Category: AHL

Condors rout Barracuda in 6-0 shutout win

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Photo credit: @Condors

By Marko Ukalovic

The Bakersfield Condors used five different goal scorers in a dominating 6-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at Mechanics Bank Arena.

Bakersfield have won three games in a row after beginning the season losing their first five games. The loss snapped San Jose’s two-game winning streak.

The Condors (3-5-0-0) scored the game’s opening goal early in the first period. James Hamblin fed a pass out to Janis Jaks, who skated in from the right wing and snapped a wrist shot that beat ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk to the blocker side for his first goal of the season at the 5:48 mark.

Bakersfield doubled its lead just over two minutes later when Tyler Benson worked a give-and-go with Luke Esposito from the left slot and Esposito one-timed a shot past the five-hole of Melnichuk for the first of his two goals on the night at the 7:58 mark.

The Condors continued its onslaught scoring on the power play. After a clean faceoff win, Cooper Marody found Adam Cracknell between the faceoff circles and Cracknell fired home a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his second goal of the season at the 10:42 mark.

San Jose (3-3-1-0) had no answer to the Condors’ attack as they were outshot 10-6 in the opening frame.

Esposito scored his second goal of the game and fourth of the season when he redirected Markus Niemelainen’s shot from the left point past Melnichuk at the 3:04 mark of the second period.

Once again, Bakersfield controlled play in the middle frame, outshooting San Jose 12-8.

The Condors sealed the game in the third period with two goals in a span of 33 second at the halfway mark.

Joe Gambardella created a turnover in the ‘Cuda zone and fed a pass over to Jakob Stukel, who buried a wrist shot from the slot into the back of the net for his first goal of the first goal of the season at the 10:57 mark.

Seth Griffin closed out the scoring when he finished off a two-on-one odd man rush from Ostap Safin for his second goal of the season at the 11:30 mark.

Condors goalie Stuart Skinner made 22 saves to earn the shutout win. Melnichulk made 21 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-3 on the power play. Bakersfield went 1-for-2/

Zach Gallant and Max Gildon exchanged fisticuffs in a spirited fight in the first period.

The Three Stars of the Game were:
1) Stuart Skinner
2) Luke Esposito
3) Janis Jaks

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its road trip on Friday 3/5 when they travel out to San Diego to take on the Gulls at 7:00 pm PT at Pechanga Arena.

Barracuda take down Reign 3-1, sweep series

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Congratulations all around after the San Jose Barracuda sweep the Ontario Reign in a two game series at Solar4America Ice in San Jose on Sun Feb 28, 2021 (photo from sjbarracuda.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif—The San Jose Barracuda were able to carry the momentum from their previous game against the Ontario Reign and dominated their SoCal rival in a 3-1 victory on Sunday evening at Solar4America Ice.

The ‘Cuda have won two games in a row for the first time this season as they swept the two-game series. Ontario has lost four in a row, including their last five on the road.

San Jose (3-2-1-0) scored the only goal in the first period, a period where they outshot Ontario 11-5.

Ryan Merkley sent a pass up to the point where Brinson Pasichnuk blasted a slap shot that Kuris Gabriel redirected past Reign goalie JF Berube for his second goal in as many nights at the 10:52 mark.

Pasichnuk now has three assists on the season. Merkley received the secondary assist for his second in his pro career.

Ontario (1-8-1-0) scored the equalizer early in the second period. Mikey Eyssimont led a two-on-one rush from the neutral zone. He sent a cross ice pass over to Samuel Fagemo who one-timed a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Josef Korenar for his fourth goal of the season at the 5:10 mark.

The Barracuda took advantage of a delay of game penalty by Sean Durzi midway through the middle frame. Nick DeSimone found Joachim Blichfeld on the left wing and the winger made a cut back move into the middle and snapped home a wrist shot that fooled Berube and into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season at the 11:37 mark.

Alexander True received the secondary assist on the power play goal for San Jose.

San Jose kept Berube busy in the second period as they outshot Ontario 20-9. Berube gave his team a fighting chance in the third period by keeping the deficit to just one goal.

The ‘Cuda controlled play in the third period as they out shot Ontario 17-6. Ontario wasn’t able to generated much of an offensive attack as San Jose had them on their heels for most of the period.

Blichfeld completed his two-goal game with an empty net goal he fired from the right blue line at the 18:27 mark to ice the game for San Jose. Blichfeld has taken over the as the team’s goal leader with his six goals on the season.

Korenar (2-0-0) stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced in earning back to back wins. Berube (0-3-1) was the hard luck loser making 44 saves on 46 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1-for-1 on the power play. Ontario was 0-for-2.

The Three Stars of the game were: 1) Blichfeld 2) Gabriel 3) Berube

UP NEXT: The Barracuda travel out to Bakersfield to take on the Condors on Wednesday 3/3 at 6:00pm.

