San Jose Barracuda forwards Cole Cassles (#60) and Nathan Todd (#45) celebrate Cassels goal in the second period during the Barracuda’s 4-0 win at Tech CU Arena on Sunday MAR 24, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda scored three power play goals and goalie Eetu Makiniemi stopped all 27 shots he faced in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Tucson Roadrunners on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose split their weekend series with its second win in three games. Tucson fell back down to earth as they have lost two of their last three games. It was only the third time the Roadrunners have been shutout this season.

The Barracuda (20-30-9-2) drew first blood late in the first period with its first power play goal of the game. Kyle Rau threw the puck in front of the crease as the puck laid loose in front of a sea of traffic. Danil Gushchin dug out the puck and buried it into the back of the net for his 15th goal of the season at the 18:36 mark.

Tucson (36-21-3-2) only generated six shots in the opening frame that was dominated by San Jos who outshot them by eight with a 14-6 margin.

San Jose doubled its lead with its second power play goal late in the second period. Gushchin led a rush up the ice and sent a pass far side over to Cole Cassels along the right slot. Cassels wrist shot deflected off a Roadrunner defender through the five-hole of Roadrunners goalie of Dylan Wells for his ninth goal of the season at the 17:35 mark.

Oskar Lindblom scored the ‘Cuda’s third unanswered goal, an even strength one, just before the halfway mark of the third period. Shakir Mukhamadullin centered a pass through the crease as Lindblom’s first attempt was saved by Wells. The veteran forward cleaned up his own rebound for his eighth goal of the season at the 8:47 mark.

Tucson was never able to establish any offensive rhythm as they were busy going to the sinbin throughout the game as they took nine penalties, most of them undisciplined, that allowed San Jose to have a sustained forecheck.

Ethan Cardwell got back on the scoring sheet with San Jose’s third power play goal of the game just under three minutes later. Tristen Robbins sent a no look rink wide pass over to Cardwell who blasted a one-timer past Wells for his team-leading 19th goal of the season at the 11:37 mark. Cardwell has goals four of his past five games.

Things became chippy in the final two minutes of the game with two fights and a total of nine players between both teams given 10-minute misconducts with 1:53 remaining. There was a total of 148 combined penalty minutes between the two teams.

Makiniemi (8-8-0-3) had a relatively easy afternoon as he earned his third shutout of the season with his 27 saves. Wells (8-5-2-1) made 36 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for 9 on the power play. Tucson was 0-for-5.

San Jose is now 2-4 against Tucson in the season series.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Gushchin 2) Mukhamadullin 3) Makiniemi.

Who let the dogs out? The Barracuda had their annual Pucks and Paws Day as 3,982 showed up with their canine friends.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes their four-game homestand when they host the Ontario Reign on Wednesday 3/27 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.