San Jose Barracuda players Kyle Rau (#91), Nathan Todd (#45) and Jack Thompson (#26) celebrate Filip Bystedt’s (#21) third period goal against the Texas Stars at Tech CU Arena on Friday APR 12, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Georgi Romanov is making a strong case to be one of the San Jose Sharks top goalie prospects.

The San Jose Barracuda netminder stopped 38 of the 39 shots he faced en route to a 3-1 victory over the Texas Stars on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has won the first two games of their final homestand of the season. Texas has lost three out of its last four games as its headed to the postseason as they clinched a playoff berth in the Cental Division.

Romanov (9-9-8-0) recorded his ninth victory of the season as he was stellar between the pipes for San Jose that help shutdown one of the top prolific offenses in the AHL.

“I thought he (Romanov) had a really good night for us,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy regarding his goalie’s performance tonight. “He (Romanov) thrives kinda in tight play (with) lateral movement. It’s good to see him get the result.”

San Jose (23-33-9-4) drew first blood moments after a killing a penalty. A fanned slapshot attempt by Derrick Pouliot squirted out to the red line. Lucas Vanroboys was at the right place at the right time as he picked up the puck right as he exited the penalty box. Vanroboys skated in and beat Stars goalie Matthew Murray with a wrist shot top shelf to the short side for his first AHL career goal at the 6:01 mark.

“Every time you’re in the (penalty) box, you kind of get it in your head maybe that if all things line up, you can get a good scoring chance out of it. (I) just executed (the play),” Vanroboys said.

The Barracuda doubled its lead on the next shift as they needed just 11 seconds after Vanroboys goal to go up 2-0. A backhanded clearing attempt by Murray from behind his own net was intercepted by Danil Gushchin and the rookie forward threaded a wrist shot into the upper corner of the net far side before Murray could recover in time for his 19th goal of the season. It was the quickest two goals scored in franchise history.

Vanroboys scored his first professional goal in just his third AHL game after playing this past season at the University of Massachusetts where he registered three goals and eight overall points in 29 games for the Minutemen.

“It’s a great experience obviously. When you play college (hockey), you want to move on and play professionally after. It’s a little bit different structure of a day. You gotta be a little more flexible with your schedule and more accountable,” said Vanroboys talking about the difference between playing collegiately and professionally in the AHL.

Texas (32-31-4-2) had two power play opportunities but were shut down by ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov who made 15 saves in the opening frame.

“I thought (our) first period we came out and played the game we wanted to. In the second period, we get off script, we get off (of our) plan. Took a couple of penalties, were back on our heels. I like the way we responded in the third (period),” McCarthy said.

Once again, the Stars put 15 shots on net in the second period, but like the first period, they were stonewalled by Romanov who didn’t give up many rebounds and was aggressive challenging shots in front of the crease in the middle frame.

San Jose put the game away late in the third period with a power play goal. Jack Thompson centered a pass from the left wing over to Filip Bystedt who blasted a one-timer past Murray for his third goal in a ‘Cuda uniform at the 13:59 mark.

Justin Hryckowian spoiled Romanov’s shutout bid with 1:34 remaining in the final frame when tipped home a shot from Matej Blumel for his first goal of the season with Texas on the power play.

Murray (14-15-2-1) made 34 saves on 37 shots in the losing effort as he dropped below .500 for the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-2 on the power play. Texas was 1-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Vanroboys 2) Romanov 3) Gushchin.

The announced attendance was 3,321 on ‘Cuda mascot Frenzy Bobblehead giveaway night.

UP NEXT: San Jose plays its final home game of the regular season against the Texas Stars on Saturday at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.