Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda weren’t able to sustain a two-goal lead and then ended up falling in the shootout in a 3-2 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday evening at Van Andel Arena.

San Jose (24-8-2-4) jumped out to the early the start they wanted when Alex True, who is having a career year, scored his 12th goal of the season when he beat Griffins goalie Harri Sateri (15-7-2) at the 7:49 mark of the first period. Anti Suomela and Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau received assists.

The Cuda doubled their right before the end of the period on the power play when Rourke Chartier got back on the score sheet with his fourth goal of he season at the 19:36 mark. True and Jayden Halbgewachs tallied assists.

Grand Rapids (25-14-3-4) got itself right back into the game just over a minute into the second period. Flilp Zadina received a pass from Chris Terry and buried the puck past Bibeau (9-5-5) for his 11th goal of the season at the 1:18 mark.

The Griffins tied it up late in the middle frame when Colin Campbell sent over a pass to Carter Camper who was able to beat Bibeau for his 11th goal of the season at the 18:57 mark.

Neither team could muster a game-winning goal in the third period. Despite having an early power play opportunity and outshooting San Jose 15-8, Grand Rapids would be stoned by Bibeau.

In the shootout, Matt Puempel scored the only goal for the game-winner as San Jose went 0/3 in their attempts.

Sateri stopped 24 of the 26 shots he faced to earn his 15th victory of the season. Bibeau made 30 saves on 32 shots in suffering the tough luck defeat.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1/6 on the power play. Grand Rapids was 0/5.

The announced attendance was 10,834.

UP NEXT: San Jose ends their three game road trip up in Stockton to take on the Heat on Friday, February 1 at 7:00 pm at Stockton Arena.