Guardians Finish the Job: Your 2026 McClurg Champions Cup Winners

Guardians Finish the Job: Gaslamp Sweeps Championship Series to Close the 2026 EDL Season

The Gaslamp Guardians are your 2026 San Diego Elite Draft League champions.

Gaslamp closed out the season on August 15 at Escondido Sports Center with two very different victories over the La Jolla Riptide: a dramatic 5–4 overtime comeback in the opener, followed by a commanding 10–1 win to complete the sweep of the best-of-three championship series.

The Riptide entered the postseason as the league’s top seed. But on championship night, the Guardians found the answers—first when their backs were against the wall, then with an offensive outburst that put the title beyond reach.

Game 1: Guardians Rally, Nolte Delivers in Overtime

Logan Wise gave Gaslamp the start it wanted, scoring twice in the opening period with Zac Miszkiewicz assisting on both goals. La Jolla answered with four consecutive goals, turning a 2–0 deficit into a 4–2 lead.

Reed Kinsey scored the Riptide’s first two goals before Lars Erickson put La Jolla ahead. Jake Betsch then extended the advantage with 10:23 remaining in the second period. Jimmy Becker contributed assists on both the Erickson and Betsch goals, and the Riptide were in position to take control of the series.

Gaslamp responded in just 18 seconds.

Wise completed his hat trick with 8:38 remaining, and Zack Nolte tied the game at 8:20. Neither team broke through again in regulation, sending the championship opener into sudden-death overtime.

There, Nolte delivered once more. His second goal of the game completed the comeback and gave the Guardians a 1–0 series lead. Gaslamp finished with a 25–16 advantage in shots, while Mike Erving recorded 12 saves in the win. Game 1 box score

Game 2: Dance Scores Four as Gaslamp Clinches

With the championship within reach, the Guardians wasted little time establishing another lead.

Bailey Ridout opened the scoring, Anthony Mata followed just 21 seconds later, and Caden Dance made it 3–0. Nik Olsson answered for La Jolla off a Jimmy Becker assist, keeping the Riptide within two at the break.

The second period belonged to Gaslamp.

Wise scored to extend the lead to 4–1, and the Guardians added six more unanswered goals to finish the series. Dance led the way with four goals in the clincher, including three in the second period. Oren Berengolts scored twice, while Eli Hoffmann contributed a goal and two assists. Mata and Wise each finished with a goal and an assist.

At the other end, Erving stopped 16 of 17 shots as Gaslamp outshot La Jolla 30–17. The Guardians’ seven-goal second period sealed a 10–1 victory and the 2026 championship. Game 2 box score

A Season Built by the Entire EDL Community

Gaslamp earned the final celebration, but all four teams helped write the story of the 2026 season.

The La Jolla Riptide earned the top seed and a place in the championship series. The Guardians turned their postseason opportunity into a title. The Old Town Outlaws and Torrey Pines Talons brought their own talent, personalities and competitive energy to the league, setting up a postseason in which every team had a path to the championship.

From draft night through the final buzzer, the season gave players a chance to compete alongside new teammates, renew rivalries and strengthen the connections that make San Diego roller hockey special.

To every player and captain: thank you for committing your time, representing your teams and bringing your competitive spirit to the rink. Your participation is the foundation of the EDL.

Thank you to the referees, scorekeepers, rink staff, volunteers and everyone working behind the scenes to make game nights happen. A special thank-you to championship officials Scott Silvas and Lane McCorquodale, and to the Escondido Sports Center for hosting the action.

To our partners, families, friends and fans—whether you supported us at the rink, watched from home or helped share the league with others—thank you for being part of the season. Every contribution helps give these games an audience and this league a community.

Congratulations to the Gaslamp Guardians, and thank you to everyone who made the 2026 San Diego Elite Draft League season possible.

We’ll see you at the rink in 2027!