Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

by Marko Ukalovic

Just a few weeks ago, the San Jose Barracuda looked like a lock to make the playoffs, but now are looking a bit shaky after The Tuscon Roadrunners received a late goal to defeat them 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Tuscon Convention Center Arena.

Micheal Chaput led a 2-on-1 rush and threaded a pass over to Micheal Bunting, who tipped a shot up and over Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (12-12-5) for his 17th goal of the season and the game-winning goal with only nine seconds left in the game to seal the Cuda’s fate.

With the victory, Tuscon closed the gap to within four points behind both San Jose and Colorado for the final two playoff spots in the Pacific Division.

There was no scoring in the first period as Tuscon (30-25-5-2) outshot San Jose 14-11 as each team exchanged scoring chances, but neither team was able to get the puck into the back of the net, despite two power plays for the Roadrunners and one for the Cuda.

Like the opening frame, the second period also remained scoreless. San Jose (32-20-3-4) was outshot 11-9 by Tuscon as the middle frame was played penalty-less.

In the third period, Tucson controlled the period, firing 21 shots on Bibeau. They finally drew blood when Nick Merkley found Chaput, who snapped a wrist shot off the cross-bar past Bibeau for his 14th goal of the season at the 6:44 mark.

The Cuda pulled Bibeau for an extra attacker and were rewarded for their action when after a mad scramble in front of the crease. Alex True found the puck and poked it home past Roadrunner goalie Adin Hill (13-12-3) for the equalizer and his team-leading 22nd goal of the season with 56 seconds left.

Hill finished the game, stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his 13th win of the season. Bibeau had an excellent game, making 44 saves on 46 shots in suffering the tough luck loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/1 on the power play. Tucson was 0/3.

The announced attendance was 3,519.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda continue their road trip in San Diego as they take on the Gulls on Wednesday at 7:00 pm at The Pechanga Arena.