Gulls Extinguish Firebirds 5-3 in Coachella Valley

Feb 15, 2025

By Samantha Mason/SanDiegoGulls.com 

The San Diego Gulls came out of Coachella Valley victorious tonight, taking down the Firebirds 5-3. 

Tonight’s win is the first the Gulls have taken in regulation at Acrisure Arena since the Firebirds came into the league in 2022-23. 

Tonight’s contest was full of action from the start. Within the first ten minutes of play, San Diego netted three goals. Justin Bailey and Carson Meyer each scored, both with assists from Sam Colangelo and Ryan Carpenter.  

Nathan Gaucher also scored in the opening period, with assists from Noah Warren and Tyson Hinds. The Firebirds got two in the second frame to make it a one-period battle. 

"Since the break, I think we've been playing some good hockey," said Gaucher. "We know what works for us and when we do it well, I don't think anything can beat us, so just playing with confidence, and it's going to be tight games for the rest of the season. So hopefully we come out on top."

It was clear that the Gulls’ chemistry was working in their favor tonight. To kick off the third period, Judd Caulfield put the Gulls back in the lead. Assisted by Tristan Luneau and Gacuher, this is his fifth goal and eleventh point of the season. 

Nikita Nesterenko closed out the evening, with the fifth goal on an empty net. 

For San Diego, tonight’s victory gives them more hope for the destination of this season: playoffs. 

"This is one of the big projects, getting ready to play in big moments, and for us, these moments right now," said head coach Matt McIlvane. "I know we've got a bunch of games off, but these are all really big moments, and it's great training for our guys to be able to come through it on top, it's a big thing."

The San Diego Gulls are flying home tomorrow night, this time to battle the San Jose Barracuda at Pechanga Arena (5 p.m. PST).