Category: San Jose Barracuda

San Jose Barracuda podcast: Cuda coming off 3 goal win face Eagles in Colorado tonight

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The San Jose Barracuda face off against the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Arena tonight at 6:05 pm PST (file photo by the San Jose Barracuda file)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, the San Jose Barracuda (9-12-1-0) got the bad taste of losing to the Ontario Reign last Friday out of their mouths with a turnaround win against the San Diego Gulls (9-12-1-0) with a three goal win 4-1 Saturday night.

#2 The win on Saturday was third win for the Barracuda in five games, the Gulls are a tough customer especially when they are on home ice they are 7-1 when leading after 40 minutes.

#3 The Barracuda capitalized on some good offense in the third period which help lead to their victory over the Gulls, the win was San Jose’s fifth third period comeback this season.

#4 Evander Kane who scored the goal ahead and what later was to be the gamer and has an assist, and has eight points in his last four games. Has any NHL teams expressed any interest in Kane or do you see him having any chance at getting back with the Sharks?

#5 The Barracuda are back in Colorado tonight at 6:05 pm against the Eagles the last time the Barracuda and Eagles met the Barracuda picked up a huge five goal win 10-5. San Jose picked a few wins of late talk about their confidence going into Colorado tonight.

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

Barracuda’s third period blitz bury Gulls 4-1

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The San Jose Barracuda bounced back from their last game loss to the Ontario Reign Fri Dec 17 and defeated the San Diego Gulls at Pachenga Sports Arena in San Diego on Sat Dec 18, 2021 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO — Fifth time is a charm.

The San Jose Barracuda scored four unanswered goals in the third period as they defeated the San Diego Gulls 4-1 on Saturday night at Pachenga Sports Arena. It was the first victory for San Jose against San Diego this season after losing the first four games of the season series.

San Jose have won three out of its past four games. San Diego have lost three games in a row.

San Diego (9-12-1-0) had a chance to break the seal at the 11:19 mark of the first period when they were awarded a penalty shot when Buddy Robinson was hooked by Artemi Kniazev on a breakaway opportunity. However, ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk stood his ground and made a left blocker save on Robinson’s attempt.

San Jose’s (9-12-1-0) best chance to score in the opening frame was a short-handed chance from Evander Kane with under five minutes remaining. His shot was stopped by Gulls goalie Ollie Eriksson-Ek and cleared away from the crease by Vinni Lettieri.

San Diego drew first blood on the power play late in the second period. Lettieri found Benoit-Oliver Groulx open along the left wing. Groulx snapped home a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season with 2:13 remaining.

The goal triggered hundreds of stuffed animals thrown on to the ice as it was the Gulls annual Teddy Bear Toss night and the officials sent both teams to the locker room as the final 2:13 of the second period played the second intermission.

San Jose evened the score early in the third period on an even strength goal. Patrick Holway found himself at the right place at the right time. A shot from the point by Nick Cicek pinballed off a scrum in front of the net out just beyond the faceoff circles. Holway collected the puck and fired a wrist shot to the short side past Eriksson-Ek for his career AHL goal at the 4:08 mark.

Holway is on a professional try out contract with the ‘Cuda from the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.

Kane gave the ‘Cuda their first lead of the game halfway through the period. He intercepted a centering pass inside the Gulls zone by Groulx and snapped home a shot through the five-hole of Eriksson-Ek for his second goal as a member of the Barracuda at the 9:39 mark.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal of the game on the penalty kill. Artemi Kniazev set up Kane, who sent a shot on net that Eriksson-Ek wasn’t able to control the rebound. Scott Reedy, who was parked out in front of the crease, buried the rebound for his team leading 13th goal of the season at the 12:34 mark.

It was the first point of Kniazev’s AHL career. Kane now has eight points in six games.

The Barracuda scored its fourth short-handed of the season and have all four in their past four games.

San Diego head coach Joel Bouchard decided to take a long shot gamble as he pulled Eriksoon-Ek with 5:40 left in the third period. It backfired as Jacob Megna scored an empty netter from his own zone with 46 second left to seal the deal.

