Category: San Jose Barracuda

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Both Barracuda and Canucks battled to the very end Sunday night

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The San Jose Sharks Sasha Chemelvski who scored the game winning goal in the shootout against the Abbotsford Canucks on Sun Nov 14, 2021 (file photo by nhl.com)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (4-4-1-0) just edged the Abbotsford Canucks (4-4-2-0) 3-2 in a shootout win when the Barracuda’s Sasha Chemelvski scored on Canucks goaltender Michael DiPietro.

#2 Chmelevski scored the game winning goal in the shootout stanza it had to be something special to get the game winner.

#3 Marko to give you an idea how close this contest was the Barracuda and Canucks didn’t score a goal in the overtime stanza and no one was giving in in this tight contest.

#4 The Barracuda were coming off a 7-1 blow out the previous night Friday as the Barracuda goalie Alexi Melnichuk started and gave up four goals and Zachary Emond later came in and gave up three goals on five shots he faced in six minutes. Last night in game 2 of the series the Barracuda had Alexi Melnichuk in net who faced 22 shots and allowed two goals.

#5 Marko, the Barracuda return back to SAP Center on Wed Nov 17th to host the Bakersfield Condors (6-4-1-1) who are in third in the Pacific Division. The Cuda would like to continue with a second straight win tell us how you see this match up on Wednesday night.

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

Barracuda split series with Canucks in 3-2 shootout win

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The Abbotsford Canucks right winger Damila Klimovich (46) puts one on net against the San Jose Barracuda goaltender Alexi Melnichuk (1) who makes a save on Sun Nov 14, 2021 in Abbotsford BC (photo by the Abbotsford Canucks)

by Marko Ukalovic

ABBOTSFORD, British Colombia—Sasha Chemlevski scored the lone goal in the shootout as the San Jose Barracuda beat the Abbotsford Canucks 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Abbotsford Centre.

San Jose split the two-game series with their newest Pacific Division rival in the first ever series between the two squads. The Vancouver Canucks moved its AHL team from Utica, New York to the border town 45 miles south of Vancouver.

A scoreless first period saw the Barracuda out shoot the Canucks 10-5 in the opening frame. Both goalies were on their game early on as both Alexei Melnichuk and Michael Dipierto were perfect.

Abbotsford (4-4-2-1) drew first blood early in the second period. Will Lockwood knocked Artemi Kniazev off the puck off from behind the net. Lockwood centered the puck out in front to Chase Wouters who buried the puck past Melnichuk for his first career AHL goal at the 3:35 mark.

San Jose (4-4-1-0) answered back just over a minute later. Zachary Gallant skated out to the point from behind the net and he sent a shot on net that pinballed off of DiPierto over to Evan Weinger who punched home the puck in the crease for his second goal of the season at the 4:52 mark.

Weinger has two goals in his past three games.

Abbotsford regained the lead late in the middle frame. Cameron Shilling sent a shot in on net from the left point that Melnichuk wasn’t able to handle and a crashing Jaris Lukosevicius cleaned up the rebound for his second goal of the season at the 15:38 mark.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer in early in the third period. Ryan Merkley found Noah Gregor with a pass at center ice. Gregor skated into the Canucks zone and fired a rolling puck top-shelf past DiPierto for his co-team lead fourth goal of the season at the 7:47 mark.

With the goal, Gregor has a career high six-game point streak for the ‘Cuda.

San Jose had the ice tilted in their favor in the third period as they out shot Abbotsford 12-1.

Not many scoring chances were generated in the overtime period as there were only a combined four shots on goal.

Melnichuk finished the game 20 saves on 22 shots to earn his third victory of the season. DiPierto made 37 saves on 39 shots in the losing effort.

Each goaltender was brilliant in the shootout as nine straight shooters failed to score until Chmelevski’s heroics ended the game.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Abbotsford was 0-for-6.

