The San Diego Gulls came into Game 3 with a 2-0 lead and the added benefit of playing the next two games in front of their home crowd. But the Gulls would see themselves down early as Bakersfield’s Joe Gambardella took the cross-ice pass from Brad Malone and placed the puck into the back of the net at 5:28 into the first period. San Diego’s Adam Cracknell would tie the game almost ten minutes later, but Joe Gambardella would once again give the Condors the lead less than a minute later.

Bakersfield would add another goal just 1:04 into the second period as Ethan Bear would bury the long range one-timer past San Diego goalie Jeff Glass. At 5:23 Gulls Kalle Kossila scored a power play goal and just 11 seconds later Kiefer Sherwood would blast an unassisted goal to tie the game at 3 a piece. At 8:10 Andy Welinski would add another power play goal to give the Gulls a 4-3 lead. However, Joe Gambardella would secure the hat trick with his third goal of the game at 14:01.

The Gulls would start the third period with a flash as Corey Tropp would score just 34 seconds into the period. Sam Steel would add another goal at 7:11 to give the Gulls a two goal lead and it looked like they would cruise to a 3-0 series lead. But Brad Malone would score at 11:00 to cut the lead to one. It would remain a 6-5 Gulls lead until 10.5 seconds remaining when Tyler Benson would take a loose puck in front of the net and score to tie the game and leave the home crowd stunned.

Bakersfield would secure a trip back to home ice with a William Lagesson goal only 33 seconds into overtime. Jeff Glass, despite allowing seven goals, kept the game close with many outstanding saves throughout the night. The Gulls defense struggled clearing the puck which allowed the AHL scoring leader Bakersfield to score seven goals on the night.

Game 4 is Friday night at Pechanga Arena at 7 PM. The Gulls will look to take a commanding 3-1 lead prior to heading to Bakersfield on Saturday for Game 5.