Category: San Jose Barracuda

Barracuda Retaliate, Beat Monsters 1-0 In OT

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Photo credit: San Jose Barracuda

By Alexandra Evans

CLEVELAND, OHIO—After a slow, 4-1 loss against the Cleveland Monsters on Saturday October 21, the San Jose Barracuda refused to be devoured a second time the following afternoon and came out on top with a 1-0 overtime win in Cleveland.

During the first period, the Monsters outshot the Barracuda 12 to 4, who came back to outshoot them 18 to 17 just before the 45-minute mark. Neither team managed to score any goals during each of the four power plays. Cleveland did notch a few posts in the second period, but San Jose goaltender Antoine Bibeau was vastly determined to not let his team be devoured once again, and he successfully blocked every shot fired at him.

Because the game remained scoreless all three periods and nearly the entire overtime interval, San Jose’s defensive game (and Bibeau’s net minding game) evidently remained strong throughout.

It was the timing of the [only] goal scored which blew viewers out of the park. Defenseman Mike Brodzinski retrieved a pass from forward Adam Helewka (a player with solid hand-eye coordination, puck handling, passing, and quick decision making skills) in the offensive zone. From there, Brodzinski notched a buzzer-beating goal on Cleveland’s Matiss Kivlenieks with 1.1 seconds left in the game. This was 22 year-old Brodzinski’s first career AHL goal in 20 career games.

San Jose only put up four total penalties during Sunday’s match, compared to seven on Saturday’s.

With 28 total saves, Bibeau earned his first win as a member of San Jose’s franchise and his 11th professional shutout. Kivlenieks blocked 21 shots of 22 for Cleveland.

San Jose is now 3-3, and Sunday’s win put Cleveland at 2-3. The Barracuda will face the San Antonio Rampage in their home state on Friday, October 27, 2017.

Monsters Devour 4-1 Win Over Barracuda

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Alexandra Evans

CLEVELAND, OH—The San Jose Barracuda traveled to the Midwest to face the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, on Saturday, October 21, where they fell 4-1.

The offensive lines and defensive pairs stayed the same as they had the previous game against Stockton, with one small change; forward John Martin stepped in for Bryan Moore on the line with Colby McCauley and Tim Clifton. The lines were as follows:

Offense:

  • Adam Helewka, Danny O’Regan, Rudolfs Balcers
  • Marcus Sorensen, Alexander True, Brandon Bollig
  • Brandon Mashinter, John McCarthy, Filip Sangberg

Defensive pairings:

  • Jacob Middleton and Julius Bergman
  • Cavan Fitzgerald and Nick DeSimone
  • Radim Simek and Mike Brodzinski

Troy Grosenick started in goal for San Jose.

The match had a slow start to begin with; 35 seconds into the first period, Cleveland’s Carter Camper effortlessly made his way past the Barracuda’s defense and fired a shot over Grosenick’s shoulder, giving the Monsters a 1-0 lead off the bat.

In the second period, the Monsters brought the lead up to 2-0 when John Ramage scored 12:56 minutes in. The Barracuda had sufficient opportunity to score on the power play, which Helewka came close to; however, Monsters goaltender Brad Thiessen was clearly in a “hail Mary” mindset and successfully blocked the shot.

Bollig notched San Jose’s only goal of the game a few seconds before the two minute mark of the third period. Middleton and Sorensen provided the assists. However, Cleveland came back when Miles Koules scored a power play goal, followed by Tyler Motte successfully taking advantage of the open net with 53 seconds left in the game.

The Barracuda took three penalties in the first period, one during the second, and another three in the third, which Coach Roy Sommer has referred to as “bad decisions.” Additionally, Grosenick failed to stop three shots out of 21, while Thiessen stopped 18 shots out of 19.

The Barracuda are now 2-3 and will face the Monsters again tomorrow (Sunday, October 22) in Cleveland.