Megna’s second goal of the season happened while San Jose was down six-on-four as they were killing off a hooking penalty taken by Krystof Hrabik.

Melnichuk, who was pulled after the first period last night against Ontario, rebounded with his best performance of the season. He finished stopping 26 of the 27 shots in earning his fifth victory of the season.

Eriksson-Ek made 28 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. San Diego was 1-for-6. The ‘Cuda have given up a power play goal in their 10th straight game.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kane 2) Reedy 3) Groulx.

San Jose is now 5-12 after trailing after two periods. They have snapped a three-game losing streak on the road.

Eriksson-Ek suffered his first loss against San Jose in his career. He is now 5-1 against them.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues their road trip with a two-game series with the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday 12/21 at 6:05pm at Budweiser Events Center.

Reign rule over Barracuda in 7-4 win

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The San Jose Barracuda has had their struggles as they lost to the Ontario Reign at the Toyota Center in Ontario on Fri Dec 17, 2021 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

ONTARIO, Calif, — The road has not been kind to the San Jose Barracuda of late.

The Ontario Reign scored five unanswered goals en route to a 7-4 victory over their NorCal rival on Friday evening at Toyota Arena.

San Jose had its two-game winning streak snapped. Ontario have won three out of its last four games and sit in second place in the Pacific Division with 29 points.

San Jose has been outscored 17-5 in their past two road games.

Ontario (14-5-0-1) drew first blood early in the first period. Austin Wagner intercepted a clearing attempt from Cole Moberg in the neutral zone. Wagner skated around the ‘Cuda defense and slid a shot past the five-hole of ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his fourth goal of the season at the 2:51 mark.

The Reign doubled their lead more than halfway through the opening frame. Aidan Dudas made a drop pass to T.J. Tynan who blasted a one-timer past Melnichuk for his fourth goal of the season at the 12:50 mark.

Tynan has 11 points in his last 10 games for the Reign.

Ontario scored its third unanswered goal with 35 seconds left in the period. Valdimir Tkachev fed a pass back up to the point and Blake Siebenaler sent in a seeing eyed wrist shot past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season.

Ontario out shot San Jose 14-7 in the first period as the dominated play the entire period.

The Reign kept the route going early in the second period. Siebenlaer sent in the puck from the red line that took a tricky bounce off the boards out in front of the faceoff circles where Tyler Madden shot the puck into an empty net for his eighth goal of the season at the 2:18 mark.

Ontario scored its fifth unanswered goal on the power play. Jaret Dolan-Anderson centered a pass from behind the end line out to Gabriel Vilardi who beat Melnichuk with a wrist shot for his third goal of the season at the 5:31 mark.

San Jose (8-12-1-0) has given up a power play goal to the opposition for the ninth straight game.

Melnichuk was replaced by Zachary Sawchenko to start the second period. Melnichuk made 11 saves on 14 shots.

The Barracuda broke through on the scoreboard on the power play halfway through the middle frame. John Leonard sent cross ice pass over to the Sasha Chmelevski who ripped a wrist shot past Reign goalie Matthew Villalta for his fourth goal of the season at the 10:18 mark.

San Jose scored its second straight power play goal on a five-on-three man advantage. Chmelevski found Scott Reedy down low near the crease and Reedy one-timed the puck into the back of the net for his team leading 11th goal of the season at the 13:55 mark.

The Barracuda scored its third unanswered goal early in the third period. John Leonard scored his third goal of the season at the 1:39 mark.

Ontario regained its three-goal lead on the power play when Martin Frk scored his team leading 12th goal of the season at the 11:13 mark.

San Jose scored its third power play of the game on another five-on-three opportunity. Reedy scored his second goal of the game at the 13:51 mark. Ryan Merkley and Evander Kane set up Reedy’s 12th goal of the season.

Ontario iced the game late in the period seconds after their power play opportunity expired. Tkachev scored his third goal of the season at the 17:02 mark.