The Stars of the Game were: 1) Gregor 2) DiPierto 3) Wouters.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda return home to start a three-game homestand on Wednesday 11/17 as they host the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Canucks route Barracuda 7-1

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It was quite an introduction for the San Jose Barracuda meeting the Abbotsford Canucks for the first time on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at Abbotsford Centre as goaltender Alexi Melnichuk was later pulled for Zachary Emond (35) (photo by sjbarracuda.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

ABBOTSFORD, British Colombia—The Abbotsford Canucks had their way with the San Jose Barracuda in a 7-1 victory on Friday evening at Abbotsford Centre in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

The Vancouver Canucks moved their AHL team from Utica, New York to Abbotsford, British Colombia for the 2021-22 season. Abbotsford is right on the Canadian-US border, south of Vancouver.

Abbotsford took control of the game with three unanswered goals in the first period.

Sheldon Rampal opened the scoring with a power play goal just under two minutes into the first period. Nic Petan and Phil Di Giuseppe set up Rampal’s second goal of the season at the 1:57 mark.

It didn’t take long for the Canucks to double its lead. 64 seconds later Jet Woo scored his first goal of the season at the 3:01 mark. Di Giuseppe earned his second point in three minutes with his primary assist on Woo’s goal.

Abbotsford (4-4-2-0) scored their third unanswered goal of the period exactly three minutes later when Woo set up Will Lockwood who beat ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk with a shot for his first goal of the season at the 6:01 mark.

San Jose (3-4-1-0) scored its only goal of the game on the power play late in the opening frame on the power play. Jayden Halbgewachs set up Scott Reedy who beat Canuck’s goalie Michael DiPierto with a shot for his fourth goal of the season at the 18:13 mark.

Abottsford scored the lone goal of the second period with its second power play goal late in the second period. Woo set up Vincent Arseneau who put the puck past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 18:23 mark.

Despite outshooting the Canucks 10-6 in the middle frame, the Barracuda were down three goals entering the third period.

The Canucks made the game a laugher in the third period with three more goals to seal the game.

Zachary Emond replaced Melnichuk to start the third period. Melnichuk finished 17 saves on 21 shots as ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer looked to change things up in the final frame.

Sheldon Dries, who finished with four points in the game, scored an unassisted goal at the 1:08 mark for his sixth goal of the season.

Just over four minutes later, Rampal scored his second goal of the contest and third of the season at the 5:13 mark.

Adam Brubacher closed out the scoring for Abbotsford with his first goal of the season at the 14:40 mark.

Di Giuseppe finished with four assists on the night and Woo had a three-point night with one goal and two assists.

Di Pierto finished the evening stopping 28 of the 29 shots he faced to earn his fourth victory of the season. Emond made two saves on five shots in mop up duty for the ‘Cuda.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-9 on the power play. Abbotsford was 2-for-4.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-game series with Abbotsford on Sunday 11/14 at 4:00pm at Abbotsford Centre.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Happy endings for Barracuda end homestand with 7-5 win over Texas

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San Jose Barracuda Jake McGrew (64) got his first AHL multi goal game scoring twice against the Texas Stars on Sun Nov 7, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, after the San Jose Barracuda (3-3-1-0) had that tough contest against the visiting Texas Stars (4-6-0-0) on Saturday night getting clobbered 7-3 they did a turn about with a 7-5 win over the Stars.

#2 Marko, the seven goals by the Barracuda was their highest scoring of the season they’re making some offense and head coach Roy Sommer who said Saturday’s performance was something he wanted to move away from made it all count Sunday against the Stars.

#3 The Barracuda and Texas set a season high total with six opening period goals, Sunday’s game falls one goal short of the all time most opening period goals in Barracuda history.

#4 Marko talk about Jake McGrew who scored twice on Sunday for his first two goal game of his career.

#5 It’s off to British Columbia as the Barracuda take on the Abbottsford Canucks for a Fri Nov 12th 7:00pm face off and the same two meet again in Abbottsford on Sun Nov 14th for a 4:00 pm face off.

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

Barracuda pick up fourth win out of last six in high scoring 7-5 win over Stars

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San Jose Barracuda celebrate a big win against the Texas Stars at SAP Center in San Jose for a split in the two game series on Sun Nov 7, 2021 (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

By Len Shapiro

The San Jose Barracuda (3-3-1-0) got to set some franchise records after playing just two games with the Texas Stars (4-6-0-0) at SAP Center in San Jose on Sunday’s matinee. The Barracuda and Stars combined for six opening period goals which was one short of the all time record of combine opening period goals. The Barracuda’s seven goals and three power play goals were the most this season for San Jose in their 7-5 win.

