The San Jose Barracuda celebrate after Scott Reedy’s goal in the second period at Tech CU Arena on Sunday DEC 11, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda score two power play goal as they defeated the Bakersfield Condors 3-1 on Sunday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has won three of its last four games. Bakersfield has lost seven of its past eight games.

Bakersfield (9-15-0-1) drew first blood with an even strength goal late in the first period. Seth Griffith set up Darien Kielb in the left slot and Kielb beat ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell with a wrist shot top shelf into the far corner for his second goal of the season at 17:17 mark.

The Condors dominated the opening 20 minutes as the outshot Barracuda 16-5.

San Jose (13-10-0-1) scored the equalizer with an even strength goal early in the second period. Tristen Robins collected an errant pass by Bakersfield inside the ‘Cuda zone. He skated in on an odd man rush before beating Condor’s goalie Ryan Fanti with a low wrist shot to the short side for an unassisted goal, his eighth of the season, at the 5:41 mark.

The Barracuda gained its first lead on the power play less than two minutes later. Captain Andrew Agozzino set up Scott Reedy in between the faceoff circle and Reedy snapped home a low wrist shot to the short side past Fanti for his fifth goal of the season at the 7:31 mark.

Despite the shots being even at 12 a piece for both teams, San Jose had the ice tilted in its favor in the middle frame as Dell made key saves including a breakaway attempt by Justin Bailey seconds before Robins goal.

San Jose put the game away with its second power play goal of the game halfway through the third period. Thomas Bordeleau found William Eklund slapped home a one-timer pas the five-hole of Fanti for his eighth goal of the game right at the 10:00 mark.

Dell rebounded with a strong performance after getting shelled by the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Friday and was pulled after 20 minutes. He finished by stopping 39 of the 40 shot he faced to earn the win. Fanti made 26 saves on 29 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 with the man advantage. Bakersfield went 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dell 2) Reedy 3) Danil Gushchin.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda begin a five-game road trip on Wednesday 12/14 when they take on the Henderson Silver Knights at 7:00pm at Dollar Loan Center.