2025-2026 Game 09: San Diego Gulls at Henderson Silver Knights

Henderson, Nevada. Traveling back East after surrendering a one goal lead to lose 3-1 to the Colorado Eagles at home the San Diego Gulls looked to get revenge for their last visit to Henderson where they were swept in back to back contests by the Silver Knights.

Coach McIlvane went with the exact same line-up as the game against Colorado – including the distinct lack of Tyson Hinds on defense. Who at this point – I had to assume was injured.

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

Owen Lindmark and Tyson Hinds were the only scratches but as noted above – it is assumed Hinds is injured.

First Period:

Starting with the fourth line in an attempt to set the tone against the overtly physical Silver Knights the Gulls again played some sound hockey to start as they rotated through all four lines before drawing a call as Roland McKeown was tripped attempting to shift out of the San Diego zone.

The first unit again found difficulty getting set and as the second unit came on with forty seconds left in the man advantage they were not allowed much opportunity either.

San Diego had to kill a minor penalty of their own as Tristan Luneau was called for tripping the Silver Knights Jonas Rondbjerg coming through the neutral zone.

As play returned to five on five the Gulls kept pressing and through one shift a simple play of getting the puck back to the point with traffic in front saw San Diego take the lead as Nik Brouillard sent a shot from the point on net that appeared as though it could have been tipped by either San Diego forward to each side of the net but was deemed a clear goal to the second tour of duty Gulls defender. Gulls up 1-0.

The confidence boost granted after the opening score threatened to finally open the flood gates and that it did as Tristan Luneau finished off a great play started by Matthew Phillips who dislodged the puck with a huge hit in the Silver Knights zone. Tristan Luneau collected the loose puck, skated into a shooting lane and wired a low shot that produced a rebound to the right side that Luneau collected himself to deposit behind the Henderson goaltender. 2-0 Gulls.

Continuing the momentum the Mysak line also cashed in as Jan Mysak himself chased down a dump in, battled and stole a puck from a Silver Knight down low and immediately found Sasha Pastujov alone in front. The Gulls second year sniper faking a move before tucking it in on his backhand. 3-0 Gulls.

Proving that the 3-0 lead is the most dangerous in hockey the Silver Knights immediately hit back, getting a point shot on the Power Play past Husso as Pastujov sat for unsportsmanlike conduct. A silly penalty to take as the generally nonphysical winger took it upon himself to hit the Henderson player after the whistle. Husso had no chance on the blast that he was unable to track through traffic off a Silver Knights face-off win. 3-2 Gulls.

Sensing blood the Silver Knights pressed for another and were rewarded as a forced turnover in the Gulls zone was wired on net and Husso perhaps surprised by the play mismanaged the rebound which landed at Raphael Lavoies feet. 3-2 Gulls.

San Diego starting the period well and initially jumping out to a 3-0 lead but seeing that quickly disappear as the Silver Knights immediately hit back to cut it to just 3-2 heading to the first intermission. Shots were 11-9 Gulls with the shot map showing San Diego all over the Silver Knights in the early going but allowing too many chances in front for a suddenly shaky Husso.

Second Period: San Diego Gulls 3 – Henderson Silver Knights 2

The high danger chances continued to flow through the first two minutes of the middle frame as Raphael Lavoie was found sneaking behind the Gulls defense but was stopped on a clear cut breakaway by Ville Husso while a San Diego counter rush saw a backhand pass deflect right onto the Henderson net by their own player.

Konnor Smith lined up and executed an impressive Scott Stevens-esque hit at the Silver Knights blue line which he was immediately asked to answer for which he did with no trouble whatsoever from the would be combatant Viliam Kmec. Somehow – despite the obvious instigator, the Gulls did not receive a Power Play after the fight.

Play settled as time approached the midway point and the intensity levels appeared to drop slightly.

The new look Mysak line featuring Justin Bailey in the place of Judd Caulfield struck again as Bailey himself finished off a perfect Jan Mysak feed on a two on one rush that was started by a nice soft area pass by Sasha Pastujov. Gulls 4-2.

The Gulls slid into a road-lead rhythm as they shadowed Silver Knight puck movers and looked to rush at every chance en-route to clearly owning possession as the clock ticked its way toward the end of the period.