Villalta finished with 26 saves on 30 shots to earn the victory. Sawchenko made 12 saves on 16 shots in his two periods of action and suffered the loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for-7 on the power play. Ontario was 2-for-4.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues their road trip in San Diego on Saturday 12/18 as they take on the Gulls at 7:00pm at Pechanga Arena.

Barracuda shoot down Eagles in 10-5 route

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San Jose Barracuda picked up their second straight win over the Colorado Eagles on Wed Dec 15, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose (image by San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda played like a team possessed.

They used a five goal second period en route to a 10-5 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday night at SAP Center. The five-goal outburst was the most goals they have scored in a single period in a game this season as they set a new franchise mark scoring 10 goals for the first time in its history.

San Jose has won two games in a row. Colorado had its three-game winning streak snapped.

“It felt good,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer about his team’s offensive output. “It’s kind of fun back there. We’ve been on the other side of that just last week so it was good to be on the right side of it this time that’s for sure.”

Colorado (10-9-1-2) drew first blood just under two minutes into the first period. Rob Hamilton sent in a shot from the point where an unchecked Jayson Megna was all alone in the crease to cash in the rebound for his first goal of the season at the 1:49 mark.

San Jose (8-11-1-0) answered back late in the period. Nick Merkley made a back pass to Patrick Holway who fired a shot on net that deflected off Eagles goalie Justus Annunen high up into the air and Joachim Blichfeld poked the puck into the back of the net for eighth goal of the season at the 13:24 mark.

Colorado regained the lead on the power play with under a minute remaining in the opening frame. Callahan Burke sent a cross ice pass over to Shane Bowers who wired a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk from the left slot for his first goal of the season at the 19:12 mark.

The Barracuda evened the score early in the second period on a short-handed goal. Adam Raska skated inside the Eagles zone on a two-on-one odd man rush with Evander Kane. Raska deked a pass and snapped home a wrist shot top-shelf past Annunen for his second goal of the season at the 1:58 mark.

San Jose gained their first lead of the game on the power play halfway through the second period. John Leonard found Jeffery Viel in the left shot and Viel one-timed a wrist shot past Annunen to the far top corner for his first goal of the season at the 10:37 mark.

The ‘Cuda doubled its lead 45 seconds later when Jacob Megna sent a seeing eyed wrist shot from the left point that went underneath Annunen for his first goal of the season at the 11:22 mark. Sasha Chmelevski recorded the only assist on Megna’s goal.

San Jose extended to a three-goal lead thanks to their second short-handed goal of the game. Adam Raska collected his own short-handed attempt and found Cole Moberg open in the middle of the ice as Moberg’s one-timer beat Annunen for his first career AHL goal at the 12:56 mark.

The Eagles answered back on the same power play 56 second later. Dylan Sikura skated in from the left wing, his initial shot was saved by Melnichuk but he cleaned up his own rebound for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:51 mark.

The ‘Cuda scored its fifth goal of the middle frame on the man advantage. Blichfeld sent in a shot from the between the faceoff circles and a Krystof Hrabik, who was camped out in front of the crease, jammed home the rebound for his first career AHL goal at the 16:35 mark.

Ryan Merkley picked up the secondary assist on Hrabik’s goal, his third of the night, for his first three-point game in his career.

“I’m feeling a lot more comfortable. I’m having a much better year than I did last year. That takes time. I believe in myself. I think I’m showing it. (I’m) running a good power play right now and getting better defensively. It was nice to get a few points there,” Merkley said.

Colorado cut the lead to a two-goal game with an even strength goal early in the third period. Martin Kaut cleaned up a rebound off of a Burke shot from the left end line for his fourth goal of the season at the 3:56 mark.

The Barracuda regained its third three-goal lead when Kane sent a pass up the ice that sprung Nick Merkley on a breakaway. Merkley skated in and beat Annunen through the five-hole for his fourth goal of the season at the 6:23 mark.

Kane finished with a four-point night with one goal and three assists, his first multi-point game as a member of the Barracuda.

“I liked our response in the second (period) obviously,” said Kane. “We don’t want to be giving up 5, 6, 7 goals (a game). It was nice to get the offense going.”

