San Jose Barracuda forward Anthony Vincent (#76) battled for a puck alongside Coachella Valley Firebirds defenseman Cale Fleury during the blah blah’s 2-1 victory at Tech CU Arena on Sunday DEC 8, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Donovan Houle scored the game winning goal in the third period to give the San Jose Barracuda 2-1 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose swept the weekend series and and has won five out of its past six games. Coachella Valley has lost five of its past six games.

Coachella Valley (11-8-1-2-25 points) drew first blood with an even strength goal near the halfway mark of the first period. Ville Ottavainen set up Nikolas Brouillard up at the point and the Firebirds defenseman blasted a slapshot past Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his second goal of the season at 9:36.

San Jose (14-6-0-1-29 points) scored the equalizer with a power play goal late in the opening frame. Shakir Mukhamadullin’s slap shot from the point was initially saved by Firebirds goalie Nikke Kokko, but the puck bounced out to Thomas Bordeleau who buried the rebound in for his fourth goal of the season at the 15:17 mark.

Tensions boiled over from last night as both teams danced the tango with the fisticuffs twice in the period. Tucker Robertson and Lucas Vanroboys fought at the 2:41 mark and then Ian McKinnon and Scott Sabourin battled it out on the ice with 24 seconds remaining.

“They (Coachella Valley) came out competitively tonight and I thought we matched them. I thought we responded appropriately. It’s good to take care of that side of it and get back to playing hockey,” Cuda head coach John McCarthy said.

Things calmed down in a scoreless second period. There were only two minor penalties in the penalty, both by San Jose. However, Coachella Valley weren’t able to cash in on either opportunity as once again the Barracuda penalty kill kept the Firebirds from taking the lead in the middle frame.

“You always talk about having your goalie be your best (penalty) killer. Askie (Yaroslav Askarov) has been huge for us. Tonight Gerogie (Romanov) was awesome. Also being on the same page and out competing their five guys with our four,” defensman Jimmy Schuldt said.

Houle’s game winning heroics for San Jose happened just past the halfway mark of the third period. Collin White sent the puck back up to the point. Mukhamadullin sent a wrist shot on net that was redirected by Houle that knuckleballed past Kokko for his fifth goal of the season at the 10:32 mark.

“I just tried to get to the net and get a stick on the puck,” said Houle on his game winning goal. “Luckily, I tipped it. It was a great feeling.”

Romanov (4-3-0) finished the game stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his fourth win of the season and jump over the .500 mark for the first time this season. Kokko (6-1-1) suffered his first regulation loss of the season as he made 36 saves on 38 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Coachella Valley was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Houle 2) Romanov 3) Bordeleau.

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a five-game road trip on Thursday 12/10 when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.