Stockton Brings Heat, San Jose Defeats 5-2

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Photo credit: San Jose Barracuda

By Alexandra Evans

SAN JOSE—The Barracuda came back from two consecutive losses (on October 13 and 14) tonight after a 5-2 win against the Stockton Heat, their second victory over the team this season.

Stockton forward Andrew Mangiapane scored the first goal of the game, almost 18 minutes into the first period. San Jose’s Brandon Mashinter retaliated by scoring less than two minutes later with only 22 seconds remaining.

Mashinter, left winger and AHL veteran, was paired on the offensive line with center John McCarthy and right winger Filip Sandberg, who scored the final goal of the game with just under four minutes remaining. Mashinter provided an assist for Sandberg’s goal.

“You could see today [Mashinter had] a lot of great plays,” Sandberg said after the match. “This was the first game I played with him, but I thought it was really fun. [There was] a lot of hard work out there. On [my] goal, we had a good forward check and he gave it to me, and I just shot it into the goal. “[Mashinter is] a really nice player to have on your team.”

McCarthy, another AHL veteran, added that the trio’s confidence built as the game progressed.

Forwards Danny O’Regan, Adam Helewka, and Rudolfs Balcers played in harmony as O’Regan notched two goals (he now has a total of four between both games against Stockton this year). Helewka and Balcers assisted each one.

“I feel more confident,” Helewka said. “Playing with Danny O’Regan always helps, he is a great player. [O’Regan and Balcers] are two highly skilled players; they find you in open ice.”

O’Regan referred to his two goals as “beneficiary” plays from Helewka and Balcers (an AHL first-timer).

“[Helewka] is very creative, a creative guy and skilled,” O’Regan said. “I like the way he plays; I played with him a lot last year and I think we go well together.”

The Barracuda got swooped by the Grand Rapids Griffins 7-4 in the home opener, and Stockton had beat them 4-0 prior to tonight’s match. This feat seemingly had Coach Roy Sommer thinking about how the evening would end.

“I knew we had to play better than we did over the weekend,” Sommer said. “We’re still not there yet, we still have a lot to do on our own end; it is not where it should be. Look at the two goals [Stockton] scored, point blankers. I don’t think we gave them two of those all year [last season], so we’ve got to get better on our own end… we’re leaving on a good note.”

San Jose Barracuda Podcast with Ana Kieu: Barracuda look to end two game loss streak against Stockton

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sjbarracuda photo: The San Jose Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick (1) gets the call in goal against the Stockton Heat Wednesday night at SAP Center in San Jose

On the Barracuda podcast with Ana Kieu:

. Last week, you predicted the Barracuda would win 5-4 over the Griffins. What went wrong?

2. The Barracuda didn’t waste any time as they hosted the Rampage in an afternoon matinee. They also dropped that game 3-2. What are your three takeaways from that game?

3. The San Jose Junior Sharks hosted a Girls Give Hockey-A-Try event on October 8. You’re a girl, what are your thoughts on that unconventional event?

4. The Barracuda host the Heat on Wednesday before they kick off a five game road trip against the Monsters in Cleveland on Saturday. What do the Barracuda need to do to beat the Heat?

5. What are your predictions for Barracuda vs. Heat as well as the upcoming road trip?

Ana Kieu does the SJ Barracuda podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Late power play goal dooms Barracuda for second straight loss 3-2

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sjbarracuda.com photo: San Antonio Rampage goaltender Spencer Martin (30) and defenceman Josh Anderson (25), the San Jose Barracuda forward Flip Sandberg (43) jockey for position during Saturday afternoon’s matinee at SAP Center in San Jose in AHL action

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–Trying to rebound after an embarrassing home opener, the penalty kill woes continued for the San Jose Barracuda as the San Antonio Rampage scored a power play goal late in the third period for a 3-2 victory at SAP Center. It was the Barracuda’s second straight loss.