Nick Merkley scored his second goal of the night just under three minutes later. Scott Reedy found a streaking Merkley who one-timed a wrist shot past Annunen for his fifth goal of the season at the 9:05 mark.

That ended the night for Annunen as he gave up eight goals on 32 shots. Hunter Miska came in and finished the final 10 minutes of the game.

Colorado scored its third power play of the game when Keifer Sherwood and Hamilton played a give and go with each other that resulted in Hamilton beating Melnichuk with a wrist shot for his third goal of the season at the 10:23 mark.

San Jose tied their franchise mark for most goals in a game when Nick Merkley found a wide-open Kane just to the left of the net for an easy tap in into an open net for his first career AHL goal at the 14:39 mark.

The ‘Cuda set the new franchise mark when Viel scored his second goal of the game with 21 seconds left in the contest.

Melnichuk stopped 24 of the 29 shots he faces in earning the victory. Miska gave up two goals on the two shots he faced in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-3 on the power play. Colorado was 3-for-7.

The San Jose Sharks placed forward Joel Kellman on unconditional waivers on Tuesday for the purpose of terminating his contract, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported.

Kellman has played in 10 games for AHL San Jose this year but has yet to get into action with the Sharks. At this point, it seems likely the 27-year-old Swede will head back to his home country where he began his professional career.

UP NEXT: San Jose begin a four-game road trip when they take on the Ontario Reign on Friday 12/17 at 7:00pm at Toyota Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda look for second straight win host Colorado Wednesday night

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The San Jose Sharks have recalled the Barracuda’s Jayden Halbgewachs and will be joining the Sharks tonight against the Seattle Karken at SAP Center in San Jose (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (7-11-1-0) who were coming off a loss on Saturday turned things around on Sunday with a 5-2 three goal win over the Abbotsford Canucks (5-2)

‘#2 Barracuda goalie Alexi Melnichuk was key on Sunday against the visiting Canucks stopping 17 shots in their three goal win.

#3 Undrafted rookie Nick Cicek scored his first goal in 13 games on Sunday, Cicek leads the Barracuda defenseman in goals scored with 11 and got his second multi goal game of the season.

#4 Head coach Roy Sommer had to be excited about the Barracuda getting that first shorthanded goal of the season scored by Evan Wienger in the second period on a four on five play.

#5 Marko, talk a little about Jayden Halbgewachs who was recalled by the Sharks on Monday. He certainly earned his wing for the call up.

#6 The Barracuda conclude their three game homestand with the visiting Colorado Eagles on Wednesday night at SAP Center as the Barracuda look for their second straight win.

Join Marko Ukalovic for the SJ Barracuda podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda relieved loss streak ended; Prepare for Colorado Wed night at SAP

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The San Jose Barracuda Jayden Halbgewachs (89) has been recalled by the San Jose Sharks on Mon Dec 13, 2021 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko a big comeback for the San Jose Barracuda (7-11-1-0) with a three goal 5-2 win over the visiting Abbotsford Canucks (8-8-2-0) on Sunday at SAP Center in San Jose to end their three game losing streak.

#2 San Jose goaltender Alexi Melnichuk is now 2-0 against the Canucks with 17 saves allowing two goals, Melnichuk was winless in his last two meetings against the Canucks.

#3 Scoring his second multi point game of the 2021-22 season Nick Cicek scored his first goal in 13 games he also had an assist. Cicek is an undrafted rookie for the Barracuda.

#4 Head coach Roy Sommer had to be excited that the Cuda finally got their first shorthanded goal of the season when Evan Weinger scored in the first period on a four on five.

#5 Marko, talk about Jayden Halbgewachs who was recalled by the Sharks on Monday and will join the team Tuesday night when the Sharks host the Seattle Kraken at SAP Center.

#6 The Barracuda conclude their three game homestand with the Colorado Eagles on Wed Dec 15 at 7:00 PM PST at SAP Center.

Marko does the Barracuda podcasts on Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda power past Canucks 5-2, snap losing streak

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San Jose Barracuda get a three goal win over the visiting Abbotsford Canucks at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Dec 12, 2021 (image by San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE —Special teams hadn’t been so special for the San Jose Barracuda lately.