The night before (Saturday) the Barracuda were involved in another seven goal affair but that decision went to the Stars 7-3. So if you like offense this was your series to watch. The Barracuda’s John McGrew scored two goals in Sunday’s game for a first multi goal game of his AHL career.

The Barracuda led four different times and exchanged leads with the Stars six different times. Barracuda goaltender Zachary Edmond played in his first AHL start getting his first career win stopping 28 shots allowing five goals and facing 33 shots total. Joachim Blichfield had three points matching his career high in a game and has five points in six games this season.

The Barracuda’s Noah Gregor picked up an assist which extended his point streak to five games and leads the Barracuda in scoring. Dillion Hamaliuk scored in the first period for his first AHL goal. Barracuda scorers for Sunday’s contest against the Stars as follows: McGrew (2), Hamaliuk (1), Chemlevski (1), Blichfeld (1), Kellman (1) and Weinger (1).

The Barracuda hit the road for two games in British Columbia against the Abbotsford Canucks this Friday night at 7:00pm and conclude the series on Sunday at 4:00 pm PST.

Heat first period outburst buries Barracuda 4-1

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San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat matched up at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Nov 3, 2021 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—There’s a heatwave happening in the Central Valley. And it has nothing to do with the weather.

The Stockton Heat scored three goals is the first period en route to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose is 2-2-0 in its past four games. Stockton have won five games in a row and still haven’t lost in regulation.

Stockton (5-0-1-0) drew first blood four minutes into the first period. A turnover by the Barracuda inside their own zone led to Adam Ruzicka all alone on ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk. Ruzicka made one move before lifting a backhander past Melnichuk for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:04 mark. Jacob Pelletier was credited with an assist.

Pelletier now has eight points (2G, 6A) in fives game for Stockton to begin his rookie season.

Stockton doubled its lead just under two minutes later. Glenn Gawdin skated around Adam Parsells and sent a pass through the crease over to Luke Philip who tapped home the puck into an empty net for his third goal of the season at the 5:54 mark.

The Heat scored their goal of the period on the power play. Andy Welinski sent a pass from the point over to the right faceoff circle to Martin Pospisil who sent a wrist shot on net. Ruzicka, who was camped out in front of the crease, redirected the puck past Melnichuk for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season at the 11:13 mark.

San Jose (2-2-1-0) weren’t able to generate much offense as they were busy killing off penalties in the entire second half of the period. Their best chance to get on the scoreboard was on a short-handed odd man rush where Kyle Topping’s shot was saved by Heat goalie Dustin Wolf.

Stockton out shot San Jose 14-6 in the opening 20 minutes.

It’s been a tough few days for ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. The game in Stockton was canceled due to two San Jose players and their goalie coach that tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday afternoon. That had left the team with only 12 players available to play.

There was no time for the recent callup from Orlando to get any practice time before tonight’s game.

“That’s probably the best team in the division and we were a little shorthanded on the back,” said Sommer. “And the guys (who just got here) haven’t had (a chance to) practice yet. They just got off the plane today. So that made a big difference.”

The Heat extended its lead with their second power play goal of the game midway through the second period. Ruzicka sent in a wrist shot on Melnichuk that was initially stopped but Pospisil cleaned up the rebound with a backhand shot for his second goal of the season at the 8:12 mark.

San Jose finally got on the board late in the middle frame. Cole Moberg sent a shot on net from the right end line. The puck ricochet off Wolf into the middle as Scott Reedy crashed in and put the puck into the back of the net for his third goal of the season at the 12:57 mark.

“Just not a real good hockey game (from us). (We) didn’t come out of our end real clean. Turned some pucks over in the neutral zone and didn’t have any (offensive) zone time,” Sommer said.

A scoreless third period featured lots of chippiness between the two teams that have no love lost for one another. Multiple scrums with pushing and shoving ensued throughout the final 20 minutes.