Andrew Agozzino scored the game winning goal for the Rampage with a 1:49 remaining in the third period on a power play goal for his second goal of the season. He knocked home a rebound from the right side of the net on a show by Jordan Schmaltz. San Jose’s Julius Bergman was a victim of a holding penalty with 3:12 left in the third period.

San Jose took control of the game in the 1st period when Alex True scored his first goal of the season on nice feed from Adam Helewka up the middle and beat goalie Spencer Martin top self. Marcus Sorensen got the secondary assist at 4:44 of the first period.

The Barracuda had a chance to increase their lead when Rampage defenseman David Warsofsky was in the sin bin for holding but Sorensen wasn’t able to put home an empty net chance after receiving the puck on a deflection in front of the net.

Just when it look like the Barracuda were going to escape the first period with a 1-0 lead, Rocco Grimaldi evened the scored at one with his first goal of the season when he was able to cash in on a 2-on-1 break when his linemate Andrew Agozzino fed him a cross ice pass that Grimaldi buried into the net beating Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau just six second before the end of the second period. Bibeau received the start after coming in to relieve starting goaltender Troy Grosenick the evening before.

Bibeau, who finished the game with 35 saves on 38 shots, stopped a point blank chance off a shot from Rampage forward Reid Petryk four and a half minutes into the second period after a shot from the point found the tape of Petryk.

The Barracuda missed out on a great opportunity to regain the lead when Nicholas Meloche went off for high sticking Brandon Mashinter that earned Meloche a four minute penalty. And 31 seconds later they had a 5-on-3 for almost a full two minutes when defenseman Duncan Siemens for slashing. The closest the came to scoring was when Julius Bergman hit a post with a slapshot from the point. The Barracuda only generated one shot on the entire power play opportunity.

“When you have a 5-on-3, 80 percent of the time you probably should score on those,” said forward Adam Helewka. “Yeah that was a key part of the game.”

The Barracuda regained the lead with 1:48 left in the 2nd period on a power play goal when Filip Sandberg tipped in a Bergman shot from the right point for his first goal of the season. Sandberg was in perfect position to tip home the puck as he was camped out in front of Martin. Meloche was in the sin bin after taking a slashing penalty.

Joe Colborne tied the game with his first goal of the season on the power play at 11:32 of the third/ period when he tipped in a shot from the point by Schmaltz. Sorensen’s holding penalty put the Rampage on the power play.

NOTES: Things got chippy in the third period when separate hits by Sorensen and Rampage’s Chris Butler created some shoving and pussy between the two teams.  No fights broke out and matching minors for roughing were distributed to San Jose’s Colby McAuley and San Antonio’s Felix Girard.

San Jose was out shot 38-18. They went 1/6 on the power play while San Antonio was 2/4.

NEXT UP: The San Jose Barracuda host the Stockton Heat on Wednesday 10/18 at 7pm at SAP Center.

Barracuda dominated by Griffins in home opener 7-3

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Photo credit: San Jose Barracuda (@sjbarracuda)

By: Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, CA – It was a banner raising night at the SAP Center. Unfortunately for the San Jose Barracuda, that was a good as it got. They came out flat and were out performed by the defending Calder Cup champion Grand Rapid Griffins 7-3. San Jose entered their home opener by commemorating their 1st Pacific Division title with a not so flattering effort from start to finish.

The Griffins were the ones that got off to a quick start with a goal just under 2 minutes into the 1st period as Dominic Turgeon scored his 2nd goal of the season with a wrist shot the beat goalie Troy Groesnick above his shoulder. Turgeon was left wide open in the slot after taking a nice feed from Axel Holmstrom. Matt Lorito was also credited with an assist.

Corey Elkins scores his 1st goal with just under 10 minutes left in the 1st period as he swiped in a rebound at 10:46 after a shot trickled toward the net off a broken stick by Ryan Sproul. Holmstrom received the secondary assist.

