Gulls Power Play Struggles as Hamblin Breaks Scoring Drought

The San Diego Gulls possess a solid roster that could perform at a higher level if not for a persistent weakness on the power play. The team holds a 5-for-35 record with the man advantage, a statistic that places them 24th among the 32 teams in the American Hockey League. This inefficiency remains the primary obstacle to their potential, even as other units show promise.

Last weekend, the Gulls secured a 4-1 victory over San Jose at Pechanga Arena. James Hamblin, a 27-year-old forward from Edmonton, scored two goals in that game. His performance broke a scoring drought that had frustrated the veteran player, who is in his sixth professional season.

The path to the win involved specific tactical adjustments. The team focused on crisp puck movement and driving bodies to the net to create scoring opportunities. During the San Jose game, forward Anton Wahlberg made a hard drive that pulled defenders in, creating space for Hamblin. The Gulls managed to convert that power play goal, a rare occurrence given their recent history.

Hamblin, who has 204 career professional goals across the WHL, AHL, and NHL, credited the team’s patience. He noted that the group avoided forcing shots. The 27-year-old has previously scored twice in two NHL call-ups with the Edmonton Oilers and is currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks' top minor-league affiliate. He pointed to the sky after his first NHL goal in 2023, honoring his mother who passed away in 2017.

Goaltending also played a key role in the win. Laurent Brossoit made 28 saves on 29 shots against San Jose. Assistant coach Kelly Buchberger identified the team's physical response and hard checking along the blue line as the foundation for the offensive success. He described the goaltending as great and noted that Hamblin’s hard work was finally rewarded by the goals.

The Gulls, who are 4-4-1-0, will face the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Pechanga Arena. Henderson currently holds a 5-3-0-0 record. The Gulls aim to replicate the energy and physicality displayed against San Jose to improve their standing.

In separate basketball news, the San Diego Clippers of the G League opened training camp this week in Oceanside. The team prepares for its season opener on November 6 against the Valley Suns at Frontwave Arena. Former San Diego State player Nathan Mensah joined the camp after playing for the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs organizations. Mensah was part of the Aztecs' 2023 Final Four team and last played for Buyukcekmece in the Turkish league.