2025-2026 Playoffs Round 1 Game 1: San Diego Gulls vs Colorado Eagles

Loveland, Colorado. After dropping their final three regular season games while icing under-strength lineups the San Diego Gulls looked to put their best foot forward in the short best of three series in Colorado.

As expected the entire fourth line was changed out to allow for the regular fourth line to draw back in while Cal Burke maintained his place on the third line.

Once again the top two lines stayed the same.

Damian Clara was given the start with Tomas Suchanek backing up – confirming Calle Clangs head injury was as serious as it looked when he was run over by a combination of Konnor Smith and a Firebird forward in the Gulls final regular season game.

Drew Elliott, Coulson Pitre, Lucas Petterson, Herman Traff, Konnor Smith, Jeremie Biakabutuka and Travis Howe were the healthy scratches.

First Period:

Starting with the fourth line the Gulls managed to keep the Eagles and the first time jitters in check for the first few minutes before Damian Clara saw his first shot.

It was largely all Eagles for the next few minutes but the Gulls managed to turn things back in their direction thanks to the fourth line and followed by the top line.

Roger McQueen showed he is willing to show a lot more bite in the playoffs as he involved himself in each and every post whistle tussle.

Once again the fourth line generated some scoring chances and a net front scuffle which resulted in matching roughing minors for Middleton and Gaucher.

The Gulls disciplined and conservative game fell apart at four on four and the Eagles used the space allowed to send their defensive structure into chaos. Matt Bagsall was forced to take a tripping penalty and although the Gulls managed to kill the first minute of the minor, a terrible change during a brief clear went against them as the Eagles pounced on the mistake. 1-0 Eagles.

Colorado kept up the attack, creating another hair raising moment in which a Colorado forward stared down Clara one on one at the side of the net but elected to pass and the play was broken up. Minutes later Matt Bagsall was penalized again – but this time San Diego were able to kill the minor thanks in large part to Judd Caulfield going full beast mode.

Roger McQueen added another chapter to his long list of love letters to the Eagles as he laid a huge hit right at the final horn and Eagles Assistant Captain Jacob Middleton immediately jumped him and took him to the ice. Both teams heading to the dressing room with some further fuel for their dislike for each-other but the Gulls managing to hang in tight despite the poor penalty kill change costing them a goal.

Shots were 12-6 Eagles after the first twenty minutes of play with the shot map showing Colorado essentially having their way in the Gulls zone but San Diego still managing some chances in close.

Second Period: Colorado Eagles 1 – San Diego Gulls 0

The period started at four on four owing to the festivities to close out the first period and the Gulls this time had the better of the chances as Justin Bailey intercepted a pass and beat goaltender Trent Miner clean from the slot but hit the post – he then collected the puck but could not send it into the empty net past a diving Eagles player.

Meanwhile Colorado finished a rush the other way and beat Clara on the backhand in tight on a shot that seemed to catch him by surprise. 2-0 Eagles.

Both teams exchanged penalties over the next four minutes and on the penalty kill for the Gulls a rush by Judd Caulfield saw he and a Colorado defender bowl over Trent Miner. Nathan Gaucher was adamant the goal had crossed the line before the net came off in the collision and the Officials had a lengthy review of the play to double check – but it was deemed no goal.

As San Diego struggled to get some momentum going they were rewarded with a Power Play as Jason Polin went for Hooking. Colorado killed the minor without too much issue but both units did look much better this time and spent more time in the Eagles zone as they searched for a post season goal.

It was an uneventful final half of the middle frame and the Gulls headed to the second intermission down by two goals. Shots were 9-6 Colorado on the period and 21-12 Eagles overall. The shot map showing the Gulls doing much better but let down by a perfect backhand shot that Clara was not equal to.

Third Period: Colorado Eagles 2 – San Diego Gulls 0

San Diego needed to come out with some urgency but instead found themselves largely on the back foot as the Eagles sent wave after wave of attack into their zone for the first five minutes of the final period.

It became very clear the Officials had put away their whistles for the third as back to back cross checking penalties were left uncalled while time approached the midway point of the period.

Finally showing some desperation the Gulls looked the better team for the final five minutes of the frame but time and a stingy Colorado defense was working against them.

With 2:50 left the Gulls pulled Clara for the extra attacker – but Colorado gave no quarter and eventually got the empty net goal with 50 seconds left.

Colorado taking the all important first game in the short best of three series.

Post Game Notes:

Caulfield Custom Built

Judd Caulfield is custom built for the playoffs. Similarly so is Nathan Gaucher. Nico Myatovic was also not shy about throwing the body around. But Caulfield. Wow. He just bull-rushed his way through everyone and everything whenever he had the puck on his stick. The fourth line was the most effective Gulls line on the ice tonight and he was a massive part of it. Now – Id REALLY like a reunion of the Mysak, Pastujov and Caulfield trio but I guess seeing Caulfield dominate the game from the fourth line is better than nothing. If Caulfield has not earned an NHL contract by now I don’t know what the Ducks are thinking.

Making a Statement

Roger McQueen definitely showed a lot of pest in his game tonight – something I did not know he was entirely capable of. He was hitting every Eagle in sight, in amongst each and every post whistle scuffle and found himself tackled down to the ice after throwing a massive hit to close out the first period. I am loving this kid more and more every day.

The Good News and The Bad News

The good news is I honestly think the Gulls can take the next game, I did say before this series started that they would have to be flawless to win and they were almost were. Only the bad change during the penalty kill in the first and the opportunistic backhand shot that caught Clara by surprise is what cost them.

The bad news is the obvious – they absolutely have to win to stay alive. Do they stay with Clara? Or do they go with Suchanek? Clara actually looked pretty good. You couldn’t fault him on the first goal and I’m not sure Suchanek might have been equal to the second one either. Either way – they will have to play the most flawless and best game they have played all season.