It got even worse for the Barracuda in the 2nd period. Griffins forward Turner Elson scored just 2 minutes in after taking a feed from forward Colin Campbell to give the Griffins a three goal lead. San Jose couldn’t stay out of the penalty box the rest of period and Grand Rapids made them pay for it. Power play goals a minute and fifteen second apart put the game out of reach. Lorito scored his 1st goal of the season by tipping in a shot from the point by center Ben Street at 11:16 and Matt Carey also netted his first on the season on a puck he also tipped in from a shot from the point by defenseman Joe Hicketts at 12:31.

“We have 10 rookies in the lineup, so there’s going to be growing pains, said head coach Roy Sommer after the game. “And it’s probably not going to be pretty. We were kinda reeling from the get go.”

Turgeon scored his 2nd goal of the night after taking a feed from Campbell who found him behind the night and stuffed it in past Antoine Bibeau at 4:41 of the 3rd period. Bibeau replaced Grosenick, who finished the night with 16 saves on 21 shots, in goal. Elson concluded the scoring for the Griffins after receiving a gift from Bibeau on a bad giveaway. Bibeau was attempting to clear the puck around the boards when it found Elson’s stick for an empty net goal.

The Barracuda avoided the shutout when Brandon Mashinter scored his 1st goal of the year when he received Jeremey Roy’s pass from the right point and rammed it home past Griffins goalie Jared Coreau at 7:55 of the 3rd period. Radim Simek scored his first goal just over 2 minutes later from 10 feet out after receiving a pass from Adam Helewka on a nifty 3-on-2 break. Brandon Bolig joined the party with his 1st goal of the season when his pass deflected off Turgeon’s skate and into the back of the net past Coreau, who finished the night with 23 saves on 26 shots.

NOTES: Barracuda right winger Manuel Wiederer suffered an upper body injury midway through the 2nd period was he was blindsided by a big hit at center ice. He has been ruled out of the lineup for tomorrow.

Fisticuffs: San Jose’s Tim Clifton and Grand Rapids’ Dylan Sadoway got into it with each other in the 1st period after Clifton dished out a hard check on Griffins’ Filip Hronek. SJ’s Jacob Midddleton and GR’s Matt Carey scuffled in the 3rd period.

San Jose was 0-4 on the power play while Grand Rapids was 2/4.

UP NEXT: The San Jose Barracuda take on the San Antonio Rampage tomorrow at 1:15pm at the SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda Podcast with Ana Kieu: One of the youngest teams in the AHL can the Barracuda be an impact in 2017

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 sjbarracuda photo: San Jose Barracuda forward Danny O’Regan (65) looks for the pass as the Grand Rapid Griffins defenceman (5) Robbie Russo looks on. They match up Friday night at SAP Center on Opening Night

On the SJ Barracuda Podcast with Ana:

1. What are your thoughts on Troy Grosenick’s return to the Barracuda?

2. Who do you think is the most underrated player on the team?

3. How do you feel about the Barracuda being one of the youngest teams in the AHL?

4. Which prospect will have the biggest impact with the Sharks this year?

5. Last but not least, what’s your prediction on tonight’s game against the Griffins?

Ana Kieu does the SJ Barracuda podcasts and Marko Ukalovich does the game night recaps at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with Joe Lami: Foster and Reid back but might be on limited basis; How Shanahan will prepare in Washington

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan looks on in the first half during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, September 21, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Rams won the game 41-39. (Terrell Lloyd via AP Images)

On the 49ers Joe Lami:

1 The 49ers who had a couple of close finishes matter of fact in overtime might be getting close to actually winning one of those games

2 Head coach Kyle Shanahan who prepares his team to the max on offense he had many offensive plays but it always seems like the opposition always seems to execute much better on defending that offense. Shanahan goes back to the chalkboard this Sunday to prepare the 49ers in Washington

3 Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster’s ankle is feeling a lot better he’s up for some playing time in Washington. It will be his first action since he injured his ankle back on Sep 10th.

