San Diego Sinks to Coachella in Overtime

Feb 7, 2025

By Samantha Mason/SanDiegoGulls.com

San Diego showed America’s finest fans an exhilarating three periods of hockey tonight, but ultimately could not defeat Coachella, falling 3-2 in overtime. 

Tonight’s contest was the first game back after the week-long break and also marked Women in Sports Night.  

After no goals were scored during the first period, the Firebirds opened the scoring with two goals during the second. Ryan Carpenter scored the first goal for the Gulls, a power play goal, with an assist from Tristan Luneau and Sasha Pastujov. 

This assist marks Pastujov’s 18th of the season, breaking the record for the Gulls’ longest AHL point streak at 12 games. 

"He’s doing everything he can to get better," said Carpenter. "I think he's just had a good attitude this year. I think he's taken advantage of this opportunity. But I think everybody knew he had this ability. He drives a lot of offense for us. And I think he's hard to play against, and so he's been a huge part for us. It's been nice to see him have that individual success."

Sam Colangelo tied up the game 2-2 to kick off the third frame. Assisted by Justin Bailey and Jeremie Biakabutuka, it marks Colangelo's fifteenth goal and twenty-sixth point. This is also Biakabutuka’s first AHL career point during his first game as a San Diego Gull. 

At the end of regulation time, the score still stood tied, 2-2. About a minute into the overtime period, Coachella scored and took the win 3-2. 

With only about two months left in the 2024-25 season, the Gulls are hopeful for what the next half of the season will bring. For most, their sights are set on one thing: playoffs. 

But for now, they’re ready to hit the road. 

"Ontario is tough," said head coach Matt McIlvane. "They're another really gritty team, they're not going to back down, and we'll be up for the challenge."

The Gulls kick off their road trip this week, challenging the Ontario Reign tomorrow night (6 pm PST).