The San Diego Gulls were unable to hold a three-goal second-period lead Monday evening, losing their preseason finale 4-3 to the Ontario Reign at Honda Center in Anaheim.
Ontario winger Kyle Bauman scored the winning goal with two minutes, 58 seconds to play off a pass from forward Philippe Maillet.
Gulls coach Dallas Eakins pulled goaltender Kevin Boyle with 2:15 left for an extra attacker, but the Gulls were unable to score the tying goal.
Bauman scored the tying goal off an assist by Maillet on Thursday in the Reign’s 4-3 shootout victory over the Gulls in the preseason opener for both teams in Ontario.
Giovanni Fiore opened the scoring with a power-play goal 5:58 into the first period. Chase De Leo put in rebounds for goals at 2:37 and 4:32 of the second period, increasing the Gulls’ lead to 3-0. De Leo’s second goal came on the power-play.
The Reign, the Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, began their comeback on Zack Mitchell’s power-play goal 6:58 into the second period.
Ontario (2-0-0-0) cut the lead to 3-2 on Sean Walker’s power-play goal with 90 seconds left in the second period. The Reign tied the score 2:48 into the third period on Austin Strand’s power-play goal.
Jared Coreau started in goal for the Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks’ AHL affiliate, stopping 11 of 12 shots in the opening 30:05. Coreau was replaced by Kevin Boyle, who stopped 18 of 21 shots.
Cal Petersen played the entire game in goal for Ontario, making 27 saves before a crowd announced at 9,324. Admission and parking were free.
The Gulls (0-1-0-1) scored on two of their six power-play opportunities and allowed goals on three of the Reign’s four power-play opportunities.
The Gulls will open the regular season Saturday at Tucson. Their home opener will be on Oct. 12 also against the Roadrunners, the Arizona Coyotes’ AHL affiliate.