Gulls Fall 5-1 Against Tucson in Rematch

Dec 18, 2024

By Samantha Mason/SanDiegoGulls.com 

The San Diego Gulls gave it their all tonight but came up short 5-1 against the Roadrunners. 

The Gulls’ most recent loss against the Roadrunners ended their five-game point streak. Tonight’s matchup was the fifth time these two teams have played each other this season with San Diego falling to 1-4-0-0 in the eight-game set. 

"We like to think that we were playing better [in the first period]," said head coach Matt McIlvane. "There were some things that we addressed, and we thought we were doing better. Unfortunately, the 3-1 goal, it's a long, offensive, sustained shift, again, that turns into a three-on-one against. Then, from there, you're playing this game of catch up. There are certainly good moments in the game, but collectively, that's not enough to get it done."

Sasha Pastujov netted the first and only for the Gulls to kick off the second period, assisted by Jan Mysak and Tyson Hinds, Pastujov’s fourth goal and point of the season. For Mysak, he now has assists in three of his last four games. 

Tonight also saw the return of defenseman Dillon Heatherington, who had missed the last month with an upper-body injury. 

"I thought the first [period] and glimpses of the second and third, we were playing good hockey," said Heatherington. "Things just weren’t going our way result-wise. It’s frustrating, you have to move on. That’s the great thing about this game is that two days we’re strapping the pads back on. Looking forward to that." 

The Gulls continue their road trip this week in Colorado where they will challenge the Eagles on Friday night (6:05 p.m. PST).