Category: AHL

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda prepare for elimination game Tuesday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda and Henderson Silver Knights battled on Tue May 11, 2021 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas for the final regular season game (@sjbarracuda photo)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (15-15-4-2) closed out their regular season dropping a two goal game to the Henderson Silver Knights (24-12-0-0) 3-1 last Tuesday night at the Orleans Arena

#2 Barracuda goalie Zach Sawchenko had a tough loss allowing two goals and facing 29 shots in the loss

#3 The Barracuda’s Evan Weinger scored San Jose’s only goal with just 20 seconds left in the second period.

#4 The Barracuda’s Maxim Letunov got an assist on Tuesday and now has points in three consecutive games.

#5 The Barracuda are in a single elimination play in game to determine who gets the fourth seed on May 18 at Irvine

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda conclude regular season with 3-1 loss to Silver Knights

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

by Marko Ukalovic

LAS VEGAS, Nev–The Henderson Silver Knights defeated the San Jose Barracuda 3-1 in the ‘Cuda’s regular season finale on Tuesday evening at Orleans Arena.

San Jose finished the regular season on a four-game losing streak as they whimper into the play in-game of the Pacific Division playoffs on May 18th. Henderson have won three games in a row and finish the regular season with three games against the Bakersfield Condors.

Henderson (24-12-0-0) drew first blood late in the first period. Paul Cotter sent a shot in on ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko that was kicked out to the left slot and Ben Jones skated in and cleaned up the rebound beating Sawchenko with a wrist shot for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:32 mark.

Jones snapped an 11-game goal less draught.

Chaz Reddekopp and Zach Hayes danced the tango at the 14:17 mark in a spirited battle at center ice.

San Jose (15-15-4-2) out shot Henderson 17-9, but were left frustrated heading into the first intermission as Silver Knights goalie Logan Thompson was perfect in the opening 20 minutes.

Henderson doubled its lead on the power play early in the second period. Gage Quinney found ‘Cuda killer Dann O’Regan in the right slot and his shot ricochet off the skate of Jacob Megna through the five-hole of Sawchenko for O’Regan’s team leading 14th goal of the season at the 3:47 mark.

O’Regan, whose goal proved to be the game winner, scored six goals and 10 points against his former team this season.

San Jose finally solved the riddle known as Thompson late in the middle frame. Brandon Coe sent a pass down to Maxim Letunov down the right end line. Letunov quickly spun around and centered a pass to the back post where Evan Weinger slammed home a one-timer past the five-hole of Thompson for his fourth goal of the season at the 19:40 mark.

Weinger snapped a five-game goal less draught.

The Barracuda had a chance to tie the game up late in the third period when they had a five-on-three power play opportunity with 3:23 left in the third period. However, they weren’t able to generate any quality scoring chances as the Silver Knights ended the threat by killing off both penalites.

Jake Leschyshyn sealed the deal for Henderson with an empty net goal at the 19:20 mark. The 2017 second round draft pick of the Vegas Golden Knights scored his fifth goal of the season.

Thompson finished the game stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced to earn his 15th win of the season and fourth versus the ‘Cuda this season. Sawchenko (1-3) made 27 saves on 29 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-4 on the power play. Henderson went 1-for-3.

The Barracuda have given up a power play goal in seven straight games and 11 out of its last 12.

Mason Primeau received the secondary assist on Jones’ goal in the first period. Mason is the son of former San Jose Sharks player Wayne Primeau, who played for the Sharks from 2003-2006.

San Jose finished the season with a 5-9-3 record on the road.

The announced attendance was 2,021.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) O’Regan 2) Jones 3) Thompson

UP NEXT: The Barracuda will play in the play-in game on Tuesday 5/18. Team and time TBD.

Silver Knights take down Barracuda 5-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

by Marko Ukalovic

LAS VEGAS, Nev—Pavel Dorofeyev scored two goals for the Henderson Silver Knights as they defeated the San Jose Barracuda 5-3 on Saturday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena.

San Jose have lost three games in a row and continue to sit in fourth place in the Pacific Division. Henderson have won two in a row and sit atop of the Pacific with 46 points.

San Jose (15-14-4-2) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Nicolas Meloche started a three-on-two odd man rush and fed a pass over to Ozzy Wiesblatt at the Silver Knights blueline. Wiesblatt found Scott Reedy all alone on the right wing and he snapped home a wrist shot past Silver Knights goalie Oscar Dansk to the short side off the post for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:22 mark.

