Scott Reedy gets into it with Ronald Knot on the ice at Tech CU Arena on Friday OCT 28, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–The Tucson Roadrunners scored three goals in the second period en route to a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has two in a row after starting out 4-0 to begin the season. Tucson has won three in a row and four of its first five games.

The Barracuda (4-2-0-0) drew first blood on the power play more than halfway through the first period. Ryan Merkley set up Tristian Robins who beat Roadrunners goalie Ivan Prosvetov for his third goal of the season at the 12:46 mark.

San Jose had the ice tilted in their favor in the opening 20 minutes as the outshot Tucson 12-7.

Tucson (4-1-0-0) began their comeback early in the second period. Micheal Carcone threw a shot on net that Cameron Crotty redirected past ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell for his first goal of the season at the 2:38 mark.

The Roadrunners gained the lead at the 12:06 mark with a power play tally. Cam Dineen found Carcone at the right faceoff circle and ripped a one-timer past Dell for his second goal of the season.

San Jose gift wrapped Tucson’s third unanswered goal late in the middle frame. Derrick Pouliot gave away the puck inside his own zone right to Milos Kelemen who skated in all alone and beat Dell with a wrist shot top shelf for his second goal of the season at the 18:26 mark.

Tucscon put the game away with two goals late in the third period. Former Bakersfield Condor Adam Cracknell scored his second goal of the season at the 14:06 mark. Bokondji Imama completed the scoring with an empty goal, his first of the season, at the 16:23 mark.

Prosvetov finished with 38 saves on 39 shots to earn the victory. Dell had 19 saves on 23 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Tucson was 1-for-2.

San Jose had its perfect penalty kill streak to start the season at end 25 with Carcone’s goal in the second period.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Carcone 2) Prosvetov 3) Robins

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-game series on Saturday 10/29 at 4:30pm at Tech CU Arena.