Gulls Fly into Battle with Firebirds

Apr 14, 2024

By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com    

The San Diego Gulls are ready to bring the heat in a Sunday showdown as they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena for the third contest of their current road campaign (3 p.m. PDT).  

The Gulls’ latest Friday night duel was a tightly contested one, as San Diego fell just short 4-3 in overtime in the final meeting of their series with the Ontario Reign. Drew Helleson, Trevor Carrick, and Pavol Regenda each scored on the night.  

"These two teams are a rivalry, and they are that way for a reason," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "Over the years, of course, the proximity, but two teams that are really coming out to win a hockey game. This game was a fight all the way to the end. Appreciate the way our guys fought."

Over five games previously played, San Diego has grabbed a pair of wins over Coachella, who currently sit on top in the Pacific Division standings.  

Their most recent action was a two-game set at Pechanga Arena San Diego which saw Sasha Pastujov power San Diego to a 4-3 shootout victory on March 6 while Ben King was the lone scorer in the Gulls’ fall on March 8.  

After tonight’s meeting, the eight-game competition between the Gulls and Firebirds continues next weekend. San Diego will host Coachella on April 20 for their final home contest before flocking to the Firebirds’ building the very next day to finish the 2023-2024 season.  

Tonight, San Diego will aim to carry both their energy from Friday’s game and the no-quit mentality that’s strengthened them all season to the ice at Coachella. 

"There’s a lot to play for," McIlvane said. "If we’re not playing for standings, or making the playoffs, or whatever, there’s pride of team and pride of individual. Finishing what you start, finishing with quality, things that matter, and that, I’m pleased with."

For now, the road trip goes on for San Diego as they prepare to close their season series with the Colorado Eagles in back-to-back matches at Blue Arena beginning on Tuesday, April 16 (7:05 p.m.).