San Jose Barracuda defenseman Valtteri Pulli (#77) reacts to the puck being cleared out of his zone while San Diego Gulls forward Ben King (#14) looks on during the Barracuda’s 6-4 win at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday MAR 20, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda scored two goals in the third period to break a 4-4 tie en route to a 6-4 victory over the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday morning at Tech CU Arena.

Both teams played in front of a packed house, 3,983, as it was the annual ‘Cuda Kids Classroom Day at the arena where students from all over the area attended the game.

San Jose snapped its three-game losing streak. San Diego is 2-3 in their last five games as both teams anchor the Pacific Division.

San Diego (22-27-8-0) drew first blood with an even strength goal past the halfway mark of the first period. Nick Wolff sent in a long pass into the Barracuda zone. Brayden Tracey centered a backhand pass from behind the net out to Josh Lapina who beat ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his 12th goal of the season at the 12:29 mark.

San Jose (19-29-9-2) answered back late in the opening frame with two goals in 39 second span. First Valtteri Pulli sent the puck back up to the point to Nikolai Knyzhov who blasted a slapshot past Gulls goalie Calle Clang for his third goal of the season at the 18:07 mark. Nathan Todd provided a good screen on Clang who never saw the shot.

Then the line of Danil Gushchin, Brandon Coe and Tristen Robins connected for a tic-tac-toe goal at the 18:46 mark. Gushchin led the rush up into the Gulls zone while dropping off the puck over to Robins along the left wing who then set up Coe who beat Clang with a wrist shot to the short side for his ninth goal of the season.

The Gulls responded back with the two goals early in the second period in less than a 90 second span. Trevor Carrick scored his seventh goal of the season on the power play at the 6:34 mark. Glenn Gawdin and Ben King recorded assists on the play.

Then at the 7:53 mark, former ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino set up Nikita Nesterenko for the rookie forward’s 15th goal of the season with an even strength goal.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer at the 9:15 mark when Robins scored his fourth goal of the season. Both Knyzhov and Pulli recorded assists on Robin’s goal for their second points of the game.

It only took the Gulls 19 second to respond for its second lead of the game. Nathan Gaucher scored his seventh goal of the season on the very next shift. Tracey had his second assist of the game.

That ended the morning for Romanov as he was replaced by Eetu Makiniemi by ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy. Romanov gave up four goals on 11 shots.

Just like the in the first period, the ‘Cuda regained the lead late in the second period with an even strength goal. Rookie left winger Joe Carroll scored his 12th goal of the season at the 18:54 mark.

San Jose regained the lead early in the third period with an even strength goal. Shahir Mukhamadullin set up Ethan Cardwell with a centering pass and Cardwell tapped the puck home into an empty net for his team-leading 18th goal of the season at the 3:35 mark.

The ‘Cuda scored an insurance goal late in the final frame. Newly acquired defenseman Jack Thompson’s shot from the point was redirected by Mukhamadullin top shelf past Clang for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:19 mark.

Makiniemi (7-8-0-2) stepped up his game as he finished the afternoon stopping all 30 shots he faced to earn his seventh win of the season. Clang (9-12-4-0) gave up all six goals on 41 shots in the losing effort.

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

San Jose is 3-0 against San Diego in the season series.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Mukhamadullin 2) Coe 3) Knyzhov.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its four-game homestand on Saturday 3/23 as they host the Tucson Roadrunners at 2:00pm at Tech CU Arena.