Gulls to Challenge Coachella at Pechanga Arena

Feb 7, 2025

By Samantha Mason/SanDiegoGulls.com

After a well-deserved week of rest, the San Diego Gulls are ready to battle it out with the Coachella Valley Firebirds tonight on home ice (7 p.m. PST; TV: AHLTV on FloHockey; Radio: Gulls Audio Network). 

The weeklong break was a result of the AHL All-Star Weekend taking place February 2-3. The Gulls’ very own Sam Colangelo represented the team as part of the Pacific Division, who ended up falling to the Central Division in the championship game.  

San Diego saw yet another exciting milestone this past week. On Feb. 5, the American Hockey League named Sasha Pastujov the AHL Player of the Month for January. In the span of the month alone, the forward collected 19 points (6-13=19) in 12 games, and currently owns the longest point streak in the league at 11 games. 

Pastujov is the first Gulls player to be given this award in team history. He is leading all Gulls skaters in points (12-17=29) and is currently co-leading in assists.  

"Well-deserved first and foremost," said head coach Matt McIlvane. "You love to celebrate stories like that…For Sasha, the skill part is undeniable, what he’s got when the puck is on his stick. 

"He was able to be reliable right away. When the puck is on his stick, he was able to make magic happen. We’re really happy for him." 

Tonight, San Diego is ready for an action-packed three periods against Coachella. This evening’s contest also marks the halfway point of the season, and San Diego has their eyes on the playoffs. 

"[It’s] just that same resilience we’ve had all year," Pastujov said. "Thirty-one games is a lot of games, and two and a half months is a lot of time. We’re going to put our best foot forward, and the chase is definitely here for the playoffs, and everyone knows that in there. It all starts [tonight]."

Next weekend, the Gulls kick off a four-game road trip, where they will face Ontario, Abbotsford and Coachella. San Diego and Ontario go head-to-head next Saturday, February 8, at Toyota Arena (6 pm PST).