Henderson (23-12-0-0) answered back over two minutes later on the power play. Danny O’Regan picked up the puck behind the net after a battle along the boards. The former San Jose Sharks prospect skated out to the left slot and fired home a wrist shot to the short side of ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his team leading 13th goal of the season at the 6:30 mark.

O’Regan has tormented his former team all season long with his fifth goal against the Barracuda. He has 12 points in his last eight games.

The Silver Knights gained the lead when Dorofeyev scored his first goal of the game. Zach Hayes sent a shot in from the left point that snuck underneath and behind Zawchenko. Dorofeyev crashed the net and jammed home the rebound for his seventh goal of the season at the 12:37 mark.

Henderson scored its third unanswered goal of the game early in the second period. Ryan Murphy fed a pass over to Dylan Sikura whose shot popped up in the air and went behind Sawchenko. Cody Glass whacked the puck out of the air into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season at the 4:05 mark.

The Barracuda came back and answered back 95 seconds later. Ryan Merkley sent a shot from the point that was blocked out in front. The rebound leaked out to Maxim Letunov who buried a wrist shot under the arm of Dansk for his 12th goal of the season at the 5:40 mark.

Letunov has scored in back-to-back games and has three goals in his past four games.

Dorofeyev gave the Silver Knights a huge insurance goal early in the third period with his second goal of the game seconds after their power play opportunity had expired. Gage Quinney set up Dorofeyev right in front of the crease and he tapped home the puck past Sawchenko for his eighth goal of the season at the 2:05 mark.

San Jose cut the lead to a one-goal game with a five-on-three power play goal right after Henderson’s fourth goal. Jayden Halbgewachs’ shot rebounded over to Wiesblatt who skated out to the right face off circle, outwaited Dansk and snapped home a wrist shot top-shelf for his second goal of the season at the 4:04 mark.

It was a pair of firsts for the Sharks 2020 first round draft pick. He scored his first power play goal as well as his first multi-point game of his careeer.

The ‘Cuda pulled Sawchenko for an extra attacker with 1:53 left in the third period but Jack Dugan ended their comeback attempt with an empty net goal with 29 seconds remaining for his ninth goal of the season.

Dansk finished the game stopping 27 of the 30 shots he faced, including three consecutive point blank saves while the ‘Cuda were on the five-on-three penalty kill, to earn the victory. Sawchenko made 35 saves on 39 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both San Jose and Henderson went 1-for-5 on the power play.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dorofeyev 2) Glass 3) Sikura

The announced attendance was 3831.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda conclude the regular season against the Silver Knights on Tuesday 5/11 at 7:00pm at Orleans Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda play last game of season on Tuesday night in Vegas

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda Jacob McGrew forward (64) defends against the boards Mon May 3, 2021 against the Bakersfield Condors at Solar4America in San Jose (@sjbarracuda photo)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (15-13-4-2) concluded their final home game of the season against the Bakersfield Condors (21-12-0-1) last Monday after winning three straight over the Condors the Barracuda couldn’t hold on for the win losing by two goals 5-3.

#2 Barracuda goaltender Alexi Melnichuk had a rough outing last Monday allowing five goals on 19 Condor shots.

#3 The Condors goalie Stuart Skinner has had some luck he was the AHL CCM goalie of the month of March. He stopped 35 Barracuda shots against and won his 18th game he’s got a bright future whenever he get recalled to the Oilers.

#4 Joel Kellman has been going well for the Barracuda he was the CCM AHL Player of the Week he picked up three points for the Barracuda last Monday and has scored ten points in his last four games.

#5 The Barracuda faced off against the Henderson Silver Knights at 1:00pm today at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas just get a run down from you on how that game went.

Join Marko for the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Condors take down Barracuda 5-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Bakersfield Condors defeated the San Jose Barracuda on Mon May 3, 2021 at Solar4America Ice in San Jose (@sjbarracuda image)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif-The Bakersfield Condors scored three goals in the third period en route to a 5-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Monday evening at Solar4America Ice.

San Jose have lost two games in a row and finished 3-4-2-1 in the ten-game series against their Pacific Division rival. Bakersfield has won two games in a row and currently sit in second place with 43 points. The went 7-3 against the Barracuda.

San Jose (15-13-4-2) drew first blood on the power play early in the first period. Jayden Halbgewachs won a battle behind the goal line. He sent the puck back up to the right point over to Sasha Chmelevski. The Long Beach native faked a wide rink pass and skated down the wing as he fired a wrist shot to the short side past Condors goalie Stuart Skinner for his ninth goal of the season at the 4:50 mark. Joel Kellman received the secondary assist.

