by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda scored three goals in the third period to take control of a close game as they defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 5-3 took on Friday morning at Lee’s Family Forum.

San Jose has won a season best four games in a row, including five of their first six games and swept its second straight series. Henderson has lost four games in a row and five of their first six to start their season.

San Jose (5-1) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell fed a pass back up to the point. Defenseman Jimmy Schuldt blasted a one-timer past Silver Knight’s goalie Akira Schmid for his first goal of the season at the 1:50 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead just under six minutes later. Luca Cagnoni continued his hot streak when his shot from the point was redirected by Andrew Poturalski for his second goal in back-to-back games at the 7:28 mark. Collin Graf picked up the secondary assist.

Henderson (1-5) struck back with an even strength goal 92 seconds later. A shot from the point by Calden Addison pinballed around a scrum in front of the crease. The rebound leaked out to the left wing where Brandon Hickey beat ‘Cuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov with a wrist shot the short side for his first goal of the season at the 9:00 mark.

San Jose scored an insurance goal early in the third period thanks to a turnover inside the Henderson zone. A failed clearing attempt along the right boards led to Ethan Frisch pinching in and sending the puck toward the net. Anthony Vincent redirected the puck past Schmid for his third goal of the season at the 4:07 mark.

Vincent, who only scored two goals last season, already has third goal in six games for the Barracuda.

Ethan Cardwell iced the game for the ‘Cuda late in the final frame. Vincent found Cardwell with a pass at center ice and the sophomore forward skated into the Henderson zone past two defenders before depositing the puck top-shelf to the short side for his first goal of the season at the 15:18 mark.

Gage Quinney scored a 5-on-3 power play late in the period. Quinney skated around from the right wing to up top before whipping a wrist shot past Askarov for his second goal in as many games at the 17:31 mark.

The Barracuda regained its three-goal lead with an empty net goal. Cardwell earned the assist of the game when he outbattled two Silver Knights defenders along the boards behind the net. Cardwell won the puck and flipped it over to Filip Bystedt who buried the puck into the empty for his second goal of the season at the 18:23 mark.

Kai Uchacz completed the scoring with a power play goal. Uchacz cashed in on a turnover behind the net and skated out on front and beat Askarov from point-blank range for his first goal of the season with 16 second remaining.

Askarov (4-0) remained perfect on the season as he stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced to earn his fourth win of the season. Schmid (0-4) made 36 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Henderson was 1-for-2.

San Jose is 14-16-2-2 in the all-time series versus Henderson.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 10/30 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.