Preview: Fight Of The Feathered: Gulls Face Roadrunners

Dec 23, 2023

By Morgan Korovec/SanDiegoGulls.com  

Tonight’s battle of the birds has the San Diego Gulls prepared to fight, not take flight. 

Looking to ring in the holidays in high spirits, the Gulls are after redemption tonight as they host the Tucson Roadrunners at Pechanga Arena San Diego (6 p.m. PST) for the penultimate home game before the new year. 

The teams last faced off at Tucson Convention Center Arena in late October for what was only the Gulls’ third contest of the season. San Diego fell 2-1 to Tucson in a tight battle that was enough to ruffle their feathers. 

For San Diego, the takeaway was the gravity of creating and maintaining momentum in an early-start game like it was, as well as creating offensive energy and not letting slip-ups disrupt their play on ice and in their minds. 

Now that the Gulls have earned their wings more so than when they first met with the Roadrunners early in the season, they will seek to vigorously defend their home ice tonight. 

Last night, the Gulls came up short in their bid to collect a fourth victory over Rockford, falling 3-2 in overtime. 

"I thought we competed really hard tonight," assistant coach Kris Sparre said after last night’s overtime loss. "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."

Nikita Nesterenko kicked off San Diego’s offense as he collected his fifth goal of the season, and the team’s first of the night. 

Trevor Carrick evened up the score to force the game into overtime, also earning his fifth goal of the season. 

Looking ahead to a fresh start to kick off the weekend, the Gulls will go after a win on home ice. The team will aim to both build off and maintain what they have done well, while also keeping a mindset open for growth, seeking continued improvement and consistent play on the ice. 

"Quick turnaround," center Andrew Agozzino said after last night’s game. "Just get ready for it. You know, physically and mentally, put this on behind us. Know that we played well, and we had a chance to win the game and with the great comeback and be ready to go tomorrow."

The Gulls are next set to faceoff with the Roadrunners away at Tucson Convention Center Arena on Dec. 30 for their final contest before the new year.  

Until then, San Diego readies to flock to Coachella Valley next week to face the Firebirds on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. PST.