Category: AHL

Roadrunners take down Barracuda 5-3, sweep two game series in Tucson

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San Jose Barracuda didn’t have much luck in Tucson losing both games on the road trip. The Barracuda lost the second game on Mon Feb 8, 2021 at the Tucson Convention Center (sjbarracuda.com image)

by Marko Ukalovic

TUCSON, Ariz—The Tucson Roadrunners scored two goals in the second period en route to a 5-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Monday evening at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose received its first regulation loss after losing in overtime to Tucson the day before and earned one point in the two game series.

The Barracuda (0-1-1) broke the seal late in the first period when John Leonard set up Joachim Blichfeld who rifled home a wrist shot past Roadrunners goaltender Ivan Prosvetov for a 1-0 lead. Blichfeld’s first goal of the season came at the 14:14 mark.

Tucson (2-0-0) came back with the equalizer just under 90 seconds later when some hesitation by ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichulk to play the puck near the trapezoid cost his team. Michael Carcone ended up with the puck and centered a pass out to Jan Jenik who tapped home the puck into an empty net at the 15:19 mark.

A San Jose turnover led to the first lead for Tucson. Kevin Roy raced down the left side and fired a puck on net that Melnichuk stopped but Lane Pederson came crashing in and cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the season at the 16:44 mark.

Alxander True scored the first of his two goals late in the opening frame. A shot from the point by Brinson Pasichnuk was redirected past Prosvetov by True at the 16:57 mark.

The Roadrunners didn’t waste anytime regaining the lead in the second period. Jenik led and two-on-one break and found Carcone, who snapped home a wrist shot for his first goal of the season at the 1:43 mark.

Tucson gained a two-goal advantage late in the middle frame when they scored its first power play goal of the season at the 17:33 mark. Michael Bunting tipped home a point shot from Pederson.

San Jose cut the lead to a one-goal game with a power play goal of its own. Anti Suomela centered a backhand pass in front of the crease were True was camped out in front of and tipped home the puck past Provetov for his second goal of the evening at the 4:24 mark of the third period.

The Roadrunners closed out the scoring with an insurance goal from Roy. Bunting centered a pass from behind the net and Roy wristed a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 17:16 mark.

Prosvetov (2-0) finished with 33 saves on 36 shots to earn the victory. Melnichuk stopped 28 of the 33 shots he faced in the losing effort.

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

Barracuda forward Zach Gallant made his AHL debut.

Pederson finished with a three-point night (1G,2A).

San Jose Barracuda game wrap: Barracuda lose a tough one in overtime opener

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The score on the image show the San Jose Barracuda lost by a goal on Sunday night at the Tucson Convention Center to the Tucson Roadrunners 2-1 in the season opener (sjbarracuda.com image)

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda lost their season opener to the Tucson Roadrunners at the Tucson Convention Center on Sunday 2-1 in overtime. The Barracuda’s John Leonard scored San Jose’s only goal of the day an unassisted goal at 6:24 in the third period.

Barracuda goaltender Alexi Melnichuk stopped 23 shots. For Melnichuk a tough effort stopping every shot except one and the Barracuda finished the game on a power kill going three on three.

Tucson’s Cam Dineen scored the game winner in overtime at 1:17. For the Barracuda they had not played a regular season game in 334 days dating back on March 10, 2020. The Barracuda had eight players who made their AHL debuts which included San Jose Sharks draftees Ozzy Wiesblatt and Tristen Robbins.

The Barracuda and Roadrunners match up again for game two of the series Monday night at 7:00pm. The Barracuda will serve as the home team in Tucson.

 

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda finally open up in San Jose; Can Cuda withstand 3 players leaving for Sharks

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The Tucson Barracuda and San Jose Barracuda who canceled their pre season game on Friday will face off in San Jose SAP Center on Sun Feb 7, 2021 for the Barracuda’s first home opener (sjbarracuda.com photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Sharks the San Jose Barracuda parent club has recalled three Barracuda players, first forwards to come up to the Sharks Rudolf Balcers, Maxim Letunov, and defenceman Fredrik Claesson on Thursday.  Will their departure put a hole in the Barracuda line up?

#2 The Barracuda schedule has been switched around the Barracuda were supposed to play their last pre season game on Fri Feb 5th against the Tucson Roadrunners at SAP Center but that game was postponed. The next game Sat 6th was moved to Sun Feb 7th for an 11am face off and will be the home opener and Mon 8th will conclude the brief two game series with Tucson for a 6:00pm face off.

#3 The Barracuda stated that these changes were made out of an abundance of caution due to a player coming up positive for Covid-19 last Sat Jan 30th in Las Vegas against the Henderson Silver Knights. In the third period officials were notified of the positive test and stopped the game and had both teams return to the dressing rooms and the game was postponed per AHL Covid-19 protocols.

#4 The Barracuda (2-3) lost their last game 7-3 to the Silver Knights in Las Vegas Fri Jan 29th at the Orleans Arena. One thing the Barracuda had time to work on during these days of postponed games was trying to work on avoiding the five goal second period they had endured in that last game.

