Gulls Can’t Solve Reign, Fall 4-1
Nov 23, 2024By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls made it a game, but in the end, they couldn’t figure out the Ontario Reign at home, falling 4-1 Saturday night.
Reign goaltender Erik Portillo set the tone for Ontario, stopping 33-of-34 San Diego shots.
Ontario got out to a hot start in the opening frame, jumping out to a 2-0 lead off goals from Samuel Fagemo and Jack Studnicka.
The Gulls finally struck in the second after Roman Kinal was freed from the penalty box and netted his first career AHL goal to pull San Diego within one. Nico Myatovic picked up his first AHL point and assist with the lone helper on Kinal’s goal.
"It's a heck of a shot coming out of the box," assistant coach Kris Sparre said. "He didn't have much of an angle there and he finds a way to pick the top corner. He's a solid defenseman. He's a great, great human being. The guys like him, he provides stability when he's in the lineup. And yeah, we're happy to have him around."
The Reign quickly reestablished their two-goal advantage early in the third, as Jeff Malott deposited his second goal of the season 35 seconds into the middle frame. They put the nail in the coffin with an empty-net goal in the closing seconds from Charles Hudon.
Former Gull Glenn Gawdin was a thorn in San Diego’s side, posting three assists.
Oscar Dansk stopped 25 shots in net.
The Gulls will get an extended break before they hit the ice again next Saturday when they take on the Tucson Roadrunners (6 p.m. PST).