Barracuda drops 6-5 thriller to Rampage

sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda hosted the San Antonio Rampage at SAP Center on Saturday afternoon in the first of two games over the weekend

by Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE–Joe Whitey scored two goals, Spencer Martin made 41 saves, and the San Antonio Rampage beat the San Jose Barracuda 6-5 at SAP Center on Saturday.

The club hosted “Pink in the Rink” presented by Kaiser Permamente. Barracuda players wore custom-made pink jerseys to benefit Cancer CAREpoint and to support breast cancer awareness and research. The pink jerseys were auctioned off throughout the game through an online auction with proceeds to benefit Cancer CAREpoint.

Barclay Goodrow put home the rebound of a Julius Bergman shot attempt, putting the Barracuda up 1-0 just 56 seconds into the first period.

The Rampage tied the game 1-1 at 7:01. Joe Whitney picked up a shot from Mike Sislo and unleashed a wrist shot that beat Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick.

Rocco Grimaldi took the puck from J.T. Compher and put it in the back of the net, putting the Rampage up 2-1 at 12:44.

The lead was short-lived, as Nikita Jevpalovs scored less than a minute later by carrying the puck up the ice and beating Rampage goalie Spencer Martin to tie the game 2-2.

Grosenick made a spectacular save to keep it a tie game. As the clock winded down, both teams were tied 2-2 after the first, but the shots (18-17) were in favor of the Rampage.

The Rampage took a 3-2 lead 1:02 into the second period after A.J. Greer scored his third goal of the season.

Nikolay Goldobin skated towards the blue paint and knocked in a loose puck that Rourke Chartier threw into the crease to tie the game 3-3 at 4:26.

Ryan Carpenter picked up a loose puck above the left circle and spun around before firing it top shelf, giving the Barracuda a 4-3 lead at 7:08.

J.T. Compher picked up a pass from Grimaldi and fred a wrist shot from the top of the right circle to beat Grosenick, tying the game 4-4 at 16:35.

Although the Barracuda outshot the Rampage, 36-24, the score was tied 4-4 after two periods.

Once again, the Barracuda suffered defensive breakdowns all over the ice, just like in their 4-3 shootout loss to the Bakersfield Condors last Saturday.

The Rampage scored two goals in a span of 22 seconds to take a 6-4 lead in the third period.
Whitney scored his second goal of the season to put San Antonio ahead 5-4 at 2:26. Troy Bourke hit a one-timer past Martin to score his first AHL goal and make it 6-4 at 2:48.

Timo Meier made a great pass to Daniel O’Regan, who shot the puck into the net for a power-play goal. The Barracuda pulled within one at 7:31.

The Barracuda had plenty of scoring opportunities, but were unable to cash in for additional goals. In addition, the San Jose offense was inconsistent.

The Rampage held on for a 6-5 win over the Barracuda.

Martin made 41 saves in a San Antonio victory. Grosenick made 26 saves in a losing effort for San Jose.

After the game, I asked Barracuda coach Roy Sommer if he had plans to shuffle the lineup prior to Sunday’s matinee.

“Yeah,” Sommer responded. “There will be a couple of guys coming in.”

The Barracuda and Rampage return to action tomorrow at 3:00 pm PST on AM 1220 KDOW.