#5 Long rest ready to get back to work, the Barracuda had Friday off and will have their home opener Sunday this morning for their first home opener. For the Barracuda they have to be happy to be back in San Jose.

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic Sat Feb 6, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

Barracuda-Silver Knights game cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The second game of the two game series between the San Jose Barracuda and the Henderson Golden Nights was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols during the second intermission on Saturday evening at Orleans Arena.

As reported by San Jose Mercury News reporter Curtis Pashelka, both teams came out of their locker rooms for the start of the third period, but were soon sent back. The Barracuda were scheduled to stay overnight in Las Vegas.

The Silver Knights announced the cancellation was not because of a positive COVID test result from a Henderson player or staff member.

On Friday, the NHL announced it was postponing the San Jose Sharks-Vegas Golden Knights games in Glendale, Ariz. on Monday and Wednesday because four members of the Golden Knights, including three coaches, were being isolated in collection with the league’s COVID protocols. Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is among the list of NHL players who are unavailable to play or practice.

The Golden Knights’ practice facility has also been closed until further notice.

A spokesman for the Sharks, the Barracuda’s parent club, said the team would not make any additional comment Saturday.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda conclude its pre-season schedule traveling to Tucson to take on the Roadrunners on Monday, February 1 at 4:00 pm PT at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda look to shut off Knights scoring in tonight’s game in Vegas

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Orleans Arena in Las Vegas site of tonight’s San Jose Barracuda and Henderson Silver Knights second game (@JesseGranger photo) Jesse Granger is a staff writer for the Athletic and covers the Knights

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The Henderson Silver Knights wasted no time scoring five goals in the second period and the Barracuda were whipped 7-3 at Orleans Arena in Vegas for game one of this two game series.

#2 Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer had to be concerned in that second period about shutting the Silver Knights offense but they found they’re way to the net with no problem.

#3 Sommer had to be concerned about goaltender  Zachary Sawchenko who stopped 25 shots but allowed six goals. Was this a game where Sawchenko was just off or he just wasn’t getting enough protection up front?

#4 Marko the other concern that the Barracuda had was the Silver Knights took just 11 shots to convert the six goals in that short of time the defense had to try and reconfigure the Knights offense.

#5 It’s another try again tonight for the Barracuda who face off at 7:oopm at Orleans. In pre season coach Sommer has the opportunity to take a look at a lot of talent how do you see tonight’s match up?

#6 In other AHL news Marko, the Stockton Heat will now play all of it’s home games in Calgary since they are the Flames minor league affiliate and the Heat want to avoid all Covid-19 border crossing protocols.

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

Silver Knights dominate Barracuda in 7-3 victory

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One of the few shots that the San Jose Barracuda threw at the Henderson Silver Knights net as the Barracuda lost by four goals at the Orleans Arena in Paradise NV on Fri Jan 29, 2021. It was the first of two games between the two teams. (@barracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

PARADISE, NV—The Henderson Silver Knights scored five goals in the second period en route to a 7-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at Orleans Arena.

It was the first pre-season game for the AHL team of the Vegas Golden Nights.

Both teams traded goals in the first period and were tied 1-1 at the end of the opening 20 minutes. Reid Duke scored the first ever franchise goal for the Silver Knights.

San Jose got into penalty trouble in the second period that opened the floodgates for Henderson. Five straight goals by Dylan Sikura, Ben Jones, Zach Hayes, Lucas Elvenes and Danny O’Regan put the game away for the Silver Knights.

The Barracuda scored twice in the third period to cut the lead in half but would get no closer than that. Henderson completed the scoring with a goal at the 19:50 mark to seal the deal.

UP NEXT: The same two teams go right back at it on Saturday 1/30 at 5:00pm at Orleans Arena.

Sharks-Golden Knights Games Postponed Due to COVID Protocol

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The Vegas Golden Knights Max Pacioretty scored his third goal against the St Louis Blues in the third period on Tue Jan 26, 2021 in Las Vegas. The Knights were without their head coach and assistant coaches due to Covid 19 protocols during this game (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were scheduled to play their first (home away from) home games at Gila Arena in Glendale, Arizona next week. The games have been postponed because their opponent, the Vegas Golden Knights, are unable to play due to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols. Four members of the team, including a player and three coaches, are in isolation.

Last Tuesday, the Golden Knights played the St. Louis Blues without their regular coaching staff behind the bench, as they were already in isolation. Instead, the team was coached by General Manager Kelly McCrimmon. The assistant coaching staff was replaced by their AHL affiliate’s coaches: Manny Viveiros, Joel Ward and Jamie Heward. Two days later, the team’s games started being rescheduled.

Since the season started, nine NHL games have been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 protocols. The Dallas Stars and the Carolina Hurricanes preceded the Golden Knights in the schedule shuffling.

At this time, the Sharks-Golden Knights games are expected to take place in the SAP Center in San Jose, some time after the Sharks’ scheduled return on February 13. The next Sharks game on the schedule is on February 5 against the Ducks in Anaheim at 7:00 PM PT.

