COACHELLA VALLEY, CA – DEC 18, 2024: The Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. San Jose Barracuda at Acrisure Arena. (Photo by Mike Zitek/Coachella Valley Firebirds)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE- In an Andrew Poturalski 3 point and a Jake Furlong first professional goal night, the Barracuda remain undefeated against the Coachella Valley FireBirds, improving to a record of 5-0.

With the Barracuda being undefeated against Coachella this season, the Firebirds wasted no time, scoring 34 seconds into the game. Logan Morrison scored his 4th of the season assisted by Ville Ottavainen and John Hayden. At 10:11, Jagger Firkus took a 2 minute penalty, giving the Barracuda their first powerplay of the game. 32 seconds later, San Jose proved why they’re first in the league on the powerplay. Andrew Poturalski scored his 10th goal of the season assisted by Filip Bystedt and Luca Cagnoni.

After getting outshot 10-7 in the first period, Lucas Carlsson gave the Barracuda their first lead of the game at 3:09 of the second. Poturalski registered the only assist and his second point of the night. At 7:44, Lleyton Roed took a 2 minute penalty for holding. A minute and 11 seconds later, Danil Guschin netted his 6th goal of the season assisted by Collin Graf and Andrew Poturalski.

Thomas Bordeleau took a 2 minute penalty for goalie interference giving the Barracuda their second penalty kill opportunity of the game at 14:33. San Jose remains in the top of the league on the penalty kill with a 88.7%. Unfortunately, the top penalty kill wasn’t effective with John Hayden scoring his 6th goal of the season to cut down the Barracuda’s lead to 1 at 14:51.

At 12:14, Collin Graf netted his 6th goal of the season assisted by Luca Cagnoni and Filip Bystedt to put the Barracuda up by two. The Barracuda are now 3 for 7 on the powerplay, keeping their first place spot.

Jake Furlong sealed the win for San Jose scoring an empty net goal for his first professional goal at 19:55.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

• 1. Andrew Poturalski
• 2. Collin Graf
• 3. Danil Guschin

The Barracuda will be back in action on Friday where they travel to Bakersfield to take on the Condors. This will be the first official matchup between the two teams this season, the last time they saw eachother was in a preseason game where the Barracuda won 4-2.