2025-2026 Game 06: San Diego Gulls vs San Jose Barracuda

San Diego, California. Desperately hoping to get back in the win column the San Diego Gulls returned home to face the San Jose Barracuda after dropping their last four games, including a 5-2 loss to the Silver Knights in Henderson.

With Nathan Gaucher returning from injury and with the Gulls struggling offensively Coach McIlvane threw the lines into a blender. A new look top line saw Ryan Carpenter centering Yegor Sidorov and Matthew Phillips. While the stand-out line of last season – Pastujov-Mysak-Caulfield was finally reinstated. Both Nico Myatovic and Justin Bailey were moved down to the third line to join Tim Washe. Travis Howe returned to the line-up and joined Cal Burke flanking Nathan Gaucher.

Defensive pairings were also changed up – all but the Luneau and Solberg pairing which remained intact.

Ville Husso was given the start with Calle Clang once again backing up.

Coulson Pitre now became the only injury but was announced earlier this week as getting close to returning while Konnor Smith, Ryan Lautenbach, Drew Elliott and Owen Lindmark were the scratches.

First Period:

Starting with the reunited Mysak line the Gulls put the pressure on early and earned a Power Play less than a minute in as the Barracuda were called for too many men.

The first attempt with the man advantage went just as horribly as we have been used to lately but the Gulls were given another chance as Matthew Phillips was hit very late behind the play a minute or so later. With the first unit winning the offensive zone face-off and managing to keep the zone for thirtyish seconds without a shot it was up to the second unit to make good on the Power Play opportunity and that they did as Matthew Phillips dangled down low to get the puck into the crease area which in turn created enough chaos and a rebound squirted out to Yegor Sidorov at the side. 1-0 Gulls.

San Diego kept up the pressure – once again led by the Mysak line and it seemed almost as if nothing had changed from when we last saw the trio together last season but the Barracuda managed to create some counter rushes and pressure of their own. Justin Bailey took a – for want of a better word – silly penalty as he cross-checked Pavol Regenda from behind in the middle of the ice.

The Gulls killed the minor but play started to become chippy as both teams battled for territory – an incidental open ice collision saw Yegor Sidorov and a Barracuda player go down but Sidorov thankfully returned to the ice with four minutes left in the opening frame.

The final few minutes of the period ending with some back and forth chances but the Gulls clearly enjoying the better of them as well as the possession and the open ice allowed by a San Jose squad not so well versed in shutting down the neutral zone. The Gulls taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission and – as is the case this often in this early season – dominating in shots 17-9. The shot map backing up exactly how the period looked from a momentum perspective.

Second Period: San Diego Gulls 1 – San Jose Barracuda 0

In a near mirror image of the start of the first – the Gulls started the period well and were given a Power Play chance but looked terrible on it as the Barracuda used the kill to gain momentum, almost tying things up on two separate mishaps of San Diego’s own creation.

The Mysak line once again settled things down and started creating sustained pressure and back to back chances in the Barracuda zone followed by the third and then the fourth line.

Just as Nathan Gaucher looked some of his vintage best by leading a rush that almost resulted in the Gulls second goal – his line then got hemmed in by the Barracuda on back to back to back to back (six in total) icing calls before finally getting a change but the period remained firmly in the Barracudas grasp as they chased the equaliser and the Gulls just struggled to get out of their zone.

Just as it felt like a San Jose game tying goal was an inevitability a nice zone exit by Noah Warren and drop off to Matthew Phillips saw the Gulls enter the Barracuda zone with speed and numbers. Phillips taking the puck all the way to the near side before sending a pass off in front that was immediately one-timed on net by Tim Washe who then punched in his own rebound to make it 2-0. Gulls 2-0.

Pushing for another immediately after Justin Bailey thought he finally had his first of the season but it was waved off right away due to an early whistle.

Another penalty to the Gulls – this time to Nik Brouillard for hooking – allowed San Jose another chance to get on the board but San Diego kept a tight formation while a very clam but adventurous Ville Husso stopped every chance while even stepping out to play the puck himself at points of the penalty kill.

As time expired on the middle frame the Gulls headed to the second intermission up by two but not exactly deserving of the lead after allowing San Jose to own possession and momentum for much of the period. Shots were 12-11 Barracuda on the period and 28-21 Gulls overall. The shot map showing the Gulls finishing on one of their chances but needing to tighten up in front of their own net.

Third Period: San Diego Gulls 2 – San Jose Barracuda 0

San Diego played an almost road-like style as they protected the two goal lead by conservatively holding possession wherever possible but were caught with too many men and were forced to kill the two minute infraction through the first few minutes of the period.

