San Diego Wraps Up Season at Coachella
Apr 21, 2024By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com
There’s a last time for everything.
Hitting the rink standing on the brink of their final battle, the San Diego Gulls will look to close out the 2023-2024 season with a bang as they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds Sunday night at Acrisure Arena for the second of back-to-back games (3 p.m. PDT).
It’s been a wild ride for San Diego this season.
Fresh off their final home game, the Gulls set into tonight’s meeting feeling lucky to have something so special, that makes parting from so difficult. Even if it’s only until next hockey season.
Saturday night was Fan Appreciation Night at Pechanga Arena San Diego which saw the Gulls leave their all on home ice for America’s Finest Fans. Fueled by a supportive fan base, the Gulls made their presence known early and their determination heard loudly as they drove play, but fell short 5-4 in overtime.
"Fans were great," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "The energy was awesome in the building the whole game and we also gave them a lot to cheer about. But our fans today were excellent, just like they are the whole season, and unfortunately, we didn’t get the result for them."
Andrew Agozzino didn’t let the night pass him without making history, netting his 24th goal of the season, his 62nd point of the campaign (24-38=62) to earn the Gulls’ single-season points record.
The net also received goals from Jan Mysak, Sasha Pastujov, and Pavol Regenda.
With some standout performances on the road over the campaign, San Diego’s road warrior spirit will be put to the test once more tonight to wrap up a journey filled with pride, grit, and growth.
"I think these games can be tough to play late in the season like this," Agozzino said. "But you have to be a professional and show up and do your job. It’s one last effort together as a group, and one last effort for yourself, to finish off the season strong."
Let’s finish strong, San Diego!