 

Barracuda come back from three-goal deficit to beat Reign 6-3

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — When you have been off for 13 days, a little rust is expected in your first game back.

The San Jose Barracuda gave up the game’s first three goals, but ended up scoring the final six in a 6-3 victory over the Ontario Reign on Saturday evening at Solar4America Ice.

San Jose had five consecutive games postponed due to a combination of inclement weather and COVID-19 protocols. This was their first game played since February 13th.

In the first period, the ‘Cuda had a tough time shaking off the rust as the Reign scored three goals in a three-minute span to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

First Aidan Dudas scored his second goal of the season at the 8:34 mark. Cameron Gaunce received the only assist on Dudas’ goal.

Quinton Byfield set up Mikey Eyssimont down low and Eyssimont slid the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Josef Korenar for his first goal of the season at the 10:28 mark.

Just over a minute later, Blaine Byron scored a power play goal for Ontario (1-7-1-0) when he tipped in a shot from Blyfield past Korenar for his third goal of the season at the 11:39 mark.

Ontario dominated the opening 20 minutes, outshooting San Jose 14-4.

San Jose (2-2-1-0) began its comeback near the halfway mark of the second period. Kurtis Gabriel centered a pass over to a wide-open Fredrik Handemark and buried home the puck into an open net for the first of his two goals of his AHL career at the 8:33 mark.

The ‘Cuda scored the next three goals in a two-minute span that had the Reign on their heels for the final five minutes of the middle frame.

Joel Kellman finished off a two-on-one odd man rush with a wrist shot that beat Reign goalie Matthew Villalta for an unassisted goal, his first of the season at the 15:32 mark.

After a clean faceoff win, Nick DeSimone fired a slap shot from the right point that Joachim Blichfeld was able to redirect past Villalta for his team leading fourth goal of the game at the 17:02 mark.

30 seconds later, Gabriel completed his “Gordie Howe hat trick” when he skated in from behind the Reign net and tucked home the puck inside the right post for his first goal of the season at the 17:32 mark.

Gabriel, who assisted on Handemark’s goal, also had a spirited fight with Ontario’s Jacob Doty back in the first period.

Reign head coach John Wroblewski pulled Villalta from the game and replaced him with J.F. Berube to start the third period.

San Jose capped off the scoring with two short-handed, empty-net goals at the end of the third period when Ontario pulled Berube for an extra attacker. Antti Suomela scored art the 18:03 mark and Handemark scored his second of the night at the 18:39 mark.

Kornear, who made his season debut, stopped 33 of the 36 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season. Villalta made 13 saves on 17 shots suffered the loss. Berube stopped all 13 shots he faced.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-3 on the power play. Ontario was 1-for-6.

Suomela extended his point streak to four games (1G, 3A).

Kellman had his fifth multi-point game of his AHL career.

Gabriel and Jeffery Viel put a team-best nine shots on net.

Blichfeld also extended his point streak to four games (4G, 3A).

San Jose’s four-goal second was the most goals scored in a period this season.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Ontario square off again on Sunday 2/28 at 5:00 pm at Solar4America Ice.

San Jose Barracuada podcast: If all goes right Barracuda will face off against Ontario tonight; First game back since Feb 13th

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The San Jose Barracuda goaltender Josef Korenar rejoined the team on Feb 21st after a stint with the parent club the San Jose Sharks. Korenar is expected to get his share of work between the pipes as the Barracuda host the Ontario Reign tonight at SAP Center (file photo from the Hockey Writers)

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko tonight finally tonight the Barracuda play their first game since Feb 13th before they got froze out due to weather in Texas. For coach Roy Sommer and the Barracuda their looking to return to action.

#2 Marko, how much does a 13 day lay off period mean to the Barracuda could it beneficial or could it mean their timing could be off once they get back on the ice tonight.

#3 The San Jose Sharks forward Maxime Letunov  and goaltender Josef Korenar joined the Barracuda on Feb 21st. How do you see Letunov coming back from the parent club helping on offense and will Korenar get some starts soon enough.

#4 Cornavirus has played such a huge role in the Barracuda schedule outside of the poor weather conditions they went through in Texas. It canceled three games in Tucson and Thu Feb 25th’s game was canceled when San Jose Shark Tomas Hertl had Covid-19 protocol issues.

#5 The Barracuda open up the first of two games against the Ontario Reign tonight in San Jose. The Barracuda are 2-3 in their two wins showed they have the fight and can score at key opportunities would you say those are some of the things they’ve worked on during morning skates?

