Barracuda flip script on IceHogs beating them 7-2

Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson. Jacob Peterson skates with the puck as Antti Saarella pursues (photo taken on 10/13/23).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda bounced back against the IceHogs coming out on top with a convincing victory 7-2.

Making his professional debut for the Barracuda was goaltender Georgi Romanov while the IceHogs had Jaxson Stauber in between the pipes.

Scoring in this one took a little bit to get going but it would come from a newcomer as Ethan Cardwell scored his first career AHL goal. The goal came 17:42 in as Cole Cassels got the lone assist.

That was all the scoring in the first as the shots finished 11-9 in favor of Rockford.

Th second ended up being the opposite as just 1:48 in Joey Anderson scored unassisted tying the game up.

Less than three minutes later on the power play Brett Seney suddenly shot the IceHogs ahead with assists going to Anderson and Ethan Del Mastro.

San Jose would get a quick response from Justin Bailey who scored his first goal in a Barracuda uniform. Cassels once again got the lone assist.

The Barracuda continued to fight back as Tanner Kaspick gave them the lead with Anthony Vincent and Adam Raska getting the assists.

Ryan Carpenter would extend the lead to 4-2 with a goal just two second before the period was to come to an end. Valtteri Pulli and Bailey got the assists.

At the end of the second the shots favored San Jose 33-16.

This time in the third the Barracuda got on the board first as Cassels continued his solid night scoring shorthanded just 2:33 in.

Later in the period both Oskar Lindblom and Ryan Carpenter tacked on the lead making it 7-2.

That’s where the score stayed at as the Barracuda won outshooting the IceHogs 49-28.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Ryan Carpenter 2nd: Justin Bailey 3rd: Georgi Romanov

The Barracuda won’t play again until Friday when they take on the Silver Knights on the road at 7p.m.

Barracuda get dominated in season opener against IceHogs 7-2

Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson. Ethan Del Mastro skates with the puck as Ryan Carpenter pursues (taken on 10/13/23.)

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda opened up their season at home against Rockford and let down the home fans losing 7-2.

Getting the start for San Jose was Magnus Chrona while Rockford had Drew Commesso in between the pipes.

The first period started tight as neither team was able to get many chances early.

The ice was broken at 9:13 by Rockford one the power play as Anders Bjork found himself wide open backdoor and tapped one home. The goal was assisted by Joey Anderson and David Gust.

With the momentum on their side the IceHogs pushed for another one and scored off the rush as Mike Hardman was the recipient of a backdoor feed. Assists were credited to Anderson and Bjork.

The Barracuda were able to end the period on a positive note though as Brandon Coe scored the first goal of the regular season. Ethan Cardwell and Jacob Peterson got the assists.

At the end of the first the shots favored San Jose 11-10.

For San Jose the second period needed to be a bounce back frame but it did not get off to a great start. As 3:12 into the period Ozzy Wiesblatt got a match penalty for a check to the head. That meant Rockford would have a five minute power play.

On the power play the IceHogs continued to be effective as first it was Michal Telpy who slapped one home on a broken play. Isaak Phillips and Mike Hardman got the assists. They weren’t done there as David Gust was allowed to walk right into the slot and deke out Chrona making it 4-1. This time Anderson and Brett Seney got the assists.

The Barracuda were given a golden oppurtunity to respond as Cole Cassels was tripped from behind on a breakaway meaning a penalty shot. On the penalty shot Cassels was unable to convert as the IceHogs still had a three goal lead.

At the end of the second the shots still favored San Jose at 29-23.

In the final frame things didn’t get much better as Gust scored his second of the game making it 5-1. Less than three minutes after that Ryder Rolston tacked on to the lead with a goal of his own.

With the score now 6-1 the Barracuda still pulled their goalie to try and get back into it but Bryce Kindopp put the dagger in as he scored.

The IceHogs took a couple of penalties late which resulted in a goal from Shakir Mukhamadulin assisted by Danil Gushchin and Ryan Carpenter.

That goal ended up being the last of the game as it ended 7-2 with Rockford convincingly on top.

Rockford was deadly on the power play in this one going 3/5 while San Jose went 1/4.

