Gulls Can’t Sweep IceHogs, Drop Contest 3-2 In OT

Dec 22, 2023

By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com  

The San Diego Gulls entered the night looking to sweep the Rockford IceHogs but came up short as they dropped tonight’s close contest 3-2 in overtime. 

"I thought we competed really hard tonight," assistant coach Kris Sparre said. "You know, our start carried through the game, we were physical. We played a really competitive game. I’m happy we were able to get that one at the end and able to turn that competitiveness at least into a point. It’s a tough one in overtime."

The game marks San Diego’s first loss of four contests together this season against Rockford, as the Gulls’ attack tonight wasn’t enough to cool the heated IceHogs.  

Gulls skaters teased fans with some close shots around the net in the opening frame, yet for both teams, the back of the net remained undiscovered through the end of the first period of play.  

"Yeah, we had so many chances today," Nikita Nesterenko said. "Their goalie played well, hats off to him, but if we keep doing the right things and getting those chances more of them are going to go in than not."

Rockford finally broke the seal at 3:49 in the second as Jackson Cates deposited a power play goal to put the team up on the scoreboard first. 

The IceHogs extended their lead to two after another move on the power play, as Boris Katchouk snuck the puck in at 8:46 in the second period. 

San Diego was quick to respond, cutting Rockford’s lead back at 8:59 as Nesterenko received the puck and fired it through traffic, depositing his fifth goal of the season. 

At 19:40 into the third, Trevor Carrick beat the clock and found the equalizing goal, firing the puck from the point past Drew Commesso to even up the score and force the game into overtime. Carrick recorded his fifth goal of the season, giving him his 19th point. 

In OT, David Gust of Rockford raced the puck down the ice and sealed Rockford’s victory. 

"We've had our share chances in overtime," center Andrew Agozzino said. "We've had a bunch of posts and had looks but that's overtime. You might only get one chance and usually if you don't score on that chance, it's going back the other way. So, you know, unfortunately we weren't able to get one in there tonight."

Ben King, Olen Zellweger, and Jacob Perreault each recorded an assist on the night. 

The Gulls return to the rink at Pechanga Arena San Diego tomorrow night to host the Tucson Roadrunners (6 p.m. PST). 

"Yeah, it’s a quick turnaround, especially in an emotional game like we had tonight," Sparre said. "We’ll get our rest here tonight. Tough on these back to backs, but I think we’re going to find our way early in that game and play simple, play hard, and play as a team. It’s the last game going into the break so we should have enough juice to find a way to get it done."