Stockton Heat left winger Alex Gallant (20) and San Jose Barracuda right winger Steenn Pasichnuk (80) go for the throw down at Stockton Arena in downtown Stockton on Fri Dec 31, 2021 (photo by the Stockton Heat)

by Marko Ukalovic

STOCKTON, Calif. — The San Jose Barracuda wiped the bad taste out of its mouth the last time they played in Stockton.

The ‘Cuda ended 2021 on a good note with a dominating 4-0 shutout victory over the Heat on Friday afternoon at Stockton Arena.

The last time San Jose played in Stockton back on December 7th, they suffered an embarrassing 10-1 loss to the Pacific Division leaders.

The Barracuda stole a page out of the Heat playbook by playing more physical, cashing in on counter attacks and getting outstanding goaltending.

San Jose have lost two games in a row after having their past two games postponed earlier this week due to Covid-19 protocols. Stockton had its four-game winning streak and seven game point streak snapped after having their two past games also postponed. It was their first home loss in regulation this season.

The first period was scoreless as both goalies, San Jose’s Sam Harvey and Stockton’s (and former ‘Cuda) Andrew Shortridge who both made their first starts of the season, made key saves to keep each team off the board.

Harvey stopped a Glen Gawdin breakaway 14 seconds into the game. Shortridge robbed an open net attempt by Nick Merkley with San Jose on a power play with 2:03 remaining in the opening period.

San Jose (11-13-1-0) drew first blood past the halfway point of the second period. Jayden Halbgewachs sent an outlet pass that sprung Merkley on a breakaway. Merkley lifted a backhander under the glove of Shortridge for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:27 mark.

Merkley’s goal was the first time San Jose have had a lead against Stockton this season.

The Barracuda doubled its lead after a taking advantage of a Heat turnover. Joachim Blichfeld intercepted Conner Mackey’s clearing attempt inside the Heat zone. Blichfeld skated in a snapped a wrist shot past Shortridge for his ninth goal of the season at the 15:20 mark.

Stockton (18-3-2-1) was left scratching their heads heading into the second intermission at they outshot San Jose 11-7 in the middle frame.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal on the penalty kill early in the third period. Seconds after killing the first penalty off of a five-on-three opportunity for Stockton, Merkley found Evan Weinger up the ice as he just left the penalty box. Weinger skated in on a breakaway and beat Shortridge with a wrist shot for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:36 mark.

It was the ‘Cuda’s sixth short-handed goal of the season.

Blichfeld scored its second goal of the game late in the period. Blichfeld gathered the puck in the neutral zone. As he skated into the Heat zone, he fired a shot from just inside the blueline that beat Shortridge top shelf to the short side for his 10th goal of the season at the 13:26 mark.

Harvey stopped all 30 shots he faced to earn his first career AHL shutout. Shortridge made 22 saves on 26 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. They are 0-for-9 against Stockton on the man advantage this season. Stockton was 0-for-4.

This was San Jose’s first shutout win since 1/8/20. They now have four shutout wins against Stockton. The ‘Cuda’s last shutout win against the Heat was on 1/14/17.

Mike Murphy, the Barracuda’s head equipment manager, was the backup goalie for San Jose as Alexei Melnichuk is still on the AHL Covid-19 protocol. Zachary Sawchenko is up with the Sharks as their netminder due to Adin Hill still on the NHL Covid-19 protocol.

Bilchfeld has 10 multi-goal games in his career.

Steenn Paschinuk was recalled by San Jose from Orlando. Paschinuk fought with Alex Gallant in the second period.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Harvey 2) Blichfeld 3) Merkley

UP NEX: San Jose play their first game of 2022 on Sunday 1/2 as they host the Stockton Heat at 1:00pm at SAP Center.