Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda (32-26-4-4) continued their late season magic in another must win game with a 2-1 victory over the the Bakersfield Condors (30-26-9-1) on Wednesday evening at Rabobank Arena. Combined with the San Diego Gulls 4-0 loss to the Tuscon Roadrunners, the Cuda’s fourth consecutive victory kept their faint playoff hopes alive for another day.

In order for San Jose to make the playoffs, they need to win out their final two games AND San Diego to lose out their final two remaining games as the Texas Stars have already clinched a playoff berth.

There was no scoring or penalties in the first period. Both goaltenders kept the game scoreless, thanks to a big save by each netminder. Cuda goalie Antonie Bibeau (22-14-4) made a point blank save on Joe Gambardella midway through the first period. Condors goalie Laurent Brossoit (14-10-4) made a fantastic stop on a Rourke Chartier shot headed toward the back of the net and then seconds later on a Rudolfs Balcers rebound attempt with under three minutes left in the opening frame. San Jose outshot Bakersfield 12-11.

Chartier had a chance to give the Cuda an early lead three minutes into the second period when he skated in on a breakaway. However, his shot missed to the right of the goal.

San Jose would cash in on a 5-on-3 power play opportunity. Chartier sent over a pass to Balcers, who fired home a shot past Brossoit for his team-leading 23rd goal (and eighth power play goal) on the season at the 13:36 mark of the second period.  His 23rd goal had tied the Cuda rookie goal record set last year by Danny O’Reagan. Tim Heed received the secondary assist.

The Cuda dominated the second period as they out shot the Condors 16-3 and controlled play throughout period, thanks to three power play opportunities.

Chartier, who was snake-bitten earlier in the game, gave the Cuda an insurance goal when he buried a one-timer underneath the pad of Brossoit after a set-up pass by Ivan Chekhovich at the 10:59 mark of the third period. In just four games with the Cuda, Chekhovich already has seven points (2G, 5A). Chartier’s seventh goal makes it two goals in the past three games after going the previous 10 without a goal. Nick DeSimone received the secondary assist.

Tyler Vesel would get the Condors on the board late in the third period. Cooper Marody led a 2-on-1 odd man rush and sent a pass over to Vesel, who fired a shot past the left pad of Bibeau for his second goal of the season at the 16:43 mark. It was Vesel’s fourth point in just his ninth game with Bakersfield. Marody’s assist was his first professional point of his career.

Bibeau made 22 saves on 23 shots he faced to earn the victory. He is now 4-3 against Bakersfield this season.

Brossoit made 32 saves on 34 shots in the defeat. He is now 2-3 against San Jose this season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 1/4 on the power play. It was the 9th straight game they have scored a power play goal. Bakersfield was 0/2.

Balcers is currently on a four-game goal streak. Cuda killer Josh Currie was kept off the score sheet. He has seven goals and five assists in eight games against the Cuda this season, including two hat tricks.

Jacob Middleton was injured with a lower body injury under two minutes in the first period. He returned back to action in the second period.

This was the first regulation win at Rabobank Arena for San Jose this season.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda return home for the season home finale and Fan Appreciate Night against the Bakersfield Condors in the back end of the home and series tomorrow 4/12 at the SAP Center.