2025-2026 Game 63: San Diego Gulls at Abbotsford Canucks

Abbotsford, British Columbia. After finding some consistent scoring but also suffering from some less than ideal defense the San Diego Gulls hoped to keep their win streak going as they headed north for a back to back with the Abbotsford Canucks.

With Sam Colangelo suspended for two games as a result of his boarding major in the game against Calgary and Nathan Gaucher getting a well deserved recall to the Ducks there were two spots to fill in the line-up. Coulson Pitre drew back and joined the fourth line while Drew Elliott also drew in to take the other wing on that same line. Cal Burke took Gauchers spot centering the line and Nico Myatovic moved up the line-up to take Colangelos spot on the second line.

Sadly newly signed ATO prospect Herman Traff was absent for what I can only assume was due to a visa issue.

Defensive pairings remained the same.

Calle Clang was given the start in net.

Roman Kinal and I am assuming Herman Traff were the only healthy scratches.

First Period:

Despite being mathematically eliminated the Canucks seemed determined to spoil the Gulls final stretch as they played a conservative style to start that focused on gaining the San Diego zone to get set for a simple puck back to the point play. After several attempts at this they did manage to get set and once they did it was an easy bang bang play as Clang could not control a rebound that bounced to his right and the Canucks Guillamre Brisebois was there uncovered for the easy put in. 1-0 Canucks.

San Diego woke up slightly after the goal and were given the games first Power Play as Chase Wouters was called for interference behind the play. Once again the first unit looked completely out of ideas but the second unit by contrast looked the more dangerous, creating a first chance on their first rush as Yegor Sidorov set up Solberg on a partial break with a nice soft area pass.

Unable to convert with the man advantage the fourth line carried forward some more momentum as Drew Elliot had a nice look on a rush with Coulson Pitre.

The other Gulls lines continued to press and it was all Gulls for much of the next few minutes until a brain-fart on the part of Justin Bailey saw the speedy winger turnover the puck at the San Diego blue line and the Canucks took advantage to setup a man in the slot. 2-0 Canucks,

San Diego took back control and as teams exchanged Power Plays to close out the period the Gulls looked to be the team with the most momentum and possession; they just appeared to be struggling with the lack of open ice and space allowed them.

Shots were even at ten a piece with the shot map showing Abbotsford had the early looks but the Gulls coming on towards the periods end.

Second Period: Abottsford Canucks 2 – San Diego Gulls 0

San Diego looked much better to start the second and drew a slashing call courtesy of Stian Solberg just over three minutes in.

The first unit looked better and would have had an easy tap in but for a pass being just behind Justin Bailey in the bumper. The second unit looked their usual consistent selves but could not convert either.

Canucks veteran goaltender Jiri Patera continued to frustrate the Gulls and a Canucks Power Play added to their lead as Stian Solberg turned a puck over while in formation but only had one hand on the stick so was unable to get the clear. The Canucks pounced and immediately used him as a screen to fire a shot that beat a surprised Clang. 3-0 Canucks.

Teams exchanged yet more penalties but the Canucks held firm in shutting down the ice and the Gulls struggled to find any open space to create. They did show some life on an abbreviated Power Play at the tail end of the period – with Tristan Luneau making a nice behind the back blind pass out front to Justin Bailey but Patera made the stop.

The Gulls going into the second intermission down 3-0 against a stingy and determined Canucks squad.

Shots were 11-6 Gulls om the period and 21-16 San Diego overall.

Third Period: Abbotsford Canucks 3 – San Diego Gulls 0

The Gulls played with more desperation and started to create more chances but Patera was still one step ahead and seeing everything they sent his way.

Despite another Power Play opportunity the Canucks continued to play a perfectly executed defensive game and the Gulls were prevented from getting much if any decent looks as time quickly closed in on the final few minutes of the game.

With four minutes left in the game Calle Clang hustled to the bench for the extra attacker and after one failed attempt at getting to a rebound in front the next entry and setup finally allowed Bailey to hit a rebound to the right side. 3-1 Canucks.

Abbotsford were able to kill time as they kept the Gulls in their own zone for a good twenty to thirty seconds after the goal but as soon as the Gulls got possession in the Abbotsford zone they opted for the extra attacker again and Judd Caulfield this time was able to get position and slam a puck between the legs of Patera to make it 3-2.

Just as it felt the Gulls could do the improbable a bad break the other way allowed the Canucks to use speed and numbers to maneuver Clang out of position and make it 4-2.

The dagger was all she wrote as on the very next opportunity to pull Clang the Canucks pounced on a loose puck and iced the contest. 5-2.

Post Game Notes:

Whelp

Without stating the obvious – San Diego needed to get two points out of this one. I was worried they might take their opponents too lightly but by the same token the Canucks have been a good team after the midway point of the season. They just couldn’t recover from their poor start – much like the Gulls in this game. I am not hitting the “instantly fucked” button yet but with nine games left they are going to need to get wins in at least five of those I think, starting with tomorrow night.

When Do We See Traff?

Not only was this game a huge letdown from an entertainment perspective – it also sucked because I was kind of hoping Herman Traff would make his debut. I guess it was too much to ask for that his work visa for a road trip to Canada would be sorted in the same week he signed an ATO – which means we won’t see him until the Gulls head home to face the Roadrunners on Wednesday this week. According to the Gulls app he will be sporting number 40, last worn by Keegan Kanzig in 2020-21 and Giovanni Fiore in 2016-2017.

McQueen Possibly Coming?

I have never been a fan of Frank Seravalli and his “insider” “scoops” but I do hope that he is right about this one.

It does make a lot of sense if overall it is felt he has nothing more to prove at the College level.

Magic Number Watch

The Gulls magic number is now 18, whilst the Roadrunners is 24 after their loss to the division clinching Reign yesterday. The Gulls future is in their own hands and they could make good on putting Tucson out of reach with a win over them at home this week; ideally they turn things around and pick up a win in Abbotsford tomorrow as well…