4 Shanahan said he won’t use Foster for 60, 80, or so plays but Foster will be used on a limited basis

5 Safety Eric Reid will also be looking at limited time he was missed the last three games and is practicing this week. Reid could get in the line up on Sunday in Washington

Joe does the 49ers podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda Saturday game wrap: Barracuda overcome two goal deficit in 6-4 win over Heat in opener

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sjbarracuda.com photo: San Jose Sharks forward Brandon Marhinter (53) battles for the puck with the Stockton Heat’s defenceman Josh Heatley (3)

By Marko Ukalovich

The San Jose Barracuda overcame a 1st period 2 goal deficit to roll past the Stockton Heat 6-4 in their season opener at Stockton Arena. Andrew Mangiapane blasted a slap shot past Troy Grosenick from the left wing on a three-on-two at 7:46 to break the deadlock. At 17:35, the AHL’s Rookie of the Year from a season ago Danny O’Regan evened the score on a backdoor tap-in after a perfect cross-ice feed from Filip Sandberg. 20 seconds later, Garnet Hathaway recaptured Stockton’s lead as he beat Grosenick with a backhand-to-forehand move on the breakaway.

In the second, the Heat extended its lead to 3-1 a minute and 59 seconds into the period as Mangiapane collected his third point of the evening by setting up Mark Jankowski on the power play. After that point, San Jose weathered four more Stockton power plays and O’Regan jammed home his second of the game to get the Barracuda back within one at 11:24. Rudolfs Balcers cashed in on a loose puck atop the crease at 13:15 for his first pro goal, tying the game on the power play after Gillies had initially denied O’Regan’s close-range hat-trick bid.

In the third, tied at 3-3, San Jose took its first lead of the night when Stockton failed to clear the puck from their own end, and Adam Helewka found Marcus Sorensen in the low slot at 6:07. At 5:43, Joe Cramarossa tied the score on a point-shot rebound, but Manuel Wiederer gave San Jose the lead back on the penalty kill as he picked off a pass and beat Gillies through the five-hole on a breakaway at 13:36. Helewka sealed the win with an empty-netter at 18:52.

Grosenick (1-0) earned the victory by making 23 saves on 27 shots, while Gillies (1-1) took the loss after allowing five goals on 26 shots.

NEXT UP: The San Jose Barracuda take on the defending Calder Cup Champion Grand Rapids Griffins in their home opener on Friday October 13th.

San Jose Barracuda Saturday post game wrap: San Jose gets OT goal from Helewka for first pre season win 2-1

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sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda left winger Adam Helewka (46) takes the puck past two Stockton Heat defenders on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center on Saturday

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–What a difference a day makes. The San Jose Barracuda rebounded less than 14 hours after their terrible pre-season debut to win a thrilling 2-1 game in overtime over the visiting Stockton Heat at the SAP Center. San Jose’s Adam Helewka scored the game winner with less than a minute left in overtime. Helewka used some nifty stick handling to maneuver around defenders before he wristed a shot past Heat goalie Mason McDonald.

The Heat got on the board first with exactly 11 minutes left in the second period when Joel Lowry was able to clean up a rebound from a Spencer Foo shot near the right point that Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau initially stopped but wasn’t able to corral the rebound as the puck trickled through his legs that Lowry was able to tap past him for the 1-0 lead.

The Barracuda were on the verge of their second straight shutout until Manuel Wiederer scored just over a minute into the 3rd period. It was McDonald’s first test after he came into the 3rd period replacing starting goalie Tyler Parsons, who left after the 2nd period. Parsons finished with 16 saves, including a couple of point blank chances, before being replaced by McDonald.

McDonald took the loss after allowing two goals on 13 shots in 20 minutes and 46 seconds of action. Bibeau earned the win by making 24-of-25 saves. Both teams were unsuccessful on their power play opportunity in the first period.

NEXT UP: The San Jose Barracuda begin their regular season on the road at the Stockton Heat next Saturday October 7th at 6pm.