The San Diego Gulls begin a two-game series against the Rockford IceHogs tonight, February 21, 2026, at BMO Center (5 p.m. PST). The game can be viewed on AHLTV on FloHockey and heard on the Gulls Audio Network.
Gulls Face Central Division Opponent
This marks the first meeting between the San Diego Gulls and the Rockford IceHogs since the 2023-24 season. Rockford currently holds the sixth-place spot in the Central Division with a record of 18-27-2-2. They are coming off a loss to the Milwaukee Admirals, who are one place above them in the division standings.
Recent Performance
San Diego experienced a strong start to February, winning four consecutive games. However, the Gulls have recently faced setbacks, dropping their last two games by a single goal each. On Wednesday, they fell to the San Jose Barracuda 4-3 in a shootout.
Carpenter’s Late Goal
Despite the loss to San Jose, the Gulls demonstrated resilience, with Ryan Carpenter scoring the game-tying goal with only five seconds remaining in regulation. Head coach Matt McIlvane highlighted Carpenter’s leadership, stating, “He’s our leader…Gets the job done for us in a big moment.”
Key Players Contributing
Justin Bailey and Roland McKeown scored San Diego’s other two goals on Wednesday. McKeown currently leads all Gulls defensemen in points with 5-14=19, and has recorded 2-2=4 points in his last six games. Bailey has also been performing well, logging 3-2=5 points in his past six contests and leading all Gulls skaters with 17 goals.
With a record of 22-15-6-4 and 54 total points, the Gulls aim to secure all four possible points this weekend to improve their position in the Pacific Division rankings. Following the series against the IceHogs, San Diego will return home to face the Tucson Roadrunners on Wednesday, February 25, at Pechanga Arena San Diego (7 p.m. PST).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the game start tonight?
The game between the San Diego Gulls and the Rockford IceHogs starts at 5 p.m. PST tonight, February 21, 2026.
Where does Rockford stand in their division?
The Rockford IceHogs are currently in sixth place in the Central Division with a record of 18-27-2-2.
Who scored the goals for the Gulls in their last game?
Ryan Carpenter, Justin Bailey, and Roland McKeown scored the goals for the San Diego Gulls in their 4-3 shootout loss to the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday.
As the Gulls face the IceHogs, what factors do you believe will be most crucial to their success in this back-to-back series?
