San Diego, CA - The Rockford IceHogs fell short on Saturday night inside Pechanga Arena to the San Diego Gulls 6-4.

The Gulls struck just three minutes into the game with a shorthanded breakaway goal from Nikita Nesterenko. Rockford responded moments later when Dominic Toninato deflected in Taige Harding's shot in the slot to knot the game 1-1.

San Diego connected on two straight power play goals in the span of 1:31. Gulls' captain Ryan Carpenter deflected in two point shots and was credited with both tallies.

The Hogs cut the deficit to 3-2 at 14:59 of the 1st period. Joey Anderson sent a long stretch pass ahead for Brett Seney to sprint in on a breakaway and beat Calle Clang.

Early in the 2nd, the Hogs pulled even again. Rem Pitlick tapped in a Toninato pass off the far post for his 16th of the season.

With time ticking down in the middle period, the Gulls struck for their third power play goal this time courtesy of defenseman Stian Solberg.

Anderson brought Rockford back to 5-4 with a seeing-eye wrist shot from the near dot with 15 minutes to go in regulation. The Hogs pushed down the stretch, but it was an empty-net goal from Nikolas Brouillard to lock up the 6-4 Gulls win.

Up next, the IceHogs conclude their road trip on Wednesday, March 11 against the Admirals. The puck drops in Milwaukee at 7:00 p.m.