DeSimone’s late heroics lift Barracuda to 4-3 victory over Roadrunners

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

TUCSON, Ariz. — Nick DeSimone scored the game-winning goal with 24 seconds left in the third period as the San Jose Barracuda rallied back from a two-goal deficit to beat the Tucson Roadrunners 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

In the first period, Kevin Hancock opened up the scoring at 6:17 mark as Ryan McGregor and former Bakersfield Condor’ Cameron Hebig picked up the assists. Less than a minute later, Blake Speers doubled Tucson’s lead to 2-0.

The Barracuda were outshot 13-to-12 in the opening 20 minutes.

In the middle frame, sophomore forward Joachim Blichfeld found paydirt at 11:28, cutting Tucson’s lead in half.

The Barracuda outshot Tucson 15-7 in the second for a two period total of 27-20.

In the third period, rookie forward Brandon Coe would even the score with his first professional goal at 3:53 as Karlis Cukste picked up the only assist. Blichfeld scored his second of the game at 15:02, netting his team-leading third goal of the preseason, giving the Barracuda a 3-2 lead.

With 1:24 left to go, Lane Pederson leveled the score at 3-3 on the power-play. But exactly one minute later, DeSimone’s late goal magic gave the Barracuda its lead back, and the eventual 4-3 win.

Josef Korenar (1-1-0-1) made 22 saves on 25 shots to collect his first victory of exhibition play. Ivan Prosvetov suffered the loss, allowing four goals on 36 shots.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda are back in action on Friday, 1/29 in Las Vegas, as they square off with the newest member of the AHL, the Henderson Silver Knights, at 7 pm PT.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Reign get OT shootout victory 3-2 against Barracuda Friday

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The San Jose Barracuda forward Jayden Halbgewachs (89) takes the puck up ice as he’s pursued by the Ontario Reign’s forward Nick Halloran (32) on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo CA (photo from sjbarracuda.com)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, the Barracuda lost a razor edge close game in Ontario on Friday night 3-2 in a overtime shootout. The Barracuda came out at 15 seconds at the start of the game and getting on scoreboard.

#2 Marko, Talk about Kurtis Gabriel over two games he scored 36 seconds into Thursday night’s game against San Diego and Friday night against Ontario 15 seconds if the two thoughts here is his two quick goals out of opportunity or out of design by Barracuda head coaches Roy Sommer.

#3 With the score tied at 1-1 the Reign’s Blaine Byron scored his first goal of the season after intercepting a pass in the neutral zone and took the puck to the slot and shot the puck in the attacking zone past the Barracuda’s goalie Josef Korenar at 0:51 of the second period.

#4 The Barracuda’s Ryan Merkley passed to Jayden Halbgewachs who was at the door step of the goal and scored to tie the game up at 6:24 2-2.

#5 The pre season continues as the Barracuda will face the Tucson Roadrunners at Tucson Convention Center on Wed Jan 27th a 4:00pm face off. Marko the Roadrunners have always given the Barracuda headaches how do you expect the outcome of a game like this?

Join Marko Saturday nights for a look at the SJ Barracuda podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Reign edge Barracuda in 3-2 shootout win

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Final score image from @ontarioreign 

by Marko Ukalovic

EL SEGUNDO, Calif—The Ontario Reign scored on all three shootout attempts to upend the San Jose Barracuda on Friday afternoon at the Toyota Sports Performance Center.

Kurtis Gabriel didn’t wait long to score is second goal of the pre-season. It took only 15 ticks into the game for him to get San Jose on the board. Gabriel redirected a Zach Gallant shot from atop the circle past Reign goaltender Jean-Francois Berube.

The Reign would manage to even the score on the power-play as 2020 second overall pick Quinton Byfield took advantage of a fortuitous bounce on a partially blocked shot below the right circle, and slid it into the open net for his second goal of the season at the at the13:35, mark..

The Barracuda outshot Ontario 11-7 in the opening 20 minutes.

In the second, with 51 seconds remaining in the frame, Ontario took its first lead as Blaine Byron intercepted a neutral-zone pass, cut to the slot as he entered the attacking zone, and beat ‘Cuda goalie Josef Korenar with a quick snipe for his first goal of the pre-season. 

Antti Suomela had a chance earlier in the period on a two-on-one rush but his shot from the far circle was turned aside by Berube. After two periods, the shots read 19 for each team.

In the third at 6:24, Ryan Merkley found Jayden Halbgewachs on the doorstep, for the equalizer for his second goal of the pre-season.

With under five minutes to play, the Barracuda nearly regained their lead on a similar play, this time Thomas Gregoire set up Gallant for a glorious close-range opportunity, but it wouldn’t go and the score would remain level.

Halfway through the three-on-three overtime, Ontario rushed up the ice on a two-on-one but Korenar came up large with a game-saving stop. Neither team would generate much in the way of offense in the remaining two and a half minutes.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda are back in preseason action on Wednesday 1/27 at 4:00 p.m. as they take on the Tucson Roadrunners at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.