San Jose Barracuda captain Jimmy Schuldt (#59) celebrates Rem Pitlick’s (#90) first goal in a Barracuda uniform along with Danil Gushchin (#75) and Tristen Robins (#52) during the second period of San Jose’s 4-1 win over Henderson at Tech CU Arena on Saturday MAR 1, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda used four different goal scorers in a balanced scoring attack to dominate the Henderson Silver Knights in 4-1 victory on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose had its fifth victory over Henderson this season and is 1-1 on its current four-game homestand. Henderson has lost just for the third time in its past eight games.

The first period was filled with chippy-ness between the two Pacific Division rivals. Two fights happened in the first ten minutes of the game to help set the tone for a physical battle on Renaissance Night.

The Barracuda (27-20-2-3-59 points) drew first blood late in the opening frame. Thomas Bordeleau intercepted a clearing attempt by Matyas Sapovaliv inside the Silver Knights zone. Bordeleau threaded a backhand pass over to Andrew Poturalski who buried a wrist shot past the five-hole of Silver Knights goalie Carl Lindbom for his team leading 22nd goal of the season at the 15:01 mark.

Henderson (22-30-2-0-46 points) was dominated by San Jose in the opening 20 minutes as they were outshot 18-5 and did not generate many scoring chances as Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere was able to easily stop all five shots he faced.

San Jose had a golden opportunity to pad its lead when they had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:43 early in the second period when Sapovaliv went into the sinbin for a high sticking double minor penalty at the 6:59 mark. However, the Cuda weren’t able to capitalize during their extended power play.

The Barracuda scored two goals in a 29 second span late in the middle frame to separate themselves from the Silver Knights. Rem Pitlick scored his first goal in a Cuda uniform at the 18:03 mark. Danil Gushchin found Pitlick in the neutral zone. Pitlick split two Silver Knight defenders on a breakaway and beat Lindbom with a backhand to forehand move to double San Jose’s lead.

Then Pavol Regenda beat Lindbom with a wrist shot under the left arm for his seventh goal of the season at the 18:32 mark. Donavan Houle set up Regenda’s goal from below the goal line. Colin White received the secondary assist.

San Jose opened the third period with its fourth unanswered goal. Bordeleau made a pass between his legs down to the goal line over to Houle who quickly passed it back up to Bordeleau in the slot. Bordeleau beat Lindbom with a wrist shot to finish off the give-and-go with Houle for his 13th goal of the season at the 2:20 mark.

Kai Uchacz spoiled Carriere’s shutout bid with his 11th goal of the season at the 8:14 mark. Uchacz won a battle along the boards with Jake Furlong. Uchacz skated in from the short side and chipped the puck up and over Carriere. Mitch McLain and Calen Addison picked up helpers on the goal.

Carriere (5-4-0) finished the game stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced to pick up his fifth win of the season. Lindbom (13-10-1-2) had a busy night as he made 40 saves on 44 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both teams finished 0-for-5 on the power play.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Bordeleau (1G,1A) 2) Poturalski (1G,1A) 3) Houle (0G, 2A)

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson conclude their two-game weekend series on Sunday 3/2 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.