San Jose Barracuda — San Diego Gulls: 5:4, AHL

Gulls complete sweep with late winner in San Jose

San Diego Gulls took the series 2-0 with a 4-3 victory over San Jose Barracuda on Sunday night. The result followed yesterday's 5-1 win at the same rink, and the visitors did not travel to make up the numbers. Both clubs sit at the bottom of the table with zero points after one game each, so nothing shifts yet.

By then the pattern was clear enough. San Diego had the edge in both meetings, and this time they closed the game out when it mattered. The Barracuda drew level at 3-3 before the visitors found a way back into it in the final minutes. The crowd roared them on, but the momentum had already turned.

And here's the thing — we had backed the home side yesterday. The confidence sat at 51 per cent, but the match went the other way. San Diego's second win in two days, both at San Jose, suggests they are playing a different level of hockey right now. The line has barely moved in the standings, but the eye test says otherwise.

What stands out is not the points on offer but the way the visitors controlled the rhythm. Two games, two wins, and the Barracuda never quite found their footing. To be fair, the hosts had chances, but they could not convert when the game was tight. San Diego kept their composure and took the series.