The San Jose Barracuda got some relief picking up their first win of the 2021 AHL season with a win over the Texas Stars at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Fri Feb 12, 2021 (sjbarracuda.com photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

CEDAR PARK, Texas—The San Jose Barracuda jumped out to a 2-0 lead and then put the game way with two goals in the third period to beat the Texas Stars 5-2 on Friday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose picked up its first win of the season with five different goal scorers in a balanced offensive attack. Texas

Jake McGrew centered a pass from behind the net to a crashing Kyle Topping who quickly snapped a wrist shot top-shelf into the left corner of the net beating Stars goalie Colton Point for his first goal of the season at the 12:48 mark. Nick DeSimone received the secondary assist.

San Jose (1-1-1) doubled its lead at the 13:30 mark when Joel Kellman’s shot was blocked out in front of the crease. Jeffery Viel, who was camped out in front, found the loose puck and beat Point with a wrist shot falling down for his first goal of the season. Joachim Blichfeld received the secondary assist.

Texas (2-2-0) cut the lead in half with just five seconds left in the first period. Adam Mascherin scored his first goal of the season as he beat ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey with a wrist shot. Riley Damiani and Cole Schneider were credited with assists.

The Stars scored the equalizer on the power play early in the second period. Schneider scored his first goal of the season at the 2:01 mark. Nikita Scherbak and Thomas Harley assisted on the goal.

San Jose regained the lead with a power play goal of their own at the 12:31 mark of the middle frame. Jayden Halbgewachs scored his first goal of the season. Antti Suomela and Alex True were credited with assists.

The Barracuda received an insurance goal in the third period when Robbie Russo fired a slap shot from the right point past Point for his first goal of the season at the 8:16 mark. Kellman and Blichfeld recorded assists on the fifth year pro’s goal.

Ozzie Wiseblatt, the 31st pick in last year’s NHL draft by the Sharks, put the icing on the cake for the ‘Cuda late in the final frame. True sent a cross ice pass over Wiseblatt, who was setup all alone on the left side of the net, and buried a one-timer past Point for his first professional goal at the 15:21 mark.

Harvey, in his AHL debut, made 29 saves on 31 shots to earn his first win of his AHL career. Point stopped 27 of the 32 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1-for-3 on the power play. Texas was 1-for-4.

Chaz Reddekopp, who made his AHL debut, delivered a huge hit on Mascherin in the third period that resulted in a charging penalty.

The Three Stars of the night were: 1) Harvey 2) Kellman 3) Schneider

UP NEXT: San Jose and Texas battle it again on Saturday 2/13 at 5:00pm at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park