The San Jose Barracuda had no problem taking the down the Coachella Valley Firebirds in a 5-1 win at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday MAR 18, 2026. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda gave the school kids a lot to cheer about on a Wednesday morning.

San Jose scored five unanswered from five different goal scorers as they dominated the Coachella Valley Firebirds in a 5-1 victory during the annual Cuda Classroom Day at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose snapped its two-game losing streak after not earning a point in Tucson this past weekend. Coachella Valley had its four-game winning streak stopped.

The Barracuda jumped out to a quick start with a power play goal early in the first period. Egor Afansyev scored his 12th goal of the season at the 3:36 mark. Oliver Wahlstrom and Quentin Musty recorded assists.

Colin White scored San Jose’s second power play goal of the game to start the second period. Wahlstrom picked up his second help on White’s 13th goal of the season at the 2:52 mark. Luca Cagnoni received the secondary assist.

Kasper Halttunen helped give the Cuda a nice cushion right before intermission when he scored his 12th goal of the season at the 17:31 mark. Patrick Giles and Donovon Houle picked up helpers on the play.

San Jose put the game away with two goals in the first six minutes of the third period. Some fourth line magic opened up the period with an even strength goal. Brendan Hoffmann scored his third goal of the season at the 2:59 mark. Anthony Vincent and Lucas Vanroboys helped set up Hoffmann’s goal.

Then Vanroboys scored the fifth unanswered goal for the Cuda at the 6:00 minute mark with his second goal of the year. Giles picked up his second assist of the game while Jet Woo recorded his first point in a Barracuda uniform receiving the secondary assist.

J.R Avon spoiled Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere’s shutout bid late in the period when he scored his seventh goal of the season a the 12:54 mark.

Carriere finished the game stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced to earn the win. Firebirds goalie Nikke Kokko made 32 saves on 37 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 2-for-4 on the power play. Coachella Vally went 0-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) White 2) Vanroboys 3) Giles.

UP NEXT: San Jose opens a two-game weekend series with the Abbotsford Canucks on Saturday at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.