When the American Hockey League first moved west in 2015, there was uncertainty how it would all play out. Several of the cities were converting from being ECHL teams (i.e. Ontario, Bakersfield, Stockton, etc.), so the transition was rather smooth. Fast forwarding to 2023, by all accounts, the AHL’s Pacific Division has been a smashing success, now with new buildings in Coachella Valley, Henderson, and San Jose.
Then there’s San Diego, where the Gulls just quietly keep plugging along with huge attendance numbers each year and one of the oldest arenas in the country.
Much like the NFL’s Chargers and MLB’s Padres before them, there has been endless talk about a new building for years – like, years – while the cities beloved team plods along, playing in some rather dilapidated digs. And the saddest part of the tale is the fact San Diego has a rich hockey history dating back to the 1960’s, where fans have shown up in droves for different iterations of the Gulls, including in the IHL and WHL.
Looking ahead to tonight’s game, here are a few pregame notes:
— Unfortunately, Cam Talbot won’t be traveling down with his new Ron Burgundy themed mask.
— Like last game in Vegas, coach Todd McLellan will not be behind the bench just yet. Marco Sturm and his staff will handle the duties.
— The Kings players who went to Australia will slowly begin returning to game action, with the bigger names not back in the lineup until next Tuesday’s game in LA.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Ducks:
Fagemo – Turcotte – Laferriere
Pinelli – Thomas – Hodgson
Maltsev – Tynan – Chromiak
Madden – Helenius – Ziemmer
Björnfot – Clarke
Booth – Spence
Krygier – Santini
Portillo
Ingham
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm PT and will be available via a free stream at AnaheimDucks.com and on the Kings iheart radio channel.
Across the Ice
Ducks’ morning skate lines:
Jones-Agozzino-Leason
Regenda-Groulx-Perreault
Pastujov-Gawdin-Caulfield
McLaughlin-Gaucher-KingLaCombe-White
Hinds-Luneau
Vaakanainen-Helleson
Wolff-ProfacaGibson
Clang
Alexander#FlyTogether— Derek Lee (@Derek_Lee27) September 29, 2023
On This Day in Kings History
On September 29, 2007, the @LAKings defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 4-1, in the first NHL regular season game played in London, England. Mike Cammalleri scored two goals, and Jonathan Bernier made 26 saves to record his first career win in his NHL debut.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/1EBhjw0jus
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) September 29, 2023
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I can’t believe there is no TV coverage for this game in SoCal. It’s only both of our teams and the Angels are finished in their division
Thanks for the recognition of San Diego’s hockey history. As native and a huge hockey/Kings fan there are many like me in San Diego. Mayor thanks for taking a few minutes to chat with me at the game last night.