The ‘Cuda scored three power play goals and one short-handed en route to a 5-2 victory over the Abbotsford Canucks on Sunday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Jose snapped its three-game losing streak in a much-needed win. Abbotsford had its three-game winning streak snapped.

“It’s been stressful back there to be honest with you,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer on his team ending their losing streak. “Because we had been giving up so many goals (in the past six games). Tonight, I thought we played really well. I thought we came out of our own end really good.”

The Barracuda (7-11-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period. Joel Kellman sent a pass back up to the right point over to Nick Cicek. The ‘Cuda defenseman blasted a shot past Canucks goalie Michael DiPierto for his second goal of the season at the 3:37 mark. Joachim Blichfeld picked up the secondary assist.

Abbotsford (8-8-2-1) responded with an even strength goal halfway through the opening frame. Phil Di Giuseppe found Vincent Arseneau all alone in front of the crease and his backhander beat ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his third goal of the season at the 10:05 mark.

All of Arseneau’s goals have been against San Jose.

San Jose answered back with its first power play goal of the game almost two minutes later. Ryan Merkley found Scott Reedy down low at the left faceoff circle. Reedy sent a knuckleball of a shot that trickled underneath DiPierto for his team leading 10th goal of the season at the 11:55 mark. fifth power play goal at 11:55 mark.

Reedy leads the AHL in power play goals with five on the season.

Abbotsford opened up the second period scoring on the power play that was continued from the first period. Cameron Schilling’s shot from the left point was tipped past Melnichuk by Justin Bailey for his fifth goal of the season 45 seconds into the period.

San Jose scored its second power play goal of the game six minutes later. Blichfeld fired a shot from the left slot and the rebound was cleaned up by Sasha Cmelevski for his third goal of the season at the 6:54 mark.

Chmelevski has scored two goals in three games.

The Barracuda turned the tied on the penalty kill 61 seconds later. Kellman sprung Evan Weinger with a pass in the neutral zone. Weinger skated in on net chipped in a shot past DiPierto while being tripped down to the ice set for his fourth goal of the season at the 7:55 mark.

It was the ‘Cuda’s first short-handed goal of the season.

“Special teams was a big part of the win. We did give up a penalty kill goal, but overall, special teams won us the game,” Sommer said.

That ended the night for DiPierto as Canucks head coach Trent Cull yanked his starting goalie and replaced him with Arturs Silovs. DiPierto finished with 14 saves on 18 shots.

San Jose iced the game with its third power play goal late in the third period. Evander Kane, who played in his second game with the Barracuda, sent a shot off Scott Reedy outside of the crease. Reedy made a touch pass over to Jayden Halbgewachs who one-timed a wrist shot past Silovs for his seventh goal of the season at the 15:05 mark.

Kane, with the secondary assist, picked up his first point as a member of the Barracuda.

Melnichuk stopped 17 of the 19 shots he faced to earn the victory. Silovs made six saves on seven shots in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for-6 on the power play. Abbotsford was 1-for-5.

San Jose is now 5-1-1 when they score the first goal of the game.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kellman 2) Blichfeld 3) Cicek

UP NEXT: The Barracuda conclude its three-game homestand when they host the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Kane makes his AHL debut in Barracuda’s 5-1 loss to Canucks

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Evander Kane played his first game as a San Jose Barracuda on Sat Dec 11, 2021 against the Abbotsford Canucks at SAP Center in San Jose (Bay Area News Group photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—This wasn’t just any typical AHL debut.

Evander Kane played in his first ever AHL game as the San Jose Barracuda loss 5-1 to the Abbotsford Canucks on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Jose have lost two games in a row and seven out of their past eight. Abbotsford have won three out of its past four games.

Kane, the embattled forward trying to make his back to the NHL, was on the ‘Cuda’s third line with Joel Kellman and Joachim Blichfeld.

“It was nice to get back out there and get the juices flowing,” said Kane after the game. “There’s some adjustments you need to make and how you read the play a little bit. But yeah, it was a good first game.”

Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer appreciated the effort by Kane in his first game in 213 days.

“For a guy who hasn’t been in a game in seven months, I thought he was pretty good. I thought his effort was there, he didn’t cheat us that way, (he) finished some hits. But it was his first game,” Sommer said.

Abbotsford (8-7-2-1) drew first blood on the power play early in the first period. Cameron Schilling found Sheldon Rempal along the right slot and Rempal snapped home a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his sixth goal of the season at the 5:38 mark.

The Canucks doubled its lead just over two minutes later. Madison Bowey sent a home run pass up the ice to Vincent Arseneau who skated in from the right wing and wired a wrist shot past Sawchenko for his second goal of the season at the 7:53 mark.

Both of Arseneau’s goals have come against San Jose this season.

Abbotsford scored its third unanswered goal of the period on an odd man rush. Nic Petan dished the puck over to Phil Di Giuseppe who slid a backhander past Sawchenko for his fifth goal of the season at the 14:48 mark.

Di Giuseppe leads the Canucks in points against the Barracuda this season with seven (4G, 3A).

The Canucks made it 4-0 just 23 seconds into the second period. Justin Bailey got around the ‘Cuda defense off a pass off the boards, skated in and beat Sawchenko with a point-blank shot for his fourth goal of the season. Danila Klimovich and Jet Woo were credited with the assists.

San Jose (6-11-1-0) finally answered back when Adam Raska was able to skate around the Canucks defense from the left wing and his shot deflected off a Canucks skate into the back of the net for his career AHL goal at the 7:32 mark. Jeffery Viel received the primary assist on Raska’s goal.

The goal set off a fleury of stuffed animals thrown onto the ice as it was the annual Teddy Bear Toss Night by the Barracuda.

The Barracuda outshot the Canucks 9-5 in the middle frame.

Abbotsford regained their four-goal lead early in the third period. A shot from the point by Bowey pinballed around the crease and a crashing Tristen Nielsen cleaned up the rebound for his second goal of the season at the 2:58 mark.

That ended the afternoon for Sawchenko as Sommer replaced him with Alexei Melnichuk. Sawchenko finished with 12 saves on 17 shots in 41:21 of ice time.

San Jose has given up four goals or more in six straight games and defensively the team’s confidence has been shaken during the past eight games.

“Right now, we’re kind of fragile. You can see it on the bench. When we get scored on everyone on the bench is like ‘oh man’,” said Sommer.

Canucks goalie Spencer Martin finished the game stopping 27 of the 28 shots he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk was a perfect six for six coming in relief for Sawchenko in the third period.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Abbotsford was 1-for-2.

San Jose dropped to 2-5-1 at home and are 0-3 in playing afternoon games.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Rempal 2) Petan 3) Raska

UP NEXT: San Jose continues their three game homestand on Sunday 12/5 as they host the Abbotsford Canucks at 4:00pm at SAP Center.

Froese’s hat trick powers Heat in 10-1 route of the Barracuda

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The San Jose Barracuda sat on the bench expressionless at the Stockton Arena as they find out there is no mercy rule in hockey against the Stockton Heat on Tue Dec 7, 2021 (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

STOCKTON, Calif, —There are games where you want to set the tape on fire and never watch again.

In what was their worst performance of the season, the San Jose Barracuda suffered a severe beating from the Stockton Heat in a 10-1 loss on Tuesday evening at Stockton Arena.

San Jose have lost six out of its last seven games. Stockton have won three games in a row and lead the Pacific Division with 30 points.

Stockton (14-2-2-0) jumped out to an early lead in the first period when they scored two goals 14 seconds apart.

Glenn Gawdin found Matthew Phillips along the right wing. Phillips skated back into the middle and lifted a backhander past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his sixth goal of the season at the 8:35 mark.

Then former ‘Cuda defenseman Nick DeSimone fired a shot from the right point that was redirected by Gawdin past Sawchenko for his sixth goal of the season at the 8:49 mark.

