Gulls Aim Set on Abbotsford Again

Oct 26, 2024

By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com 

Following a road-trip opening loss to the Abbotsford Canucks last night, the San Diego Gulls are looking to get back in the win column tonight at Abbotsford Centre (7 p.m. PT; TV: AHLTV on Flo Hockey; Radio: Gulls Audio Network). 

After getting out of the gates hot Friday night with a first-period goal from Yegor Sidorov, his third of the season, the Gulls couldn’t establish their footing in the following the opening frame. San Diego had a combined seven shots on net in the final two periods, including just one in the second period. 

"Just kind of disappointing," center Ryan Carpenter said. "[We had] a chance to respond after a bad second period and we didn't really have much push in the third… I felt like most guys tonight didn't have their best, myself included. Just unacceptable."

The Gulls have yet to find sustained success against the Canucks since they came into the league in 2022, going 4-12-1-0 against them and 2-7-0-0 on the road. Friday night marked the first of eight games against Abbotsford, including four of the next six games. 

"They work hard," Carpenter said. "They put pucks behind you and they forecheck well. They gap up on you. They defend hard and that's how we want to play too. They did a better job of that [Friday] and that was the outcome."

After Calle Clang stood on his head last night making 35 saves in the contest, it should be Oscar Dansk in net for San Diego tonight. The 30-year-old Swede is looking for his first victory of the season. 

Following tonight’s game, the Gulls will head to Calgary for two games against the Wranglers at the Saddledome, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 29 (6 p.m. PT).