Gulls' Playoff Hopes Grounded with Loss to Eagles
Published on April 24, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
The San Diego Gulls fell, 6-1, to the Colorado Eagles in Game 2 of the Pacific Division First Round, ending their 2026 Calder Cup Playoff run.
Sasha Pastujov scored the first Calder Cup Playoff goal of his AHL career. Pastujov led San Diego skaters in scoring during the regular season with 21-36=57 points.
Noah Warren tallied an assist, the first playoff point of his AHL career.
Nikolas Brouillard collected an assist, his sixth career Calder Cup Playoff helper.
Damian Clara stopped 25 shots.
POSTGAME QUOTES
SAN DIEGO GULLS
Head coach Matt McIlvane
On tonight's game
It felt like we were building a lot of momentum in the second period. I think a bit of the first we were fortunate to escape with a one goal game. In the second, we were attacking, and I thought we had them on their heels. What you're hoping is going to happen is that you can build that momentum into the third period and then we got caught up the ice and had trouble on a sort-out, and then they score early. Two-goal game at that point, and you're still expecting push back. They were able to find too many looks, and we were pressing trying to make something happen, and opening up too many things. But it's for sure just disappointing.
On the series with Colorado
Colorado is a top team in our division. They finished second. They're very, very deep. I think they're going to be pushing to come out of our division, I would imagine. With that being said, I think they've got a lot of offensive weapons. I think they play real well as a team defensively. I think that they're difficult to play against, and they present a lot of challenges to you.
On the 2025-26 season
When you zoom out, there's certainly progress. It's hard to feel any of that right now because it's such a sour taste. But it's another step in the right direction and what is going to happen inevitably from this is we've all got a taste of what AHL playoff hockey feels like. And as we're building, there's lessons that we're going to be able to grab from this moving forward, for what we're going to need to do to perform in the playoffs.
American Hockey League Stories from April 24, 2026
- Moose Stay Alive, Manitoba Edges Milwaukee to Force Game 3 - Manitoba Moose
- Gulls' Playoff Hopes Grounded with Loss to Eagles - San Diego Gulls
- Henderson Punches Ticket to Pacific Divsion Semifinals, Eliminates San Jose, 5-1 - Henderson Silver Knights
- Henderson Silver Knights Announce Schedule, Ticket On Sale for Pacific Division Semifinals - Henderson Silver Knights
- Colorado Advances to Pacific Division Semifinal with 6-1 Victory over San Diego - Colorado Eagles
- Levi, Amerks Flip the Script on Marlies - Rochester Americans
- Ads Drop Game Two to Manitoba - Milwaukee Admirals
- Romanov, Leaders Answer Call as T-Birds Force Game 3 - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Syracuse Crunch Fall to Cleveland Monsters, 3-2, in Game 1 - Syracuse Crunch
- Providence's Michael DiPietro Voted Winner of Les Cunningham Award for 2025-26 - AHL
- DiPietro Selected as Winner of Les Cunningham Award as AHL's MVP - Providence Bruins
- Bears Loan Jalen Luypen to Stingrays - Hershey Bears
- Game 2 Watch Party at Legends on Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
- Providence Bruins Sign Drew Callin to Professional Tryout - Providence Bruins
- Condors Set Tone in 6-1 Win - Bakersfield Condors
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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