By: Eric He

photo credit: San Jose Barracuda

The San Jose Barracuda were 20 minutes away from clinching a playoff spot, but they will have to wait another day after blowing a third period lead to the Stockton Heat in a 5-4 loss on Saturday night.

Up 4-3 in the third period, the Barracuda allowed two goals in 84 seconds. Kenny Agostino tied the game for the Heat, and then Hunter Shinkaruk converted on a wraparound moments later to give the Heat the lead.

The Barracuda had come back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 4-3 advantage with three goals in the second period. Nikolay Goldobin cut the lead to one less than two minutes into the second and Nikita Jevpalovs tied the game at 13:56. And less than a minute later, Trevor Parkes delivered a spectacular coast-to-coast goal to give San Jose the lead.

San Jose had fallen behind 3-1 after one period. The Heat converted on their first shot on goal and a late power play goal gave them a two-goal lead into first intermission.

The Barracuda need just one point to clinch a playoff spot, but just one game remains: another date against the Heat, this one at SAP Center on Sunday.