Myšák's Two Goals Lift Gulls to 5-3 Win After Tucson Rally

Jan Myšák scored twice and the San Diego Gulls rallied to a 5-3 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners at Tucson Arena on Jan. 21, 2026. The win came after a tense middle period in which Tucson erupted for a three-goal comeback, including a shorthanded tally by Ben McCartney that knotted the score.

San Diego built an early lead on goals from Justin Bailey and Cal Burke before Myšák struck to put the Gulls ahead. Tucson answered with a surge that flipped the script, but Myšák’s second goal and an insurance marker from Nikita Nesterenko in the third secured the road triumph. The box score showed the Gulls finished with 39 shots on net, and Tucson’s goaltender faced all 39 attempts, a sign of sustained offensive pressure from San Diego.

The game unfolded as a study in momentum swings and situational hockey. Tucson’s three-goal rally demonstrated depth and tenacity, with McCartney’s shorthanded effort particularly significant because it came while the Roadrunners were a man down. That play underscored a brief special-teams lapse by San Diego, but the Gulls adjusted and regained control in the final frame. San Diego playmakers turned in multi-point efforts, feeding opportunities to chance creators and finishing chances when it mattered.

On the player-development front, Myšák’s two-goal night is more than a highlight; it reinforces his consistency as a finisher and a player who can change a game in the AHL environment. Bailey and Burke contributing middle-six scoring is valuable for depth scoring needs, and Nesterenko’s insurance goal provided the breathing room necessary to close out a hostile road contest. For Tucson, the willingness to rally from behind is encouraging, but the fact that their goalie absorbed 39 shots points to an uphill battle against sustained pressure.

From a business and fan-engagement perspective, games like this are vital. A late comeback bid by the home team keeps the crowd invested and strengthens local interest, while a resilient road win helps the Gulls maintain momentum on the schedule and gives San Diego promising headlines to promote to its fan base. The heavy shot totals and high-energy third period make this matchup a talking point for season-ticket holders and local media.

What comes next is pressure to sustain play that generated 39 shots and to tighten up in special teams situations. For readers tracking prospects and playoff positioning, Myšák’s performance and the Gulls’ ability to close in hostile territory will be the key takeaways as the AHL season unfolds.