The San Jose Barracuda Thomas Bordeleau (23) battles against the Bakersfield Condors at SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Apr 13, 2022 in a three goal loss (image from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Bakersfield Condors didn’t follow the script.

They scored three goals in the third period to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 6-3 on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

This was the last game the ‘Cuda played at the Shark Tank, a place they have called home since 2015. Their final home game is slated to be played at Solar4America Ice on Friday. They will open the ’22-’23 season at the brand-new Tech CU Arena.

San Jose extended their franchise worst losing streak to 11 games with four games remaining. Bakersfield has won three of its past four games.

The Barracuda (20-39-3-2) drew first blood exactly a minute into the game. Lane Pederson cleaned up the rebound off of a Thomas Bordeleau shot for his seventh goal of the season. The primary assist for Bordeleau was the first point since being signed to an amateur tryout agreement by the ‘Cuda on Monday.

Bordeleau, who was drafted by the San Jose Sharks as the 38th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, finished his season with the University of Michigan with an appearance in the Frozen Four in just his sophomore season.

Bakersfield (33-19-5-5) answered back with two goals of their own in the first period.

Graham McPhee redirected a shot from the point by Darien Kielb that hit off ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock and trickled behind him into the back of the net for McPhee’s fifth goal of the season at the 6:13 mark.

Tyler Benson set up Dino Kambeitz in front of the crease and the rookie forward beat Stalock with a point-blank shot for his seventh goal of the season at the 18:27 mark.

San Jose tied it up early in the second period with a power play goal. Artemi Kniazev’s shot from redirected off the crossbar by Jasper Weatherby, who was able to clean up his own rebound for his fifth goal of the season at the 3:10 mark.

Bakersfield regained the lead 47 seconds later. A turnover by Stalock led to Kielb blasting a slapshot from the left slot for his first goal in his debut with the Condors at the 3:57 mark. Kielb finished with three points (1G, 2A).

The Barracuda scored the equalizer late in the middle frame. Bordeleau picked up his second assist of the game when he sent a rink wide pass off the boards where Patrick Holway rifled home a slapshot past Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner for his fourth goal of the season.

Bordeleau finished with three assists in his professional debut.

Bakersfield scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the third period to take control of the game.

Veteran forward Adam Cracknell tipped home a shot from Seth Griffith for his 18th goal of the season at the 3:37 mark.

Then Cracknell returned the favor when he set up Griffith with a drop pass on an odd man rush. Griffith beat Stalock with a wrist shot on the right side of the crease for his 25th goal of the season.

Griffith sealed the deal with second goal of the game, an empty netter with 54 seconds left in the game to complete his four-point night (2G, 2A). Griffith with 72 points on the season has already set a Condors record for most points in a season.

Skinner (18-5-5) finished the game stopping 21 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the victory. Stalock (4-8-1) made 39 saves on 44 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Bakersfield was 0-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Bordeleau 2) Griffith 3) McPhee

UP NEXT: San Jose close out their home schedule on Friday 4/16 as they host the Abbotsford Canucks at 5:00pm at Solar4America Ice at San Jose.