The Heat scored its third unanswered goal of the period when a counterattack led to a two-on-one odd man rush. Rookie sensation Jacob Pelletier centered a pass from the end line over to Gawdin who beat Sawchenko with a one-timer for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season at the 15:43 mark.

San Jose (6-10-1-0) had chances to get on the board, including a breakaway from Jayden Halbgewachs in the first five minutes of the period, but Heat goalie Dustin Wolf Adam Werner kept San Jose off the board in the opening frame.

Stockton out shot San Jose 12-11 in the first period.

The Heat picked up in the second period where they left off in the first by scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second period.

Connor Mackey sent a cross ice pass to a streaking Eetu Tuulola who beat Sawchenko with a wrist shot to the short side for his third goal of the season at the 6:49 mark.

Less than two minutes later, Stockton extended its lead to 5-0. Ilya Solovyov fed a pass back up to the point where Byron Froese ripped a slap shot past Sawchenko for his fifth goal of the season at the 8:18 mark.

That ended the night for Sawchenko (3-5-0) as he gave up five goals on 18 shots. Zachary Emond finished the game for San Jose.

It did nothing to spark the Barracuda as they played lifeless the rest of the game with multiple turnovers and taking frustration penalties that kept them for establishing a forecheck.

The Heat’s onslaught continued with its sixth straight unanswered goal just 55 seconds later. Gawdin set up Matthew Phillips with a backdoor centering pass that Phillips buried a one-timer past Emond for his seventh goal of the season at the 9:13 mark.

Stockton kept pouring it on with a power play late in the middle frame. Mackey sent in a shot from the point and Froese cleaned up the rebound for his second goal of the game and sixth goal of the season for the Heat captain at the 18:23 mark.

The Heat made it 8-0 early in the third period. Martin Pospisil fired a shot in on net and Connor Zary poked in the rebound for his third goal of the season at the 4:14 mark.

San Jose spoiled the shutout bid for Wolf when Dilion Hamaliuk sent a cross ice pass to Montana Onyebuchi in the left slot and the rookie defenseman rifled a wrist shot past Wolf for his first career AHL goal at the 11:08 mark.

Froese completed his hat trick when he was camped out in front of the crease and redirected Andy Welinski’s shot from the point past Emond for his second power play goal and eighth goal of the season at the 15:05 mark.

Gawdin finished his own hat trick when the ‘Cuda turned the puck right over to his stick and his wrist shot into an empty net for the Heat’s third power play goal that completed the scoring at the 17:04 mark.

Wolf (10-0-2) finished the game stopping 24 of the 25 shots he faced to earn the victory and still hasn’t lost in regulation this season. Emond made 16 saves on 21 shots in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Stockton was 3-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gawdin 2) Froese 3) Phillips

UP NEXT: San Jose returns to home to host the Abbotsford Canucks in a two-game series on Saturday at 1:15pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda come away with split against Canucks; Face off with Stockton on Tuesday

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The San Jose Barracuda scrum in front of the Abbotsford Canucks net on Sun Dec 5, 2021 at the Abbotsford Arena in their second meeting of the two game series (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The Abbotsford Canucks (7-7-2) used a three-goal third period to defeat the San Jose Barracuda (9-9-1-0) 5-2 on Sunday evening at Abbotsford Centre.

#2 San Jose have lost five of its past six games as they anchor the basement in the Pacific Division with 13 points. Abbotsford have won three of its last four games.

#3 Scott Reedy continues to be consistent on offense with two assists in five straight games. Reedy a rookie looks to be a an up and comer with nine goals and six assists for 15 points and ranks sixth in scoring amongst AHL rookies.

#4 The Barracuda Ryan Merkley a long time waiting to get his first goal of the year after 31 games his offense has improved he has chalked up points in three consecutive games.

#5 The Stockton Heat (13-2-2) host the Barrcuada on Tue Dec 7 at 6:30pm at the Stockton Arena. The Heat have won four out of their last six games and are in first place in the AHL Pacific Division. The last time the two clubs met was at SAP Center Wed Nov 3 the Heat defeated the Barracuda by three goals 4-1.

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