Wolf finished the game with 22 shots on 24 shots to earn the victory. Melnichuk stopped 24 of the 28 shots he faced in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Stockton went 2-for-5.

‘Cuda forward Timur Ibragimov was injured in the third period with an apparent lower body injury when he was tripped up inside the Heat zone. He was not able to finish the game.

This was the first meeting between the two clubs since March 10, 2020, marking a 603 day gap between games.

The Barracuda are 34-20-2, including 18-11-1-0 at home, all time against the Heat.

Forward Noah Gregor remained on the Covid-19 protocol list. Goalie Zachary Sawchenko was released from the list.

San Jose recalled goalie Zachary Emond, defenseman Montana Onyebuchi and forwards Jake McGrew and Kyle Topping from the ECHL’s Solar Bears on Monday.

UP NEXT: San Jose host the Texas Stars on Saturday 11/6 at 1:15pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: How bad is the Covid 19 spread in San Jose as game is postponed?

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Photo from previous game between the Colorado Eagles and San Jose Barracuda. The Barracuda and Stockton Heat contest was postponed due to Covid 19 protocols on Sun Oct 31, 2021 at Stockton Arena (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, the San Jose Barracuda just barley got their home opener completed on Friday night but on Sunday night they were to travel to Stockton but had their game postponed due to Covid 19 protocols and sitting San Jose players Noah Gregor and Zachary Sawchenko, and goaltending coach Dany Sabourin.

#2 Coincidently the Barracuda’s parent club the San Jose Sharks had to sit several of their players including their head coach as follows,  Andrew Cogliano, Jonathan Dahlen, Erik Karlsson, Jacob Middleton, Matt Nieto, Radim Simek, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Head Coach Bob Boughner were all held out of the game due to NHL COVID-19 protocol. Could the residue of the virus could have compromised the dressing room for the Barracuda?

#3 The Barracuda (2-1-1-0) are coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Colorado Eagles (1-4-0-1) in a game that the Barracuda loss on home ice for the home opener.

#4 The Eagles Kiefer Sherwood had himself an evening on Friday scoring twice against the Barracuda and couldn’t keep him down as he even scored the overtime winner.

#5 The Barracuda and Heat will play at the SAP Center on Wed Nov 3rd for a 7:00pm face off both teams will be well rested after having Sunday off but will Gregor and Sawchenko be ready and pass Covid protocols for Wednesday’s game?

Marko does the Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda-Heat game is postponed due to Covid-19 protocols

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The Stockton Heat and the San Jose Barracuda seen here in a previous game at SAP Center. The contest between the Heat and the Barracuda at Stockton Arena for Sun Oct 31, 2021 had been called due to Covid 19 protocols (photo from sjbarracuda.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

STOCKTON, Calif.—The AHL has postponed tonight’s San Jose Barracuda-Stockton Heat game at Stockton Arena as San Jose players Noah Gregor and Zachary Sawchenko, and goaltending coach Dany Sabourin are in COVID protocol.

Here is the team statement from the Barracuda regarding the postponement:

“Due to roster constraints affecting the #SJBarracuda resulting from league COVID-19 protocols, our game scheduled for this evening at Stockton has been postponed.”

UP NEXT: The Barracuda return to action on Wednesday 11/3 hosting the Stockton Heat at 7:00 pm at SAP Center.

Eagles earn first win with 5-4 OT victory over Barracuda

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Game of inches this photo shows how the Colorado Eagles force San Jose Barracuda goaltender Alexi Melnichuk (1) to cover up at the exact time of a shot. The Eagles edged the Barracuda in a one goal win at SAP Center in San Jose on Fri Oct 29, 2021 (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—Kiefer Sherwood is doing his best in becoming the next ‘Cuda killer.

His game winning goal with 22 seconds left in overtime gave the Colorado Eagles a 5-4 over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at SAP Center.

Dylan Sikura, who was a ‘Cuda killer last year with Henderson, fed Sherwood with a pass into the Barracuda zone. Sherwood skated in and fired a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his second goal of the night.

San Jose had its two game winning streak snapped. Colorado won their first game of the season after being winless in their first five games.

