San Jose Barracuda defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (#85) delivers a shot in front of the crease while Henderson Silver Knights goaltender Akira Schmid (#40) does his best to keep the puck out of the net at Tech CU Arena on Friday JAN 31, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Luca Cagnoni scored a power play goal in the third period to break a third period deadlock as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 6-2 on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has won three out of their last four games. Henderson has lost two games in a row after winning five of its past six games.

Cagnoni’s game winning goal was set up by Collin Graf just past the halfway mark of the third period. Graf sent the puck back up to the point. Cagnoni made a move around a Silver Knights defender and skated down the left wing before burying a wrist shot top shelf to the far corner for his 11th of the season at the 10:43 mark.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Vitek Vanecek made his first ever start in a ‘Cuda uniform as the Sharks sent home down for a conditioning assignment. Vaneck is recovering from a fractured cheekbone, an injury he sustained back on December 17th, 2024, when a puck sailed on to the bench striking him in the face.

San Jose (23-13-2-2-50 points) drew first blood early in the first period. Danil Gushchin had a shot attempt blocked in front of the crease. Filip Bystedt picked up the puck and made a backhand pass out to the right wing over to Gushchin who beat Silver Knights goalie Akira Schmid with a one-timer to the short side for his ninth goal of the season at the 2:56 mark.

Gushchin has scored in back-to-back games as Bystedt recorded his 13th assist of the season.

Henderson (14-27-2-0-30 points) scored the equalizer just past the halfway point of the opening frame thanks to a turnover by San Jose inside the Silver Knights zone. Jake Furlong was pickpocketed by Mason Morelli at the blueline. Morelli raced down the left wing on an odd man rush. The Silver Knight forward beat Vanecek to the glove side with a wrist shot for an unassisted goal, his eighth of the season at the 10:46 mark

The Silver Knights gained it first and only lead of the game after a faceoff win inside the ‘Cuda zone. Kai Uchacz won a battle behind the net and fed the puck back up to the point over to Jake Bischoff. The Silver Knight defenseman used a screen in front of the crease by Gage Quinney to beat Vanecek with a wrist shot for his third goal of the season at the 12:20 mark.

Barracuda defenseman Luca Cagnoni was injured in the first period when a puck hit him just under the visor. Cagnoni was able to walk off on his own power back to the locker room. He returned to the bench with 2:38 remaining in the opening 20 minutes.

San Jose tied it up early in the second period with an even strength goal. Shakir Mukhamadullin found Tristen Robins up ice in the neutral zone. Robins beat two Silver Knights defenders up the middle before depositing a backhander past Schmid for his sixth goal of the season at the 3:44 mark.

Robins, who has 10 points in his last 11 games, snapped a six-game goal-less draught.

Mukhamadullin, who was hurt temporarily injured when Morelli boarded him into the end boards that drew the penalty that led to Cagnoni’s ensuing goal, set up an insurance goal for the Barracuda under two minutes later. Mukhamadullin’s shot from the point was redirected by Anthony Vincent for his seventh goal of the season at the 12:01 mark. Vincent has also scored in back-to-back games.

San Jose put the game away with two goals in the final two minutes of the contest. Graf walked in on a breakaway for an empty net goal, his eighth of the season, at the 18:15 mark. Then Lucas Carlsson completed the scoring when he finished off a pass from Pavol Regenda for his eighth goal of the season with 1:07 remaining in the contest.

Vanecek (1-0-0) picked up his first win in a Barracuda uniform by stopping 22 of the 24 shots he faced. Schmid (6-15-1) made 34 saves on 39 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Henderson went 0-for-2.

MILESTONES: Barracuda forward Scott Sabourin played in his 500th AHL game. His family dropped the ceremonial first puck before the game. San Jose defenseman Ethan Frisch played in his 100th AHL game.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Graf (1G,1A) 2) Mukhamadullin (0G, 3A) 3) Regenda (0G, 2A).

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson conclude their two-game weekend series on Saturday 2/1 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.