Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat met again for Game 2 of the weekend series at the Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Barracuda were looking to split its series against the Heat. Meanwhile, the Heat hosted a special Law Enforcement Appreciation Night to honor the local law enforcement.

The Barracuda got a little too feisty early in the first period. As a result, they were handed a penalty for too many men on the ice and their penalty kill went into effect.

After the first San Jose power play of the night, Barracuda’s Brandon Mashinter dropped the gloves with Heat’s Tyler Wotherspoon. Consequently, both players sat in the sin bin with a four-minute double-minor.

Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau made 14 saves in the first period, but the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes of play.

The Heat broke open the scoreless deadlock when left wing Andrew Mangiapane finished a pass from newcomer Colin Smith for his 19th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead midway through the second period. After the game’s first goal, Stockton headed to the power play after San Jose’s Cavan Fitzgerald was called for hooking.

Heat rookie forward Spencer Foo tapped the power play goal in for his 13th of the season. The Heat took a 2-0 lead late in the second.

The Barracuda got to work after receiving a power play and then they were back on the penalty kill when Mike Brodzinski went to the box for slashing. Yet, the Heat carried a 2-0 lead to their locker room after 40 minutes of play.

The Barracuda finally got on the board as Rourke Chartier scored an unassisted goal–his second since coming back from injury–to cut the lead in half. Chartier has gotten three points in his last three games.

The Barracuda went on the power play at the 10-minute mark, but they were unable to capitalize with the man advantage.

The Barracuda lost to the Heat 2-1 in the Port City. Bibeau made 36 saves on 38 shots in a losing effort for San Jose.

Notes
Barracuda’s lineup and starters:

Up Next
The Barracuda return to action on Wednesday, February 21 at 7 pm PT in southern California against the Ontario Reign.