The ‘Cuda came into the game with the best power play in the AHL on home ice with a clip of 26.9%.

Bakersfield (21-12-0-1) evened the score with a power play goal of their own. Adam Cracknell set up Seth Griffith on the right slot. Griffith fired a wrist shot top-shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his ninth goal of the season at the 13:10 mark of the first period.

Griffith has a three-goal scoring streak and has points in five of his last six games. He has feasted against the Barracuda this season with nine points (5G 4A).

The Condors gained the lead late in the first period with its second power play goal. A shot from the point by Max Gildon caromed off the boards onto the stick of Brad Malone and the Condors captain banked the puck off of Melnichuk into the back of the net for his eighth goal of the season at the 17:47 mark.

Bakersfield scored on 66% of its three shots in the opening 20 minutes as they were out shot 17-3 by San Jose.

San Jose scored the equalizer with its second power play goal of the game late in the second period. Joel Kellman started the rush inside the Condors zone. Chmelevski sent a rink wide pass over to Maxim Letunov at the right slot and Letunov blasted a one-timer past Skinner for his 11th goal of the season at the 17:32 mark.

Letunov tied Chmelevski for the team lead with four power play goals.

Evan Weinger had a spirited fight with Luke Esposito late in the middle frame as they two danced the tango at the 15:09 mark.

Bakersfield regained its third lead of the game early in the third period. A shot from the Gildon from the left point sprung off the backboards right on to the stick of Devin Brosseau and he tapped the puck into an empty net for his third goal of the season at the 2:00 mark.

The Barracuda tied the game for the second time in the game on a short-handed goal. Joel Kellman intercepted a pass from Griffith, raced down the left side and from a tough angle beat Skinner with a wrist shot for his eighth goal (his first short-handed) of the season at the 5:12 mark.

Kellman has been hot for the ‘Cuda with another multi-point game (G, 2A). He has eight points in his past three games.

The Condors scored the game winning goal when Tyler Benson led a counter attack up the ice. He fed a back pass up to Cooper Marody who skated in and beat Melnichuk with a wrist shot for his team leading 20th goal of the season at the 12:43 mark.

Bakersfield received some insurance when Malone scored a short-handed goal, his second of the game, when he skated down the left wing after a pass from Vincent Desharnais and he beat Melnichuk to the short side with a wrist shot a the 14:33 mark.

Malone has five goals over his last two games.

Skinner finished the game stopping 35 of the 38 shots he faced to earn his league leading 18th victory of the season. Melnichuk made 14 saves on 19 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 2-for-8 on the power play. Bakersfield was 2-for-5.

Ozzie Wiesblatt was back in the lineup for San Jose in his fourth AHL game. Wiesblatt had just completed a short season in the WHL where he played in 23 games and had 28 points.

Cracknell finished the season series with 12 points against San Jose (4G, 8A).

San Jose has scored four short-handed goals this season.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Malone 2) Kellman 3) Skinner

UP NEXT: San Jose finishes the regular season on the road as the visit the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday 5/8 at 1:00pm at T-Mobile Arena.

Silver Knights split series with 4-0 shutout win over Barracuda

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Tough game for the San Jose Barracuda taking a one goal loss to the Henderson Silver Knights at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat May 1, 2021 (@sjbarracua photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–Less than 24 hours after giving up seven goals, including a franchise worst five power play goals, the Henderson Silver Knights exacted revenge on the San Jose Barracuda in a 4-0 shutout victory on Saturday evening at SAP Center.

Henderson snapped its two game losing streak as they split the two-game series. With the loss, San Jose had its three-game winning streak also snapped.

It was a complete 180 for the ‘Cuda after setting a few franchise scoring marks the night before against its Pacific Division rival. San Jose matched a franchise low with just 16 shots on net.

Oscar Dansk had a relatively easy night as he stopped all 16 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the season and seventh of his career.

Henderson (22-12-0-0) drew first blood on a five-on-three power play early in the first period. The Silver Knights only needed 20 second during the two-man advantage to break the seal. Danny O’Regan fed a pass over to Jack Dugan who fired a one-timer top-shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey for his first goal of the period and his seventh of the season at the 4:36 mark.

The Silver Knights doubled its lead five minutes later. Paul Cotter picked up the puck at center ice. He raced in from the left side on a two-on-two rush. Cotter performed a toe-drag before snapping a wrist shot past Harvey, who was screened by Jonas Rondbjerg, for his sixth goal of the season at the 9:30 mark.