The three stars of the game were 1st: David Gust 2nd: Brandon Coe 3rd: Anders Bjork

San Jose will look to bounce back at home tomorrow against the IceHogs this time at 2. p.m.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda sweep Condors in Bakersfield to complete pre season; Opening night Friday vs. Rockford in SJ

San Jose Barracuda completed a two game sweep of the Bakersfield Condors on Sat Oct 7, 2023 in AHL pre season action in Bakersfield. (@sjbarracuda photo)

#1 The San Jose Barracuda scored five times on the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday night to conlude their pre season schedule to pick up a 5-2 win at Tech CU Arena in San Jose.

#2 Talk about Danil Gushchin he scored a first period goal to tie up the game against Bakersfield with 13 seconds into the power play to make it 1-1.

#3 The Barracuda Justin Bailey scored at 9:40 to retie the game up at 2-2. That coming just a minute after the Condors had take a 2-1 lead.

#4 In the second period the Barracuda got a goal from Tristen Robins at 6:19 as San Jose took a 3-2 lead and kept the lead for the rest of the game.

#5 The Barracuda open the season with the Rockford Icehogs on Fri Oct 13th at Tech CU in San Jose. From the early indication from pre season head coach John McCarthy has his team rolling and playing some aggressive hockey.

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

Barracuda end preseason on a high note beating Condors 5-2

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda remained undefeated beating the Condors at home by a final of 5-2.

Getting the start in goal was Eetu Makiniemi while the Condors had Tyler Parks in between the pipes.

This one did not get off to a great start for the Barracuda as just less than a minute in Tyler Tullio scored for Bakersfield.

A power play for San Jose ended up doing the trick tying this one back up as Danil Gushchin scored.

The first period continued to be back-and-forth as the Condors responded with a goal from Matthew Wedman.

Once again though the Cuda got a response this time from Justin Bailey who tied the game back up at 2-2.

At the end of a high-flying second, the shots favored San Jose 13-11.

Rather than giving up an early one in the second San Jose instead potted the first goal as Tristen Robins put the puck in the net.

The Barracuda tacked on to their lead with another goal in the second this time from Leon Gawanke.

Looking to try and come back Bakersfield would pull their goalie late in the third down 4-2. Instead of tying the game up though they gave up an empty netter as Nathan Todd sealed the deal at 18:56.

Makiniemi had a stellar night making 35 saves while Parks made 22 saves in the loss.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Tristen Robins 2nd: Brandon Coe 3rd: Leon Gawanke

The Barracuda will open their season on Friday, October 13 against the Rockford IceHogs at home.

Barracuda upend Condors 3-2 in OT in preseason opener

San Jose Barracuda forward Adam Raska looks on with his teammates during the game against the Bakersfield Condors at Mechanics Bank Arena on Friday OCT 6, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

BAKERSFIELD, CA – The San Jose Barracuda battled it out on Friday night at the Mechanics Bank Arena, as they defeated the Bakersfield Condors 3-2 in overtime.  

The first period saw the Barracuda pick up the first goal of the game with Brandon Coe tipping in a Shakir Mukhamadullin shot at the 2:57 mark. When both teams were 4-on-4, Adam Raška showed a display of individual effort to pick up an unassisted goal 12:56 into the period. San Jose finished the period leading 2-0. 

In the second period, Xavier Bourgault put the Condors on the board at 10:12 of the middle frame. Following the Bakersfield goal, San Jose completed a planned goalie swap with Georgi Romanov taking over for Magnus Chrona in net. 

At the 16:11 of the third period, Bourgault picked up his second of the night to tie the game and neither team would be able to find the regulation winner. 

With 1:15 remaining in overtime, 2022-23 Sharks prospect of the year Ethan Cardwell scored the game winner for his unofficial first goal in the American Hockey League 

Tyler Parks (BAK) finished the night with 23 saves on 26 Barracuda shots while Chrona went 22/23 and Romanov stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced. 

The Barracuda ended the night 0-for-4 on the power play. The Condors went 1-for-5 on the man advantage. 

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda to face Bakersfield Friday for pre season and Saturday for opener

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) during the third period at SAP Center on Thu Oct 28, 2023. Eklund is back from his time playing in Sweden during the summer. Eklund has been suited up for all the Sharks pre season games and a big help for the San Jose Barracuda last season. (AP file photo)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda will play 72 games for the 2023-24 season and will play 36 of those at home. How much of a home ice advantage do you see the Barracuda having this season?

