Bakersfield Condors forward Raphael Lavoie (#50) makes a move away from San Jose Barracuda center Jacob Peterson at Mechanics Bank Arena on Friday DEC 29, 2023. (Bakersfield Condors)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda scored three goals in the third period to overcome a two-goal deficit and went on to defeat the Bakersfield Condors 5-4 in a shootout victory on Friday evening at the Mechanics Bank Arena.

San Jose has won two of its past three games in its first shootout of the season. Bakersfield had its two-game winning streak snapped but have points in its past five game (3-0-1-1).

Danil Gushchin and Tristen Robins scored in the shootout for the ‘Cuda and goalie Eetu Makiniemi stopped Mayev Petrov’s attempt to clinch the win as San Jose.

The ‘Cuda welcomed back Oscar Lindblom who hadn’t played in an AHL game since November 5th. due to an injury. Also, Jacob Peterson was back in the lineup after missing the past six games with an undisclosed injury.

Bakersfield (11-10-1-2) drew first blood early in the first period on the man advantage. A shot from the point by Alex Peters hit off the stick of Makiniemi then off the post before finding the back of the net for the second goal of the season at the 4:57 mark. Greg McKegg, who received the secondary assist on Peters’ goal, provided a screen on the play.

San Jose (10-13-4-0) even the scored less than two minutes later with an even strength goal. Shakir Mukhamadullin found Leon Gawanke at the left point. The rookie defenseman blasted a slapshot top self to the far corner past Condors’ goalie Olivier Rodrigue for his sixth goal of the season at the 6:50 mark. Cole Cassels received the secondary assist for his team leading 17th of the season.

Bakersfield regained the lead near the halfway mark off the second on a fluky goal. Xavier Bourgault sent from the left boards hit off the skate of Ty Tullio and the puck sneaked underneath the pads of Makiniemi for his third goal of the season at the 8:33 mark.

The Condors took advantage of a double-minor penalty by Gushchin for high sticking. Former Barracuda forward Lane Peterson cleaned up the rebound off a Raphael Lavoie by tucking the puck inside the left post for his sixth goal of the season for a power play goal at the 9:19 mark.

San Jose cut the deficit to a one goal game on a delayed goal early in the third period. Gushchin intercepted a pass off of Xavier Bernard at center ice. Gushchin skated into the Condors zone before ripping a wrist shot top shelf past Rodrigue. However, the officials waved it off initially as play went on for another minute and half. After review, Gushchin was awarded the goal, his co-leading ninth goal of the season officially at the 2:28 mark.

Scott Sabourin scored the equalizer just under three minutes later. Sabourin used his skate to pick the puck away from Pederson just in front of the crease. Sabourin made one move to the right before beating Rodrigue top shelf to the far side for his sixth goal of the season at the 5:03 mark.

As it did earlier in the game, Bakersfield took advantage of the ‘Cuda’s misconduct to regain the lead. Lavoie scored a 5-on-3 power play goal when he lasered in a wrist shot top shelf for the Condors third power play goal of the game at the 9:29 mark. Lavoie’s 10th goal of the season was also his team-leading fifth power play goal.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer with Makiniemi pulled for an extra attacker with 1:24 remaining in the period. Kyle Rau found Cassels with a rink wide pass along the right flank. Cassles buried a wrist shot past Rodrigue to the far side for his third goal of the season.

San Jose had a chance to end the game in overtime when they had a power play when Max Wanner went into the sin bin with 2:32 left in the extra session. However, the ‘Cuda didn’t register a shot on the power play as the game went to the shootout.

Makiniemi (4-3-0-1) stopped 33 of the 37 shots he faced and two of the three shots in the shootout to earn his fourth victory. Rodrigue (5-2-2-1) made 24 saves on 28 shots and was 1-2 in the shootout in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Bakersfield went 3-for-7.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Cassels 2) Gawanke 3) Peters.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Bakersfield conclude their home and home series on Saturday 12/30 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.