Dugan gave the Silver Knights a 3-0 lead late in the period with his second goal of the opening 20 minutes. Brayden Pachal hit Dugan with a home run pass at the blueline. Dugan than skated in on a breakaway and made a fore-hand to backhand move as he slipped the puck past Harvey for his eighth goal of the season at the 14:39 mark.

San Jose (15-12-4-2) was dominated by Henderson on the shot clock 16-6 after the first period.

Henderson scored its fourth unanswered goal late in the second period. Lucan Elvenes found Reid Duke alone at the Barraucuda blueline. Duke raced in all alone and shot a quick wrister through the five-hole of Harvey for his fourth goal of the season at the 14:35 mark.

Duke ended a nine-game goal less draught.

Henderson out shot San Jose 11-5 in the middle frame.

Things became chippy in the scoreless third period as frustration set in for San Jose as the ‘Cuda engaged in three fights. Sasha Chmelevski and Peter DeLiberatore went it at the 3:53 mark. Steen Pasichnuk and Duke danced the tango at the 8:17 mark. Then Brinson Pasichnuk and Jermiane Loewen were both given game misconduct penalties after they scrapped with each other at the 11:13 mark.

Harvey made 35 saves on 39 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-4 on the power play. Henderson went 1-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dugan 2) O’Regan 3) Ryan Murphy

UP NEXT: The Barracuda close out its regular season home schedule as they host the Bakersfield Condors on Monday 5/3 at 4:00pm at Solar4Amerca Ice.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda and Knights keep things on edge in 7-5 thriller

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Barracuda (15-11-4-2) had plenty to celebrate on Fri Apr 30, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose as they scored five times on the power play and won 7-5 over the Henderson Silver Knights (21-12) (@sjbarracuda photo)

#1 Joel Kellman scored the game winning goal with 31 seconds left in regulation on the power play to give the San Jose Barracuda a 7-5 victory over the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday evening at SAP Center.

#2 The ‘Cuda set a franchise record for the most power play goals in a game with five. 

#3 The Barracuda needed every single goal in a game that went back and fourth in a frantic third period that featured seven combined goals.

#4 San Jose has won three games in a row for the second time this season and continue to occupy fourth place and the final play spot in the Pacific Division.

#5 San Jose and Henderson go back at it again tonight at 5:15pm at SAP Center. Could there be another scoring thriller tonight?

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda set power play goal mark, take down Silver Knights in a wild 7-5 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda share congratulations as they went five for five on the power play on Sat Apr 29, 2021 against the Henderson Silver Knights at SAP Center in San Jose (@sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–Joel Kellman scored the game winning goal with 31 seconds left in regulation on the power play to give the San Jose Barracuda a 7-5 victory over the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday evening at SAP Center.

The ‘Cuda set a franchise record for the most power play goals in a game with five. And they needed every single one of them in a game that went back and fourth in a frantic third period that featured seven combined goals.

San Jose has won three games in a row for the second time this season and continue to occupy fourth place and the final play spot in the Pacific Division. Henderson have lost three out of its last four games.

The Barracuda (15-11-4-2) drew first blood in the first seven minutes of the first period. Joel Kellman sent a rink-wide pass over to Chmelevski who buried a wrist shot just inside the short side of the post for his seventh goal of the season at the 7:16 mark. Robbie Russo received the secondary assist.

San Jose doubled its lead on the power play thanks again to the combo of Russo, Kellman and Chmelevski. Kellman sent in a shot in from the left slot that got behind Silver Knights goalie Oscar Dansk. Chmelevski raced in from the right and jammed home the puck past an outstretched Dansk for his second power play of the period and his eighth goal of the season at the 13:28 mark.

Henderson (21-12-0-0) cut the lead in half with a power play goal of their own late in the opening frame. Ryan Murphy sent a pass over to Danny O-Regan at the left slot. The former Barracuda forward haunted his own old team with a wrist shot past the five-hole of ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk or his 11th goal of the season at the 16:00 mark.

San Jose out shot Henderson 11-9 in the first period.

The Silver Knights evened the score at two early in the second period with its second power play goal. A shot from the right slot by Cody Glass hit off Melnichuk’s shoulder and popped over behind him in the crease. O’Regan was at the right place at the right time as he tapped home the puck into an open net for his second power play goal and 12th of the season at the 7:35 mark.

