey Schueneman said. "Got to start on time and got to play a complete game. They’re an offensive team, they want to play offense but, we’ve got to put pucks behind them and go to work."
The Gulls continued their success on the penalty kill, going 2-for-2. On the other end, the team could not capitalize on the power play going 0-for-4. The man advantage is an area the team is looking to improve on tonight, trying to build off the momentum they found on it in their season opener and recent match against Ontario.
"It’s one of those things if you’re knocking on the door eventually it opens," head coach Dave Manson said. "You have to work to create those chances and the guys did that. There were chances there to be had we just got to find a way to finish them off."
The third period saw more action than any other period for San Diego. The team put 13 shots on goal, putting in ample effort to try to find a way through to the back of the net. Building off the good parts of the period is key to San Diego’s success.
"I think we did a better job of putting pucks in instead of trying to make too many plays at the blue lines," Schueneman said. "We got a lot of speed, so I think we’ve got to play to that. When we have the opportunities it’s not always making the perfect next pass, sometimes it’s just getting it on net."
Damian Clara is expected to be between the pipes tonight, making his first appearance since his first career AHL shutout on Oct. 10 vs. Henderson. The Italian native has made two appearances so far this season, totaling a 2.44 GAA and .914 SV%.
Following tonight the Gulls will head back home where they will take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Pechanga Arena San Diego on Wednesday, Oct. 21 for their second meeting this season (7 p.m. PDT)