Gulls Rely on Hamblin's Goals to Fix Struggling Power Play
San Diego's 4-1 win over San Jose showcased a key offensive spark ahead of Saturday's matchup with Henderson.
By Jason Kovalenko ·
James Hamblin scored two goals to lead the San Diego Gulls to a 4-1 victory over San Jose last weekend. The win serves as a timely boost for the team as they prepare for Saturday's home game against the Henderson Silver Knights.
The Gulls hold a 4-4-1-0 record while Henderson sits at 5-3-0-0. The puck drops at 6 p.m. Saturday at Pechanga Arena. Hamblin has recorded three goals and two assists in his sixth professional season. He enters the game with a strong start that has rekindled his momentum.
Hamblin, a 27-year-old forward from Edmonton, played a key role in the win. He credited his performance to playing with the right mindset. He said he wanted to play the right way and have fun so that good things would happen. He noted that the goals provided a release of emotion after a period where the puck was not going in.
The forward has scored two goals in two NHL call-ups with the Edmonton Oilers. He is currently playing for the Gulls, which serve as the top minor-league affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. Hamblin has 204 professional goals across the WHL, AHL, and NHL. He previously pointed to the sky after scoring his first NHL goal in 2023 to honor his mother, who died of cancer in 2017.
The Gulls face a challenge on the power play, where they are 5 for 35 and ranked 24th in the 32-team AHL. Against San Jose, they found success through crisp puck movement and driving bodies to the net. Anton Wahlberg assisted on Hamblin's goal by making a hard drive that pulled defenders in before finding his teammate. Hamblin described the team's approach as patient and unforced.
Goalie Laurent Brossoit contributed with 28 saves on 29 shots. Assistant coach Kelly Buchberger said the team set the pace in the first couple of shifts and did not let off. Buchberger noted that Hamblin's hard work and two goals lifted the team significantly. The Gulls will aim to replicate the physicality and checking they displayed against San Jose.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Clippers opened training camp in Oceanside this week. They face the Valley Suns in their season opener on Nov. 6 at Frontwave Arena. Former San Diego State player Nathan Mensah is in camp. Mensah played in the 2023 Final Four and previously spent time with the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, and the Turkish league team Buyukcekmece.
