Gulls win defensive battle, shut out Silver Knights 2-0 in home opener
Credit: San Diego Gulls
The San Diego Gulls played their home opener Saturday night against the Henderson Silver Knights. The Gulls opened the season on the road for the fifth straight year before returning home to beat the Silver Knights 2-0.
San Diego had trouble in transition during the first period but were able to outshoot the Silver Knights 9-3. Henderson’s penalty kill was strong throughout the first, as they took three penalties but San Diego could not capitalize. The trouble stemmed mostly from difficult transitions, especially against Henderson’s penalty kill and maintaining possession in the offensive zone. The game remained scoreless after the first.
The second period was a similar theme, with neither team being able to sustain possession. Defense for both teams made it difficult for either side to sustain possession or create strong scoring opportunities. Damian Clara had a strong period as Henderson outshot the Gulls 8-4. Lucius Pettersson had a strong chance halfway through the second on a breakaway attempt, showing how San Diego could create dangerous chances with speed in transition. Ending the second, the score remained 0-0 with few quality scoring opportunities for either side.
🤌🤌🤌#LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/RmtiCFGC77
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) October 11, 2026
Defense continued to control the game, with frequent turnovers but few quality scoring opportunities for both teams. San Diego saw opportunities by using their speed, forcing turnovers, and breaking toward their offensive zone. Pettersson created multiple chances in transition, including a breakaway and a 2-on-1, but Henderson kept him off the board.
San Diego’s first goal came from that same formula, using speed in transition to create an odd-man rush that led to Roger McQueen’s third goal of the season with about three minutes left in regulation. Henderson then pulled their goalie in an attempt to tie the game, but the Gulls’ offense was able to force another turnover to score their second with only a fraction of a second left in regulation, closing the door and securing their first home win of the season.
ROGER MCQUEEN'S GAME-WINNING GOAL!#LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/Aclzbb739G
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) October 11, 2026
This was truly a battle of defense, with the majority of the game staying tied at zero. Clara secured his first shutout win in the AHL with the help of the Gulls’ defensemen to get the puck away from their defensive zone.
FORZA DAMIAN!
Congratulations on your first career @TheAHL shutout!#LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/uK4CAYP6CT
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) October 11, 2026
A San Diego local, Bill brings his interest in the city’s sports to East Village Times. He looks beyond the final score to tell the stories of the people and moments that shape each game.