The season officially started for both the San Diego Gulls and San Jose Barracuda as they faced off Saturday in San Jose, where the Gulls won 5-1.

This marked the fifth straight season San Diego opened on the road. They made the most of the out-of-town faceoff by opening the game up in the third with two power-play goals. The game stayed out of reach with Laurent Brossoit in the net, making 29 saves and allowing one goal.

In the first period, San Diego outshot San Jose 16-5 but couldn’t find the back of the net. There were some strong chances for the Gulls in the first, including a 5-on-3 power play, but the Barracuda defense stayed steady and worked out of it. San Diego worked to create chances in front of the net while San Jose contested that space, with a scuffle breaking out at the end of the period.

San Jose did a better job disrupting San Diego’s entries into the offensive zone. Stian Solberg was charged with a penalty for roughing, forcing San Diego onto the penalty kill. The Gulls killed the penalty, and Solberg immediately jumped into the rush after leaving the box, helping set up James Hamblin on a two-on-two for the opening goal.

Defense ➡️ offense 🚨#LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/R58tg38fqM

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) October 3, 2026

Entering the third period, the Gulls led 1-0. San Diego started pulling away after San Jose was charged with a pair of roughing penalties. The game stayed physical as the Barracuda didn’t take kindly to the Gulls setting up camp in the crease. Matthew Phillips and Roger McQueen both scored on separate power play opportunities, with both goals developing from the front of the net.

San Jose generated more pressure in the third and spent more time attacking in the Gulls’ defensive zone. The Barracuda had 16 shots on goal compared to San Diego’s 8, but Brossoit locked them down, only allowing one goal on 30 attempts for the day. The key was that the Gulls worked better on transitions. They forced turnovers that led to goals.

Lightning strike reported in SJ ⚡️#LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/OnhOCXhtov

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) October 4, 2026

San Diego opened the season with strong goaltending from Brossoit, effective transition plays and a third-period power play that helped put the game out of reach.

WE TAKE DOWN THE CUDA 5-1!#LetsGoGulls pic.twitter.com/8tEswa8QuB

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) October 4, 2026

Bill Burge

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.