San Jose (2-1-1-0) drew first blood under four minutes into the first period. Nick Merkley sent in a shot from the point that Evan Weinger was able to drop pass back to Noah Gregor. The ‘Cuda left winger skated in the middle and deposited a wrist shot past Eagles goalie Justus Annunen for his second goal of the season at the 3:52 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead less than three minutes later when Timur Ibragimov started a counter attack. Ibragimov fed a pass out to Scott Reedy who sent a rink wide pass over to Nicolas Meloche. The second year defenseman fired a wrist shot from the right point just inside the left post into the back of the net for his first goal of the season at the 6:27 mark.

Colorado (1-4-0-1) cut San Jose’s lead in half on the power play midway though the opening frame. Sikura sent a rink wide pass from the right faceoff circle over to Sherwood. The Eagles right winger buried a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the game at the 11:51 mark.

Sherwood has three goals in four games against San Jose. He leads the Eagles with six goals.

The Eagles scored the equalizer midway through the second period. After John Leonard was stopped on a breakaway attempt, Justin Barron led a counter attack for Colorado. Alex Beaucage found Gabriel Fountaine along the point and the Eagles left winger blasted a slap shot past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 8:40 mark.

The Barracuda had a tough time generating any quality scoring chances in the middle frame as they were busy having to kill minor penalties for the majority of the period as they made three trips to the sin bin. They were out shot 12-8 by Colorado.

“As soon as we’d get going five on five, we’d take a penalty,” Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer said.

San Jose regained the lead on the power play in the third period. Joachim Blichfeld sent a shot on goal from the left slot that deflected off the leg of Reedy, who was camped out in front of the crease. John Leonard cleaned up the rebound depositing the puck into an open net for his second goal of the season at the 7:16 mark.

Once again Colorado was able to even the score. On a delayed penalty call, Sikura circled around from behind the net and found a streaking Jordan Gross in the right slot and he buried a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 10:25 mark.

The Barracuda went up by a goal late in the period as they scored their second power play goal of the game. Nick Cicek sent a pass down to Sasha Chmelevski from the right point. Chmelevski found Nick Merkley open in the slot and Merkley snapped home a one-timer past Annunen for his second goal of the season at the 16:32 mark.

Colorado didn’t go away quietly as they scored eight seconds later to tie the game for a third time. Off the ensuing faceoff, Defenseman Ronald McKeown sent a slapshot from center ice that took a favorable bounce off the boards over to Mikhail Maltsev who sent in a quick wrist shot from the left faceoff circle top shelf into the left corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

“Right off the next shift. They throw it around…it was a bad play on our part. We should’ve just stayed in the net. He (Melnichuk) came out and it kinda took our mojo away but we had chances on the four on three (power play in overtime), but not that outcome I wanted,” Sommer said.

Annunen finished the night stopping 26 of 30 shots he faced to earn his first victory of the season. Melnichuk made 31 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 2-for-5 on the power play. Colorado went 1-for-6.

UP NEXT: San Jose travel up to Stockton to take on the Heat on Sunday 10/31 at 5:00pm.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Power play goals help Cuda in second win of season

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San Jose Barracuda goaltender Zach Sawchenko (35) stopped 45 of 47 shots against the Colorado Eagles on Sat Oct 23, 2021 at Budweiser Event Center in Loveland (photo from the Colorado Eagles)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (2-1-0-0) who were in Loveland Colorado on Sat Oct 23rd to face off with the Colorado Eagles (0-3-1-0) scored two power play goals in their narrow 3-2 win.

#2 Marko, Would what you allude to one of the reasons for the win for the Barracuda is that they have seen a lot of the Eagles in pre season and you see a team enough you can figure them out and put together a win.

#3 It was the season debut for Zach Sawchenko and he stood on his head for the most part of the game stopping 45 of the 47 shots that he faced.

#4 Marko San Jose were 0-7 to start the season on the power play but on Saturday night were able to convert two of three goals on the power play what had coach Roy Sommer having these guys do differently?

#5 The Barracuda face off against the Eagles on Friday night at SAP Center in San Jose for the Barracuda’s home opener how important is it for the Barracuda to take full advantage of home ice?

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