Gaucher's Late Goal Lifts Gulls Over Reign

San Diego defeats division-leading Ontario in front of sold-out crowd

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:55pm

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The San Diego Gulls defeated their division-leading rival Ontario Reign 4-3 in front of a sold-out crowd at Pechanga Arena San Diego. Nathan Gaucher scored the game-winning goal with just 17.2 seconds left in the third period to lift the Gulls to victory.

Why it matters

This win gives the Gulls momentum as they continue to battle for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The Gulls have now won two straight games, tying them for fifth place in the division. The rivalry between the Gulls and Reign is intense, making this a significant victory for San Diego.

The details

Judd Caulfield opened the scoring for the Gulls in the second period. Tyson Hinds and Ryan Carpenter also scored for San Diego to help erase Ontario's lead. Goaltender Calle Clang made 16 saves to earn the win. The game featured several physical moments, including a fight between Travis Howe and Jacob Doty early on.

  • The game was played on January 31, 2026.
  • Gaucher scored the game-winning goal with just 17.2 seconds left in the third period.

The players

Nathan Gaucher

Scored the game-winning goal for the Gulls with 17.2 seconds left in the third period.

Judd Caulfield

Opened the scoring for the Gulls in the second period and recorded two assists.

Tyson Hinds

Defenseman who scored a goal and added an assist for the Gulls.

Ryan Carpenter

Scored the game-tying goal for the Gulls in the third period.

Calle Clang

Gulls goaltender who made 16 saves to earn the win.

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What they’re saying

“I think one of the big things is the fans today were unbelievable. Getting a crowd like this is so fun and just gets the guys ready to go, ready to battle. We wanted to win this game really bad and between the second and the third, it was just the belief, and we knew we had more to give. So that's what we did.”

— Nathan Gaucher (sandiegogulls.com)

“We have so much character in our locker room, and we've seen so many different times this year where we've been down and come back and sealed the deal or forced overtime. We just knew that we were going to find a way today and I give the guys so much credit for gutting this one out.”

— Matt McIlvane, Head Coach (sandiegogulls.com)

What’s next

The Gulls will take on the Henderson Silver Knights on Wednesday, February 4th before the All-Star break.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over the division-leading Reign showcases the Gulls' resilience and determination to compete for a playoff spot. The team's ability to rally late and secure the win in front of a sold-out home crowd demonstrates their strong team chemistry and character.