San Jose Barracuda forward Zach Ostapchuk (#63) reacts after scoring a goal on Ontario Reign goalie Phoenix Copley (#29) during the Cuda’s 4-2 win over the Reign at Tech CU Arena on Saturday NOV 1, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda rebounded nicely after a very poor performance the night before in a 4-2 victory over the Ontario Reign on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose snapped it’s two-game losing streak and won for just the second time in their past six games. Ontario lost for the just the second time in its past six games.

The Barracuda (3-5-0) drew first blood defenseman Jack Thompson scored his first goal of the season at the 8:07 mark of the first period. Ethan Cardwell, who was back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch the night before, picked up the primary assist and Lucas Carlsson received the secondary helper.

Zach Ostapchuk doubled the Cuda’s lead with a short-handed goal late in the opening frame. Ostapchuk skated in a breakaway and beat Reign goalie Phoenix Copley with a wrist shot for his second goal of the season at the 15:05 mark.

Ontario (5-3-1) cut their deficit in half when Martin Chromiak scored his third goal of the season just past the halfway mark of the second period at 10:23. Glenn Gawdin and Joe Hicketts set up Chromiak’s second goal in as many games.

The teams traded power play goals in the third period. Quentin Musty regained San Jose’s two-goal lead when he buried a shot past Copley for his second goal of the season at the 7:34 mark. Colin White and Cam Lund were credited with assists. Then Taylor Ward answered with fifth goal of the season at the 16:07 mark to bring some late game drama.

However, 63 seconds later, Pavol Regenda shut down any Reign attempt at a comeback when he scored his first goal of the season to seal the deal for San Jose with 2:50 remaining in the game. Filip Bystedt had the only assist on the play.

Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season. Copley made 26 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Musty 2) Ostapchuk 3) Thompson.

UP NEXT: San Jose starts a five-game road trip when they take on the Ontario Reign on Tuesday November 4th at 7:00pm at Toyota Arena.