After play returned to five on five the Gulls took back control and it was their turn to keep sustained pressure in the San Jose zone as they rolled through almost all four lines while peppering shots on the Barracuda goaltender Gabriel Carriere as time quickly passed over the midway mark.

A solid five minute shift that almost seemed unfair as the Gulls rolled back to back dominating shifts from the top line followed by the Mysak line saw the Barracuda finally clear the zone with three minutes left to play and pull their goaltender in the process. Tim Washe immediately pounced on the loose puck after the Gulls defense broke up the San Jose six on five rush and sent it from his side of the red line into the empty net to make it 3-0.

A center ice skirmish that resulted after Nico Myatovic retaliated with a cross check to a big hit saw the Gulls down a man for two minutes with just over two minutes left.

The Barracuda thought they had one but it was immediately waved off as it was clearly batted in with a high stick even without seeing the replay.

Ville Husso went for the empty net goal but was stopped by the Barracuda at center ice as the Gulls killed the remainder of the time to take the much needed 3-0 win to improve to 2-3-1 on the season.

Post Game Notes:

Power Forward Progression

(Other than the obvious Ville Husso) Judd Caulfield was the clear standout player for me in this game. Today he was in full beast mode – clearly feeling justified in being reunited with the same trio that made such a formidable force for much of last season. When he is feeling it – he is everywhere; hitting, rushing, crashing the net, standing up an attack and most of all – pissing the other team off. Caulfield was not a Ducks selection but you can see why Verbeek coveted him in the trade with Pittsburgh that sent Thimo Nickl the other way; kid is a power forward that continues to develop at a quiet but steady pace.

Nico Myatovic on the other hand – is a Ducks selection and one they have been providing every opportunity to. As noted on the broadcast he was made the Captain of the Ducks at this years Rookie Tournament and has definitely grown his game a hell of a lot since last season. For one – he is going to dirty areas, driving the net in a completely fearless way and playing a responsible two-way game with minimal to no direction required from his mentor Ryan Carpenter. He – like Caulfield – also excels at pissing off opponents by driving the net and digging for loose pucks.

Then there is Nathan Gaucher. The Ducks 22nd overall pick in 2022 has had a checkered start to his pro career and it feels like this year is make or break for him. He won’t ever be a point per game power forward type – he is more a defensive specialist – but even that looked in question today as his line was hemmed in for a good five minutes on six back to back icings in the second period. This isn’t meant as a dig – he had some really good showings in this game also – right before that nightmare five minutes he had lead a rush that almost resulted in a goal and this was his first game of the season after returning from injury. I am just starting to worry about where his development progression takes him at this point.

S.T.I.L.L Storming Stian

I mentioned this on twitter during the game but Stian Solberg is developing at a phenomenal rate. The last game we saw him throwing his weight around at will. Today we saw him leading his own zone exit and zone entries as well as sending head-man passes that almost created goals. At this rate I expect by season’s end he will be the Gulls best defender not named Tristan Luneau and may overtake Tyson Hinds as the next call-up after him.

Early Season Stats and Standings

Through six games of play no Gulls are in the top 20 in league scoring – the team’s leader – Matthew Phillips; comes in at 41st with 7 points in 6 games.

Despite how terrible the Power Play has been – Yegor Sidorov does feature in the top twenty with his two man advantage tallies.

Sidorov also sits seventh in the league in first goals scored with two.

Sasha Pastujov is 20th in the league in shots on goal and leads the Gulls with 23 to his name.

After today’s effort Tim Washe now co-leads the league in insurance markers with two.

Caulfield and Washe lead the team in goals but Caulfield is shooting at a too-high 33.3% rate so unlikely he keeps that up; but I would imagine he will start piling on the assists if this second coming of the Mysak line stays together.

Ville Husso is tied for the lead league in shut outs with for other goaltenders and sits 14th in GAA with 2.04, he sits 10th with a 0.927 SV% and has faced the 8th most shots with 137.

As for the standings – this victory pushes the Gulls back up to seventh in the Pacific – tied with the Firebirds in points percentage but with more regulation wins. They are now just behind the Roadrunners and Condors in that middle pack. Surprisingly the Canucks have dropped to the bottom of the division currently riding a five game losing streak. Heading into Coachella Valley tomorrow the Gulls should be ready for a fired up Firebirds squad who will want revenge for their home opener as well as their recent loss to Calgary this past weekend.