San Jose Barracuda defenseman (#42) awaits the puck during the game against the San Diego Gulls at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday DEC 10, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Justin Bailey scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period as the San Diego Gulls defeated the San Jose Barracuda 3-1 on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost two games in a row as the closed out the homestand at 1-2. San Diego has twon two games in a row.

San Diego (9-6-6-0) drew first blood late in the first period with an even strength goal. A shot from Ryan Carpenter from close range was initially saved by ‘Cuda goalie Jakub Skarek. The rebound leaked out to the slot where Judd Caulfield beat Skarek with a wrist shot top-shelf for his eighth goal of the season at the 14:20 mark.

The Gulls doubled its lead 54 seconds to start to the second period. Sasha Pastujov slid a back door pass through the crease to Justin Bailey who buried the puck into an open net for his ninth goal of the season. Bailey played for the Barracuda back in the 2023-24 season.

San Jose (13-8-1-1) cut the deficit in half less than five minutes later. Jimmy Huntington fed the puck down low to Cam Lund behind the Gulls net. Lund made a quick move to beat Gulls goalie Calle Clang with a backhanded wraparound for his third goal at the 5:24 mark.

The blood started to boil late in the middle frame between the two divisional rivals when a clean hit by Anthony Vincent sparked a fight with Nathan Gaucherat the 13:05 mark. Then two minutes Braden Hache and Noah Warren who squared off with each other right after a faceoff at the 15:17 mark.

Caulfield scored his second goal of the contest, an empty netter, his ninth of the season with 28 seconds remaining to ice the game for San Diego.

Clang finished the game stopping 32 of the 33 pucks he faced to earn his second win of the season. Skarek made 32 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. San Diego went 0-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Game:

1. Bailey (1G,0A)

2. Lund (1G,0A)

3. Clang (32 saves)

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a five-game road trip with a weekend series versus the Texas Stars on Friday December 12th at 5:00pm at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.