San Jose regained the lead late in the second period with its third power play goal of the game. Jayden Halbgewachs attempted drop pass went off a Silver Knight stick that led to Maxim Letunov. The Russian forward gathered the puck, dropped to a knee and sniped home a wrist shot past Dansk low to the far post for his 10th goal of the season at the 18:54 mark.

The Barracuda scored what they thought was an early insurance goal in the first minute of the third period for its fourth power play goal of the game. Brinson Pasichnuk sent a pass from the point over to Brandon Coe. The 19-year old forward snapped home a wrist shot from a tough angle from the left wing for his first career AHL goal at the 0:55 mark.

Henderson made it a one-goal game near the halfway mark of the third period. A shot from the right wing by Reid Duke bounced off the pad of Melnichuk right to the stick of Pavel Dorofeyev who swept the puck past Melnichuk for his sixth goal of the season at the 8:43 mark.

San Jose regained a two-goal lead on it’s own even strength goal. Nicolas Meloche fed a home-run pass out to Kellman along the left wing. Kellman skated in snapped a wrist shot past Dansk for his fifth goal of the season at the 10:41 mark. Chmelevski received the secondary assist that earned him a three-point game.

The Silver Knights didn’t go down quietly as Jonas Ronsbjerg snipped a wrist shot to the short side past Melnichuk for his fourth goal of the season at the 13:30 mark

Henderson scored the equalizer with 2:05 left in the third period when they pulled Dansk for an extra attacker. Jack Dugan fired a wrist shot from between the face off circles past Melnichuk for his sixth goal of the season.

Kellman earned his first career AHL hat trick with an empty net goal from his own defensive zone for his sixth goal of the season at the 19:44 mark. Kellman finished the night with a franchise record five-point game.

The Swedish forward is the first ‘Cuda player to score three goals in one period as he set another franchise mark.

Melnichuk (7-6-3) finished the game stopping 26 of the 31 shots to earn his third straight victory. Dansk (4-2) made 31 saves on 37 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose were a perfect 5-for-5 on the power play. Henderson was 2-for-5.

Kellman’s hat trick was the first of the season for San Jose, It was its eighth in franchise history.

Chmelevski has scored three points in back-to-back games for San Jose.

Jake McGrew suffered an upper body and left the ice halfway through the third period. He came back and finished the game.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kellman 2) Chmelevski 3) Russo, who had four assists in the game.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson go back at it again on Saturday 5/1 at 5:15pm at SAP Center.

Barracuda beat Condors 4-2 with third period comeback

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

A happy group of San Jose Barracuda skate off the ice at Solar4America in San Jose after defeating the Bakersfield Condors on Tue Apr 27, 2021 (@sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–Joel Kellman scored the game winning with just over two minutes left in the game as the San Jose Barracuda came back from a one-goal deficit to beat the the Bakersfield Condors 4-2 on Tuesday evening at Solar4America Ice.

Sasha Chmelevski skated out from behind the net and threaded a back door pass to Kellman who buried a one-timer for his fourth goal of the season at the 17:48 mark of the third period.

Chmelevski ended the game with a three point night (1G, 2A).

San Jose have won two games in a row and climbed back into fourth place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with .548 winning percentage as the Colorado Eagles were idle on the evening. Bakersfield have lost two in a row.

Bakersfield (19-12-0-1) drew first blood in early in the first period on the power play. Tyler Benson made a rink wide pass over to Adam Cracknell from the left wing. The 35-year old veteran one-timed the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his 10th goal of the season at the 5:49 mark.

Evan Weinger was given a five-minute major penalty for elbowing at the 3:08 mark when he hit Kevin Gravel up high that led to a big scrum where Sasha Cmelevski and Phillip Kemp threw fisticuffs. The Condors were only able to score the one goal during Weinger’s penalty. Brad Malone was given a 10-minute game misconduct penalty.

San Jose (14-11-4-2) scored the equalizer on the power play late in the first period. Chmelevski sent a shot from the right slot that pinballed out to the left wing and Jayden Halbgewachs snapped a wrist shot past Condors goalie Olivier Rodrigue for his sixth goal of the season at the 16:49 mark.

Since coming back from an injury where he missed nine games, Halbgewachs has scored a goal in back-to-back to games and is on a three-game point streak.

The Condors regained the lead with their second power play goal of the period. . A battle along the left wing had the puck bounced over to Seth Griffith and he fired a wrist shot top-shelf past Melnichuk for his seventh goal of the season at the 18:16 mark.

