Gulls Look to Bring the Heat Against Firebirds

Mar 6, 2024

By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com    

The San Diego Gulls are back for more home ice action.   

Tonight’s mid-week matchup kicks off the first of this week’s duo of duels with the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Pechanga Arena San Diego on Wednesday and Friday, both at 7 p.m.  

Wednesday’s game marks the fourth matchup of the season between the Gulls and the Firebirds, who lead the Pacific Division standings. Their last meeting was in January at Pechanga Arena, which saw the Gulls capture a 4-2 win over the Condors.  

"With our travel that we had last week, being on the road for four days, coming home, getting back on the road, it’s an opportunity for us to kind of reset and then, Wednesday morning will be here in a hurry," head coach Matt McIlvane said. "Opportunity for us to keep some momentum, and then we know that we’ve got the top team in our division coming in that excels in line rush play. So, we’ll be wanting to limit their transition, that’s for sure."

On Monday, the Gulls kicked off their homestand on the right foot with a 5-3 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Pechanga Arena San Diego.  

Monday’s contest saw San Diego strike early, netting three goals by the end of the opening frame. The Gulls gripped onto their lead until the final second of the middle frame when Bakersfield tied the score. The Gulls fired back in the final frame, highlighted by Ben King’s second goal of the night to restore the Gulls’ lead. 

Glenn Gawdin, Trevor Carrick, and Robert Hagg each had multi-point nights to fuel the offensive outburst.  

"Sometimes, when you shake the ketchup bottle, a lot comes out at once, and tonight that was what I think we saw," McIlvane said.  

San Diego looks to carry that momentum into their second battle of the six-game homestand tonight. The Gulls will again look to rise to the challenge that awaits them on home ice not once, but twice this week.  

The Gulls will hit the rink at Pechanga Arena San Diego for round two with the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Friday, Mar. 8 (7 p.m. PST).