The San Diego Gulls (15-15-2-2) return to the ice Jan. 17 back home against the first-place Tucson Roadrunners (26-8-1-0).

So far this season, the two rivals have met twice. The Gulls took the first matchup from San Diego Nov. 30 (6-2) and the Roadrunners managed the second-game win in Tucson Dec. 31 (7-4).

The Gulls won their third straight game with a 4-1 victory over the Stockton Heat on the road Jan. 15 after dropping the five previous games, including the loss in Tucson Dec. 31.

In his past nine games, right wing Daniel Sprong has recorded nine points, six of which for assists. Sprong currently leads the team in assists this season in 26 games.

Starting center and team captain Sam Carrick has been the team’s best player all season long, but since being reassigned to San Diego to begin the new year, the star player has been on another level. He held a six-game goal streak, which he recorded 10 points and three multi-point efforts until Wednesday night’s road match in Stockton when he lost his streak.

The Roadrunners began the season 23-5, but have lost four of their last seven games as their first-place lead has dropped to two points in the AHL Pacific Division.

Last time out center Andy Miele has a three-point performance in Colorado to lead the Roadrunners to a 4-2 road victory.

Tucson’s left wing Michael Bunting leads the Roadrunners with 31 assists and 36 points. He has recorded 15 points in the past 10 games, with just five goals on the season.

The game begins at 7 p.m. PT from Pechanga Arena with a live broadcast on AHL TV.