Gulls Fall to Marlies 5-3

Jan 29, 2025

By Samantha Mason/SanDiegoGulls.com 

The San Diego Gulls faced off against the Toronto Marlies tonight but ultimately came up short 5-3. 

Tonight’s contest is the first ever time these two teams have gone head-to-head at Pechanga Arena. In their previous two meetings earlier this season in Toronto, the Marlies took both wins. 

The Marlies opened the scoring and held a 1-0 lead through the first period. 

Sasha Pastujov netted the first goal for the Gulls to tie the game to extend his point streak to 10 games, one game shy of the Gulls AHL record. A power play goal assisted by Tristan Luneau and Calle Clang, it marks Pastujov’s 12th goal and 28th point of the season. This point also marks Clang’s second assist in just as many games, making him the first goaltender in Gulls AHL history to earn points in back-to-back starts. 

Toronto scored another goal, but Justin Bailey got another power play goal, assisted by Nikita Nesterenko and Jan Mysak, his first goal as a San Diego Gull. 

"Bailey was outstanding tonight," said assistant coach Kris Sparre. "[He’] electric, he really is so fast. He’s a lot for the opposition to handle, great off the rush... and it was nice to see the puck going tonight for him tonight, you know, with all the chances he's been having."

The third period saw yet another power play goal, this time from Rodwin Dionicio, assisted by Nesterenko and Yegor Sidorov. The Marlies ultimately took the win 5-3. 

The Gulls and Marlies meet again on Friday night to battle it out once again at Bill Walton Legacy Night (6 p.m. PST).