#2 Marko some of the Barracuda participated in some of the San Jose Sharks pre season action. For the Sharks Henry Thrun got to skate with the big club he scored two goals in his first 20 minutes during the Sharks first pre season game on Sun Sep 24 vs. the Vegas Golden Knights.

#3 Nathan Todd who was with the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida Panthers parent club) last season. Todd has played eight games for the Sharks last season, will most likely play most of this season with the Barracuda.

#4 Daniel Gushchin had a great 2022-23 season with 22 goals for San Jose. Gushchin as assisted Thrun on his second goal against the Knights. Gushchin had a remarkable rookie year with 22 goals last season.

#5 Last week Tuesday the Sharks William Eklund has 19:26 leading all forwards in ice time, Eklund and Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored in the loss to the Anaheim Ducks in San Jose’s second exhibition game. Shakir Mukhamadullin got an assist on Eklund’s second goal.

Join Marko for all the latest on SJ Barracuda hockey the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes drop game late against Dallas 1-1

Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes. Jeremy Ebobisse celebrates a goal.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Earthquakes played a close on match on their home turf against Dallas and ended up fighting to a tie 1-1.

In goal for San Jose was Daniel de Sousa Brito while for Dallas in between the pipes was Jimmy Maurer.

The match saw an early injury to Dallas as Tsiki Ntsabeleng was hurt on a play just ten minutes in so Sam Junqua came in to replace him.

A couple minutes after the injury delay Miguel Traco had a couple great looks one from outside of the box and then another one from inside. Both attempts did miss but Traco looked good early in the match.

At the 25th minute of the match Jackson Yueill was given a yellow card for a bad foul and Dallas began to push. Jesús Ferreira got two great opportunities right after the card one that Brito had to make a save on.

Dallas right before the end of the first half suffered another injury as this time there was a delay for Marco Farfan thankfully though this time Farfan was able to stay in.

The first half came to an end with both team still at a stalemate of 0-0.

Early on in the second half Paul Marie was given a yellow card for a bad foul bringing the teams total up to two.

Right after the foul Farfan feeling better got a shot on goal from the left side of the six yard box that was once again saved by Brito.

Then there was another delay in the match due to injury as this time Marie went down and actually went down twice within a couple minute span. After the second time Marie was subbed out for Tommy Thompson.

In between the delays Jeremy Ebobisse was able to get a shot on goal that was saved by Maurer.

At the 69th minute mark of the match Farfan picked up the first yellow card for Dallas for a bad foul.

San Jose was then given a great opportunity on a free kick to the right of the box that Cristian Espinoza took. On the center the ball bounced around and Benjamin Kikanović got a head on the ball and it that just barely squeaked in.

It wasn’t the prettiest goal but the Earthquakes were up 1-0 as Tanner Beason picked up the assist on the goal.

Towards the end of the match there were more injury delays as both Carlos Gruezo and Brito went down but stayed in the match. All of the delays did mean though that Dallas would have time on their side with the refs adding ten minutes of stoppage time.

Before stoppage time two yellow cards were given out one to San Jose as Judson Silva Tavares was given one as well as Alan Velasco for Dallas.

Heading into stoppage time Dallas had momentum and they were able to capitalize on it. They tied it on a beautiful pass into the box by Velasco that Nkosi Tafari headed into the top of the net tying the game at the fourth minute of stoppage time.

At the end of the match Tavares was given another yellow card for another bad foul and thus was ejected from the match.

With that being the final big play of the match San Jose had to settle for a 1-1 tie against Dallas at home.

San Jose’s next game will be against Seattle on the road this upcoming Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda finish regular season in Tucson

The Colorado Eagles defenceman Mitchell Vande Sompel (14) battles with San Jose Barracuda forward Luke Johnson (76) had himself a game on Sat Apr 8, 2023 against the San Jose Barracuda scoring twice and picking up two more points in the third period (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, how easy was it for the Colorado Eagles (38-22-7-3) in their 4-0 win over the San Jose Barracuda (29-34-2-5) the Eagles scored the first goal on a Mitchell Vande Sompel (5) that approach was not met with not much resistance and put the Eagles on the scoreboard 1-0 Saturday.