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic Fri Feb 27, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

SJ Barracuda report: San Jose-Bakersfield postponed for Thursday night due to Covid-19

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San Jose Barracuda left winger Jayden Halbgewachs battles for the puck in front of the Bakersfield Condors net in a previous meeting with Bakersfield. The game between the two teams on Thu Feb 25, 2021 has been postponed due to the San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl testing positive for Coronavirus. (sjbarracuda.com file photo)

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE-Due to the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights NHL game that was scheduled at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Feb 25th that was postponed due the San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl having tested positive for Covid 19  been the game between the Bakersfield Condors and San Jose Barracuda has been also postponed for Thursday night as the Condors and Barracuda were scheduled to play at Solar 4America Ice in San Jose.

Despite both teams playing and doing morning skates in separate facilities the AHL and the San Jose Barracuda were on the side of caution and decided to postpone Thursday night’s game.

This will be the Barracuda’s fifth game postponement in a row. The Barracuda had one game in Texas postponed due to freezing weather conditions in the Cedar Park area on Sun Feb 14th. They then flew to Tucson and had their games  and for Fri 19th, Sat 20, and Sun 21st postponed due to Covid 19 issues from the Tucson Roadrunners side. Thu Feb 25th’s cancelation is due to a San Jose Sharks player testing positive for the virus. That player is unnmamed.

The Barracuda are scheduled to host the Ontario Reign on Sat Feb 27th the first of a two game series concluding Sun 28th in San Jose. If they play it it will be the Barracudas first taste of action since Sat Feb 13th when they played the Texas Stars in the second of a intended three game series.

Marko Ukalovic does the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda see four out of six games scratched; first game in over a week Thursday vs. Bakersfield

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The last time the San Jose Barracuda played a game was Sat Feb 13th at Cendar Park Texas against the Texas Stars before having four straight road games postponed (sjbarracuda.com photo)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 It was a road trip that San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer and the club was looking forward to the Barracuda opened the trip back on Fri Feb 12 in Cedar Park Texas against the Texas Stars and split what was supposed to be a three game series.

#2 Marko taking a look at the first game the Barracuda took game one 5-2 on Fri Feb 12 in what looked like a good start to the trip they lost game two the following day Sat Feb 13, 5-3.

#3 After those first two games on the road things started to unravel after Sat 13th when Cedar Park was hit with vicious freezing weather, snow and temps as low as 19 degrees. The third game was postponed on Tue 16th due to weather. The game of hockey has been play outdoors in temps lower than 19 for decades but local residents began suffering when the power went out, pipes were bursting and temps not seen in Texas in years.

#4 The Barracuda got a flight out of Texas on Thursday night after their Thursday night game was canceled because they couldn’t get to Tucson for their three game series with the Roadrunners due to the weather in Texas. Once they got out of Texas and into Tucson their three game series was canceled because of Covid-19 protocol issues in the Roadrunners organization.

#5 The Barracuda have not played in over seven days and are scheduled to host the Bakerfield Condors on Thu Feb 25th a 6pm puck drop at SAP Center.

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic Sat Feb 20, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Barracuda-Roadrunners series postponed due to Covid-19 protocols

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The entire three game series between San Jose Barracuda and Tucson Roadrunners in Tucson has been postponed due to Covid-19 protocols. They were supposed to open the series on Fri Feb 19, 2021 (sjbarracuda.com file photo) 

by Marko Ukalovic

TUCSON, Ariz—The AHL announced on Thursday that due to to league Covid-19 protocols affecting the Tuscon Roadrunners, the league postponed the three games scheduled between the Roadrunners and the San Jose Barracuda.

Both teams were scheduled to play each other on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.

No makeup dates have yet to be announced.

The next scheduled game for San Jose is next Thursday 2/26 when the ‘Cuda host the Bakersfield Condors at SolarAmerica Ice at San Jose at 6:00pm.

Stars edge Barracuda 5-3, even series 1-1

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The Texas Stars evened its three-game series with a 5-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at HEB Center At Cedar Park.

Texas scored the eventual game-winning goal when Cole Schneider fired a one-timer that deflected off the pad of ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey at the 7:44 mark of the third period. Josh Melnick, who set up the Stars captain, received the primary assist.

Texas (3-2-0) drew first blood in a wild first period that featured five goals. Colin Markison sent a pass over to Joseph Cecconi up at the right half wall. Cecconi sent a wrist shot that beat ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey on the short side for his first goal of the season at the 5:42 mark.

San Jose (1-2-1) scored the equalizer just over two minutes later. Anti Suomela fed a pass up to Jake McGrew to start an odd-man rush for the ‘Cuda. McGrew skated in from the right side and fired a wrist shot top-shelf past Stars goalie Tomas Sholl for his first career AHL goal at the 7:48 mark.

Ben Gleason gave the Stars back the lead with his first goal of the season at the 15:21 mark when a pass from Nikita Scherbak glanced off Gleason’s skate that Harvey had no chance at.

