San Jose Barracuda vs Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday April 9th at Acrisure Arena (via sjbarracuda/x)

By Madison Montez

There was a lack of goals throughout the first and second periods but there wasn’t a lack of effort. Both teams in Wednesday night’s midweek matchup were playing their absolute best games of the season. For the overtime winner 53 seconds in, Filip Bystedt scored his 11th goal of the season as the San Jose Barracuda edged the Coachella Valley Firebirds 1-0.

Although the scoring appeared even and low, the shots on goals were split between the first and second periods but San Jose outshot Coachella Valley in the third period. In the first period, San Jose outshot Coachella Valley 12 to 7. In the second period, Coachella Valley outshot San Jose 11 to 5. To end the game, San Jose outshot Coachella Valley 10 to 6.

Tempers were flared in Wednesday night’s game, especially throughout the second period. During the first period, each team took two penalties each. In the second period, Coachella took six penalties and San Jose took five.

Seven of the eleven penalties were for fighting or roughing. Coachella was given a four minute power-play opportunity when Lucas Vanroboys took a 4 minute double minor for attempting to head butt a Firebird. Ultimately, both San Jose and Coachella Valley equally took nine penalties.

The penalty kills were on display Wednesday night with neither team being able to capitalize on the many penalties. Previous to Wednesday night’s game, San Jose was in fifth place on the PK with an 82.2%. Coachella Valley was in 1st, and it showed in Wednesday night’s game, going nine for nine on the penalty kill.

Wednesday night’s game was nothing but a goalie duel starting goalie for San Jose was Yaroslav Askarov, his second game in a row after his injury. Askarov faced 24 shots and made 24 saves, his second shutout against the FireBirds this season. For Coachella Valley, starting goalie was Nikke Kokko. Kokko recorded the loss, making 27 saves on 28 shots.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

• 1. Yaroslav Askarov, 24 svs on 24 shots
• 2. Nikke Kokko, 27 svs on 28 shots
• 3. Filip Bystedt, 1G

The Barracuda will be back in action on Friday April 11th for the last home series of the regular season. San Jose will be hosting the Ontario Reign.