By: Eric He

photo credit: San Jose Barracuda

The San Jose Barracuda fell to the Bakersfield Condors 4-2 on Friday night on the road, with all four Bakersfield goals coming on special teams.

The Condors converted on two power plays in addition to scoring a shorthanded goal and an empty-netter to put away the victory. With six games remaining, the Barracuda fall out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West behind the Checkers.

San Jose trailed 1-0 after the first period as Bakersfield converted less than two minutes into the game with a shorthanded marker, as Rob Klinkhammer scored on an odd-man rush. The Condors in rapid succession in the second period, finding the back of the net twice in a 38-second span on consecutive power play goals as the Barracuda were shorthanded 5-on-3.

Down 3-0, the Barracuda got one back late in the second period Ryan Carpenter scored from the left circle to put San Jose on the board. They clawed within a goal with less than five minutes to play in the second period on a power play goal by Jeremy Morin, but an empty-netter from the Condors ended the Barracuda’s hope at a comeback.

As their fight for a playoff spot ramps up, the Barracuda head to San Diego to face the Gulls on Saturday.