Both teams combined for 39 penalties in the opening 20 minutes that saw Bakersfield out shoot San Jose 13-11.

The bad blood spilled over into the second period. Nicholas Meloche and Benson both received 10 minute misconduct penalties at the 3:38 mark after both had been assessed minor penalties for cross-checking and roughing after played had stopped.

San Jose had a full two-minute five-on-three power play opportunity but the Condors penalty kill held the fort, led by Rodrigue, and kept the ‘Cuda from tying the game.

San Jose out shot Bakersfield 11-6 in the middle frame.

The Barracuda evened the score in the third period that was the start of three unanswered goals in the final frame. Maxim Letunov fed a pass over to Ivan Chekhovich in between the faceoff circles. Chekhovich made a backdoor pass just to the right of the crease where Jake McGrew tapped the puck into an open net for his fourth goal of the season at the 11:57 mark.

Chmelevski iced the game for the ‘Cuda with his empty net goal, his sixth of the season with 61 second left.

Melnichuk (6-6-3) finished the game stopping 22 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the victory. Rodrigue (3-5-0) made 32 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

Both teams finished the game with a combined 89 penalty minutes in the ninth contest between the division rivals.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1-for-7 on the power play. Bakersfield went 2-for-5.

San Jose has won three straight games against Bakersfield on home ice.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kellman 2) Chmelevski 3) Halbgewachs

UP NEXT: The Barracuda host the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday 4/30 at 6:00pm at SAP Center.

Barracuda take down Reign 4-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda were able to skate ahead of the Ontario Reign at the Toyota Performance Center in El Segundo on Sun Apr 25, 2021 (@ sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

EL SEGUNDO, Calif-The San Jose Barracuda created a new line and it paid dividends right away as they upended the Ontario Reign on 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at the Toyota Performance Center.

San Jose snapped its two game losing streak and earned its third straight road victory. They swept the season series 4-0 against their SoCal division rival. Ontario has lost six straight on home ice (0-4-2).

Ontario (10-18-4-0) drew first blood on the power play in the first period. Akil Thomas’ shot from the left slot was saved by ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk but the rebound leaked out to Martin Frk who buried a wrist shot under the crossbar into the back of the net for his second goal of the season at the 12:16 mark.

San Jose (13-11-4-2) answered back immediately just seven seconds later. Scott Reedy won the ensuing faceoff at center ice over to Jake McGrew who raced down the right wing and whistled a wrist shot off the far post past Reign goalie Jean-Francois Berube for his third goal of the season.

With Joachim Blichfeld called up to the San Jose Sharks, ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer put together the line of Reedy, McGrew and Jayden Halbgewachs. Each member of the newly formed line each had a goal in the game as they had a hand in 75% of San Jose’s goals. The lined combined for eight total points.

The Barracuda gained its first lead of the game just over two minutes later. A turnover by the Reign at its own blueline led to a shot by McGrew that Berube couldn’t corral. Reedy crashed the net and jammed home the rebound past Berube for his fourth goal of the season at the 15:47 mark.

Ontario out shot San Jose 13-7 in the opening 20 minutes.

San Jose went up 3-1 early in the second period. The ‘Cuda kept sustained pressure inside the Reign’s zone. Jaycob Megna collected the puck at the left point and fired home the puck past a screened Berube for his second goal of the season at the 7:15 mark. Megna snapped a 19-game goal less draught.

Ontario cut the lead to a one-goal game late in the second period with its second power play goal of the game. Alex Turcotte lasered a wrist shot from top of the circle on the left side past Melnichuk into the right corner for his third goal of the season at the 16:10 mark.

The Reign had a 22-15 edge in shots at the end of 40 minutes.

The Barracuda scored an insurance goal early in the third goal and took control of the third period. Once again the line of McGrew, Reedy and Halbgewachs created the much needed offense.

McGrew threw a shot in on net from the right slot. Reedy’s rebound attempt was saved by Berube, but Halbgewachs cashed in on the second chance right at the doorstep of the crease as he lifted the puck over the sprawled out Berube for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:22 mark.

Melnichuk (5-6-3) finished the game stopping 33 of the 35 shots he faced to earn the victory. Berube (4-9-2) made 18 saves on 22 shots in the losing effort. He was 0-2 versus the ‘Cuda this season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-3 on the power play. Ontario went 2-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Reedy 2) McGrew 3) Halbgewachs.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Bakersfield Condors on Tuesday 4/27 at 6:00pm at Solar4America Ice.