By: Eric He

sjbarracuda.com photo: Members of the San Jose Barracuda sit waiting for the start of Saturday night’s game against the Reign in Ontario

Last month, Mantas Armalis made his first career AHL start with the Barracuda against the Ontario Reign on the road and struggled, earning less-than-favorable reviews from his coach, Roy Sommer.

Perhaps the feedback will be a little more positive this time around. Armalis made 22 saves in Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Reign at Citizens’ Bank Arena a night after notching another win in a 31-save performance.

Armalis’ back-to-back wins is his first such streak of the season. The Barracuda, meanwhile, rode a pair of two-goal performances from Adam Helewka and Tim Heed to victory.

San Jose scored twice in the second period to take a 3-1 lead. With the score even 1-1, Helewka converted on the power play. Midway through the period, Danny O’Regan extended the advantage, cleaning up a rebound in front.

Heed notched his second goal to give San Jose a 4-1 lead in the third, tipping a shot from O’Regan into the net. After a quick response by Ontario, Helewka recorded his second score of the game, converting a 2-on-1 scoring chance off a pass from Rourke Chartier.

The teams each scored a goal in the first period. Sam Herr scored for the Reign early in the game, but Heed answered with a booming shot from the point on the power play.

San Jose finished 2-of-4 on the man advantage and also outshot Ontario 28-24.

The Barracuda now have a week off before playing two games on the road against the San Antonio Rampage on Dec. 3 and 4.