The Barracuda answered back immediately just 29 seconds later when Brinson Pasichnuk sent a pass into the middle of the faceoff circles where Joachim Blichfeld collected the puck, turned around and lasered a wrist shot past Sholl for his second goal of the season.

The Stars once again had a one goal lead after a turnover by Chaz Reddekopp led to Riley Damiani sending a cross ice pass to Anthony Louis who blasted a one-timer past Harvey his second goal at the 19:21 mark of the opening frame.

San Jose came back with the equalizer early in the middle frame when Ryan Merkley found Blichfeld and he backhanded the puck past Sholl for his second goal of the evening at the 5:10 mark.

It was Blichfeld’s third multi-point game in the four games played.

Despite outshooting the Stars 13-7 in the third period, the ‘Cuda weren’t able to score the equalizer for a fourth time.

Thomas Harley scored an empty-netter, his first goal of this AHL career, with 22 seconds left to ice the game for Texas.

Sholl made 26 saves on 29 shots to earn the victory. Harvey made 30 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort.

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

UP NEXT: The Barracuda finish off its three-game series with the Stars on Tuesday 2/16 at 5:00 pm at HEB Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda and Stars face off for game two tonight in Texas

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Game one post game stats from Fri Feb 12, 2021 results between the San Jose Barracuda and Texas Stars at H-E-B Center (image from sjbarracuda.com)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko how important is it to start a three game series on the road against the the Texas Stars with a 5-2 win?

#2 The Barracuda got five goals from five different skaters with Ozzy Wiesblatt and Kyle Topping each scoring their first AHL goals.

#3 The Barracuda had Sam Harvey in net who allowed two Texas goals and stopped 29 shots in his first win of his pro career.

#4 Wiesblatt’s goal was the fifth Barracuda goal of the night and his first in his pro career how important is that to start the first road trip of the season and getting your first career goal on the same night?

#5 The Barracuda and Stars tangle again on Saturday night at H-E-B Center for the second game in a row between both these teams tonight for a 5:00pm face off.  Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer started Harvey in goal tonight.

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic Sat Feb 13, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Barracuda shoot down Stars with first win of the season 5-2

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The San Jose Barracuda got some relief picking up their first win of the 2021 AHL season with a win over the Texas Stars at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Fri Feb 12, 2021 (sjbarracuda.com photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

CEDAR PARK, Texas—The San Jose Barracuda jumped out to a 2-0 lead and then put the game way with two goals in the third period to beat the Texas Stars 5-2 on Friday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose picked up its first win of the season with five different goal scorers in a balanced offensive attack. Texas

Jake McGrew centered a pass from behind the net to a crashing Kyle Topping who quickly snapped a wrist shot top-shelf into the left corner of the net beating Stars goalie Colton Point for his first goal of the season at the 12:48 mark. Nick DeSimone received the secondary assist.

San Jose (1-1-1) doubled its lead at the 13:30 mark when Joel Kellman’s shot was blocked out in front of the crease. Jeffery Viel, who was camped out in front, found the loose puck and beat Point with a wrist shot falling down for his first goal of the season. Joachim Blichfeld received the secondary assist.

Texas (2-2-0) cut the lead in half with just five seconds left in the first period. Adam Mascherin scored his first goal of the season as he beat ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey with a wrist shot. Riley Damiani and Cole Schneider were credited with assists.

The Stars scored the equalizer on the power play early in the second period. Schneider scored his first goal of the season at the 2:01 mark. Nikita Scherbak and Thomas Harley assisted on the goal.

San Jose regained the lead with a power play goal of their own at the 12:31 mark of the middle frame. Jayden Halbgewachs scored his first goal of the season. Antti Suomela and Alex True were credited with assists.

The Barracuda received an insurance goal in the third period when Robbie Russo fired a slap shot from the right point past Point for his first goal of the season at the 8:16 mark. Kellman and Blichfeld recorded assists on the fifth year pro’s goal.

Ozzie Wiseblatt, the 31st pick in last year’s NHL draft by the Sharks, put the icing on the cake for the ‘Cuda late in the final frame. True sent a cross ice pass over Wiseblatt, who was setup all alone on the left side of the net, and buried a one-timer past Point for his first professional goal at the 15:21 mark.

Harvey, in his AHL debut, made 29 saves on 31 shots to earn his first win of his AHL career. Point stopped 27 of the 32 shots in the losing effort.

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

Chaz Reddekopp, who made his AHL debut, delivered a huge hit on Mascherin in the third period that resulted in a charging penalty.

The Three Stars of the night were: 1) Harvey 2) Kellman 3) Schneider

UP NEXT: San Jose and Texas battle it again on Saturday 2/13 at 5:00pm at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park