#2 Vande Sompel scored his second goal of the game on a back hand move in the second period going up 2-0 and the Barrcuda could feel the pressure going into the third period.

#3 The Eagles had the lead but the Barracuda were outshooting the Eagles 19-6 with two power plays after two periods.

#4 Vande Sompel finished with two points for the second consecutive game. The Barracuda failed to score and end the shutout but allowed two empty net goals.

#5 The Barracuda close out the regular season in Tempe against the Tucson Roadrunners this Friday and Saturday for a two game set both 7:00pm face offs.

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

Barracuda’s last home game of the season ends in shutout loss against Colorado 4-0

Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson. Kyle Criscuolo fights off a player on Colorado.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The final home game for the San Jose Barracuda did not go to plan against Colorado Eagles ending in a shutout as the Eagles swooped in with a 4-0 victory.

Aaron Dell got his second start in a row against Colorado while Justus Annunen started for the Eagles.

The first period saw the Eagles control most of the play with two penalties being called one against each team.

Colorado’s pressure did get rewarded as Mitchell Vande Sompel scored his fourth goal of the season making it a 1-0 game.

A little after the goal some punches were thrown as Will Riedell and Alex Beaucage dropped the gloves.

At the end of the first the shots favored Colorado at 14-6.

In the second period early on San Jose was given a power play opportunity as Alex Galchenyuk was called for delay of game. However the power play unit could not get setup and came up empty handed once again.

Less than five minutes after the power play a familiar face got another goal as Sompel scored his second of the game making it 2-0.

Throughout the period the Barracuda got multiple high quality chances but could just not convert as they left the middle frame empty handed.

At the end of the second the shots favored San Jose 25-20.

Heading into the third San Jose needed a big goal to get back into the game. Unfortunately for the Barracuda though Colorado locked it down in the final period.

With the grey and teal still pushing they pulled Dell to get back into it but Charles Hudon scored on the empty net making it 3-0.

San Jose pulled Dell one more time and Colorado got another goal this time Sampo Ranta finished getting his 11th of the season.

With the buzzer going off not only did the Eagles win but Annunen got a 33 save shutout his first of the season.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Justus Annunen 2nd: Mitchell Vande Sompel 3rd: Sam Malinski

“It’s unfortunate I don’t think it was a four nothing game the way we played we still played pretty well but you know that happens,” Andrew Agozzino said after the game.

San Jose heads into their final two games of the season just three points out of a playoff spot. In order to make it they’ll have to beat the Tucson Roadrunners twice in regulation.

So these final two games of the season for the Barracuda will be do or die.

The first game between the two teams will be on April 14th in Tucson at 7 p.m.

Overtime thriller ends in disappointment for Barracuda against the Eagles 4-3

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Anthony Vincent fights off a forechecker from Colorado.

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda played a very important game for there playoff hopes on home ice and came up just short losing in overtime 4-3.

For San Jose Aaron Dell got the start while Keith Kinkaid made the start for Colorado.

Goal scoring in this game did not take long to get going as just 1:15 into the game Wyatt Aamodt scored breaking the ice early.

At the 8:32 mark Spencer Smallman was called for high sticking and San Jose took advantage as Derrick Pouliot scored tying the game back up at one.

Colorado did respond before the period ended as Mitchell Vande Sompel scored giving them the lead right back.

At the end of the first the shots favored Colorado at 14-11.

In the second period on a misplay by Kinkiad with the puck behind the net Nathan Burke capitalized as he took the puck and slammed it into open net. It was his third goal of the season with Will Riedell and Anthony Vincent getting the assists.

Continuing their momentum Shakir Mukhamadullin scored the first goal of his AHL career by ripping one from the top of the left circle.

The second period saw the shots still favoring Colorado at 26-18.

Looking to tie the game the Eagles came out swinging and connected tying the game at three with Sam Malinski.

That goal ended up being the only one of the period meaning overtime was next.

Overtime did not take long to finish as under a minute in Mikhail Maltsev scored giving Colorado the victory 4-3.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Mikhail Maltsev 2nd: Shakir Mukhamadullin 3rd: Mitchell Vande Sompel

For the Barracuda they’ll get right back to it tomorrow at home against the Eagles this time at 6 p.m. which will be their final home game of the season.