Gulls Secure Straight Seventh Win in Shutout of Calgary
Feb 26, 2025
By Samantha Mason/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls defeated the Calgary Wranglers tonight 4-0 on home ice, stretching their winning streak to lucky number seven.
San Diego has been on their longest victory streak since the 2020-21 season. This spectacular performance has bumped them one step closer to going to the Calder Cup playoffs.
Tonight marked the Gulls debut of goaltender Ville Husso, who stopped all 34 shots. Husso is the first goaltender in Gulls AHL history to record a shutout in his team debut.
"It's been a little hectic [for a] couple days," said Husso. "I was in Austin with the Grand Rapids team, and then I got the call to be a Gull. I was really excited. I came in here yesterday, had a morning skate, and I was ready to go right away. So, it was easy to come in, good group of guys and took it all right away. And it was easy to jump in. It was nice to right away actually get some action and feel the puck."
"He allowed us the opportunity to find our game today," said head coach Matt McIlvane. "What Ville did was he allowed us as a team to settle into a game and have a much better second, and I thought, an even better third. So, we were thankful for him today for sure."
The opening frame came and went without a goal from either team. Justin Bailey scored a power play goal a mere four seconds into the second period, which ties the AHL record for fastest goal to start a period.
Pastujov netted his 16th goal of the season not too long after, putting the Gulls in the lead 2-0 with an assist from Jan Mysak and Tristan Luneau.
Luneau, who recorded two assists this evening, now holds the Gulls AHL record with a seven-game assist streak.
"I think it's just reflecting all the team plays right now," said Luneau. "We're also on a seven-game winning streak, so it just shows the team's doing well, so everyone kind of gets more points."
The score climbed to 3-0 in San Diego’s favor with a third goal from Easton Brodzinski, his first career AHL goal. Shortly after the Wranglers pulled their goalie with five minutes left, Nathan Gaucher scored a fourth goal to put the game away.
"We're thankful for the win," said McIlvane. "There was a lot of good as the game went on. We're always looking for chances to learn and get better. But you know, we'll get rest, we'll have a great practice, and then we'll get ready for Coachella."
The Gulls continue their three-game homestand this weekend, where they will host the Coachella Valley Firebirds for Emo Night (7 pm PST).
