PREVIEW: Gulls, Reign Square Off In Disco Night Matchup
Jan 28, 2023By AJ Manderichio/SanDiegoGulls.com
Throw on those bell bottom jeans and fire up the Volkswagens – Disco Night is here!
The San Diego Gulls look to bring the groovy vibes of the disco era tonight when they host the rival Ontario Reign at Pechanga Arena San Diego (7 p.m. PT; TV: AHL TV; RADIO: Gulls Audio Network). Disco Night is action-packed with fan activities, starting with a themed tailgate at 5 p.m. in the North parking lot, featuring live music from Lumen Atra. There are photo opportunities with Gulliver and the Gulls Girls. In addition, The Animal Pad (TAP), a local non-profit animal rescue, will be onsite with Second Chance Beer Co. providing dog adoption opportunities for the first time this season. The tailgate has several far-out activities for fans of all ages, as well as food and $8 Gulls Blue Line Blond Ales available for purchase and an enter-to-win for a Disco Night jersey.
A wide selection of Disco Night memorabilia for purchase including hats, t-shirts and jerseys is available at merchandise stands located at Sections 16, 20 and 24 as well as on the team’s online store. All in attendance are encouraged to wear their grooviest attire to the game and can participate in a disco dance party on the ice during the first intermission.
In addition, the San Diego Gulls Foundation will host an auction featuring autographed player-worn Disco Night jerseys and select special edition Disco Night pucks signed by Gulls players. The Foundation will also host a game-worn jersey raffle and a Disco Night Surprise Puck sale during the game.
On the ice, San Diego and Ontario continue their eight-game regular-season series tonight, with the Gulls earning a 1-4-0-0 record against their rivals this season following a 4-1 win on Nov. 13 and losses on Jan. 14 (5-2), Jan. 13 (3-1), Oct. 21 (2-1) and Oct. 22 (5-1). The Gulls hold a 44-34-4-2 regular season record all-time against the Reign, including a 22-17-3-0 in record in San Diego. Benoit-Olivier Groulx (1-3=4), Rocco Grimaldi (2-2=4) and Nikolas Brouillard (1-3=4) are tied for the most points earned against the Reign this season. Aidan Dudas (4-2=6) paces the Reign with six points against the Gulls in 2022-23, including a two-point effort in his most recent game against the Gulls on Jan. 14. Jordan Spence leads all Reign defensemen against San Diego with 0-4=4 points.
"They’re a team that starts out real fast," Gulls head coach Roy Sommer said following San Diego’s game last night. "They didn’t play tonight, so they’re coming in here rested. We should have our feet underneath us – we played two in three. They play real fast; you got to shut them down. They got some players (where) you gotta know when they’re on the ice. If you don’t, they’ll hurt you. But we’ve played them before, actually have had some pretty good games in here. Just kind of go from there."
The Gulls are looking to rebound from a tough loss to the Bakersfield Condors last night. The Gulls jumped out to a two-goal lead – and held a one-goal advantage after 40 minutes – before Bakersfield scored twice in the final frame to earn the win.
"I think it's just in the small details of our game," Gulls left wing David Cotton said about the loss. "I think the goals that we did give up came off of self-inflicted turnovers. I mean, kept it simple, kept getting behind the d(efense) and establishing a forecheck. That's when we found a lot more success. So just little habits and little things that we can clean up but, overall, I thought it was good night for the boys. Competing, working hard. We just got to clean up the little things."
Cotton found success despite the result, scoring the game’s first goal to collect 1-2=3 points in his previous two contests. It marks the highest point total over a two-game span in the Parker, TX native’s American Hockey League career. In addition, it marks the first time he’s recorded points in consecutive games in a Gulls sweater.
Another strength of the Gulls is the offensive contributions from the blue line. The trio of Michael Del Zotto, Axel Andersson and Drew Helleson recorded assists last night, giving San Diego’s blueliners 25-of-72 points over the last 11 games. Del Zotto continues to drive the group, leading all team defensemen with 4-9=13 points since Dec. 19.
To earn a win over their rival, the Gulls know they’ll need a complete, 60-minute effort.
"I think we just have to play the same way, the whole 60 minutes, right from the start," Gulls forward Bryce Kindopp said. "Just not get away from our habits. Not sit back and bring it to them and I think we'll be fine."
Ontario enters tonight with six wins in their last 10 games. The team is steadily climbing the Pacific Division rankings, occupying the fifth spot in the division’s pecking order, four points ahead of the Tucson Roadrunners. Ontario last played Wednesday, earning a 3-2 overtime win against the Calgary Wranglers. Lias Andersson scored the tying goal with 2:11 left in regulation before tallying the game-winner 33 seconds into overtime.
Andersson enters tonight on a hot streak, averaging a goal-per-game in his last eight contests.