San Jose Barracuda’s Thomas Bordeleau (#17) celebrates with his teammates one of the five goals against the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena on Wednesday NOV 29, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda finally broke the desert curse.

The ‘Cuda scored three power play goals in route to a 5-3 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday evening at Acrisure Arena. It was the first win for the ‘Cuda against the Firebirds in their history as Coachella Valley won all 10 games last season against them in its inaugural season.

San Jose snapped a two-game losing streak. Coachella Valley has lost two of its past three games.

Coachella Valley (9-7-0-0) drew first blood at the halfway mark of the first period on the man advantage. Devin Shore roofed a wrist shot 22 seconds into the power play past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his second goal of the season at the 13:39 mark.

San Jose (5-8-4-0) even the game with its first power play goal at the midway point of the second period. Leon Gawanke found Danil Gushchin near the left faceoff circle and Gushchin deposited a wrist shot to the far side past Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger for his team leading sixth goal of the season at the 10:15 mark.

The Barracuda gained the lead with 40 seconds left in the middle frame with a 5-on-3 power play goal. Thomas Bordeleau’s shot from the point was redirected by Nathan Todd through the five-hole of Driedger for his second goal of the season.

San Jose cashed in the second penalty, that had 53 seconds left on it, to begin the third period for its third straight power play goal. Cole Cassels found Gawanke at the point and the German defenseman blasted a one-timer past Driedger for his third goal of the season.

Gawanke finished the game with a three-point night, his first in a ‘Cuda uniform.

Scott Sabourin scored the ‘Cuda’s fourth unanswered goal just over five minutes later. Jacob Peterson fed Sabourin, and his shot pinballed off a Firebirds defender past Driedger for his second goal of the season at the 5:59 mark.

Logan Morrison scored an even strength goal for Coachella Valley at the 13:32 mark. Morrison’s fifth goal of the season cut the lead to 4-2.

The Firebirds made it a one-goal game late in the game with a power play goal. Cameron Hughes scored his third goal of the season at the 17:31 mark.

Peterson squashed any comeback attempt by Coachella Valley with an empty net goal with 39 seconds, his fourth goal of the season, remaining to seal the deal for San Jose.

Makiniemi (1-2-0) finished the game stopping 31 of the 34 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season. Driedger (6-5-0) made 30 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort. It was Driedger’s first loss against San Jose.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for-5 on the power play. Coachella Valley went 2-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Todd 2) Gawanke 3) Peterson.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its three-game road trip with a two-game series with the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday 12/1 at 6:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.