A Henderson partial break ended in some good puck luck for the Gulls as the Silver Knights hit the post on a cross-crease feed and San Diego finished the period with some more offensive pressure in the Henderson zone.

The Gulls taking a 4-2 lead into the second intermission and adding to their lead in shots, 9-4 on the period and 20-14 overall. The true test being whether they could keep it up for the full sixty minutes and close out the win against one of the leagues hottest teams.

Third Period: San Diego Gulls 4 – Henderson Silver Knights 2

San Diego started the period facing down a relentless Henderson attack but handling it well as they took the bumps and gave them right back as well as boxing out in front of their own net.

A brief four on four as a result of some testiness in front of the San Diego net saw the ice open up but the Gulls still keeping a strict hold on shots in close.

As time passed over the midway mark the jitters started to unsettle the Gulls as Ville Husso was called upon to make another huge stop on a point blank chance for Raphael Lavoie in front. Moments later Yegor Sidorov was called for high sticking and sent his team back to the penalty kill.

San Diego managed to kill the minor with only two dangerous opportunities testing Ville Husso and as play returned to five on five the ice began to stretch as the Silver Knights began to take chances to find an equaliser.

A nice break-out started by Matthew Phillips behind the net to Nik Brouillard who was allowed time and space to spot and head-man a perfect pass to a streaking Yegor Sidorov. The Belurussian sniper making a move across the front of the Henderson net to neatly pop the puck in on his backhand. 5-2 Gulls.

With under four minutes remaining the Silver Knights pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker and the consistent pressure proved too much for the Gulls puck luck as a bounce in front did not go their way. Gulls 5-3.

Henderson pulled their net-minder again but the Gulls remained strong and after some heroic shot blocks as well as withstanding some dirty tactics – Matthew Phillips sustaining a cheapshot behind the play that resulted in a Gulls Power Play with a minute and a half remaining. The Gulls managed to add to their lead once again as Nico Myatovic finally broke his scoring drought by wiring a shot from the right circle that squeaked through the Henderson goaltender. Gulls 6-3.

The chippiness continued into the final minute as Nathan Gaucher was called for tripping but that was all she wrote as the Gulls closed out the victory to end the seven game win streak of the leagues hottest team.

Post Game Notes:

Caulfield Consistency

I get that Justin Bailey is a somewhat streaky player and when you can get him going it’s a good idea to give him all the opportunities you can but after the switch-up you barely noticed Judd Caulfield – I actually tweeted at one point that he was injured because I hadn’t heard his name since early in the first. I guess it shows just how important Jan Mysak is to driving play as well as the fortunes of his line-mates.

It is good to see Justin Bailey starting to heat up and hopefully the idea is to get him hot enough that he can be placed back with Tim Washe or perhaps Ryan Carpenter to catch either of those lines afire while returning the Mysak line to their regularly scheduled trio of dominance.

Hinds Still MIA

This was Hinds second straight game on the shelf and at this point you have to assume he is injured. That said – Konnor Smith is taking this opportunity and absolutely running with it. He again did not look out of place, making decisive defensive plays, little to no mistakes and sneaky good shots on net that reminded me of vintage Andy Welinski in that they somehow always found their way through layers of traffic. Not to mention the Scott Stevens’esque hit and subsequent beat-down that occurred after – which we already know is a trademark of his game.

Hopefully we receive some sort of news or update on Hinds over the coming week.

Is This The Ketchup Bottle Moment?

Since blowing out the Firebirds 5-0 in the season opener the Gulls offense has been inconsistent at best. The threat of an explosion in scoring has been there lingering but frustratingly has not eventuated. Is this that moment?

Nik Brouillard and Yegor Sidorov had three point nights while Jan Mysak, Sashas Pastujov and Matthew Phillips had two points each with six completely different goal scorers – you really could not have asked for more.

Phillips now has a team leading 12 points in 9 games with Sidorov second with 8 points in 9 games. Sidorov also took the team lead in goal scoring with his goal tonight – his fourth of the season.

The win brings the Gulls to 3-4-2 through nine games and just one game below .500 but also went a long way in proving that they can compete with and take down the top dogs in the division. Here is hoping they take further inspiration from their parent club and similarly put on a hot-streak of their own to put the rest of the league on notice.