Category: San Jose Barracuda

sjbarracuda.com photo: The Grand Rapids Griffins Kyle Criscuolo (51) jockeys for position against the San Jose Barracuda’s Dan Kelly (46) as Cuda goaltender Troy Grosenick (1) defends the net in the final meeting of the two clubs at Grand Rapids game five of the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs

By: Eric He

This season, the San Jose Barracuda advanced as far as they’ve been in franchise history. But their campaign ended one round shy of their ultimate goal, and three wins shy of the Calder Cup Final.

With a 4-2 loss at Grand Rapids on Saturday night, the Barracuda’s season concluded in the Western Conference Final, dropping the series 4-1 to the Griffins.

It wasn’t for lack of effort. The Barracuda peppered the opposing net with 41 shots, out-shooting the Griffins in each period. But Grand Rapids jumped ahead early with two goals on just nine first period shots.

In fact, San Jose found itself trailing just 24 seconds in. Matt Lashoff took a pass from Tyler Bertuzzi and buried the one-timer past Troy Grosenick to give the Griffins a 1-0 lead. They doubled the advantage late in the period on Matt Ford’s shot that went off the post and in.

Timo Meier got the Barracuda on the board in the second period, but went into the third period still trailing by two goals as Matt Lorito punched in a power play goal on a rebound.

Grand Rapids extended its power-play goal scoring streak to 11 straight games, while the Barracuda went o-for-4 on the man advantage.

Lorito scored once more less than five minutes into the third period to extend the Griffins’ lead to three goals. Danny O’Regan got it back for the Barracuda, but with time winding down in the third, there would be no season-saving comeback.

sjbarracuda.com photo: The Grand Rapids Griffins center Kyle Criscuolo (51) and San Jose Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick (1) anticipate a shot on Friday night in Grand Rapids

By: Eric He

The San Jose Barracuda allowed four goals in the second period and fell 6-2 to Grand Rapids on Friday in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The Barracuda now trail 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, and must win on Saturday in Game 5 to keep their season alive.

The Barracuda were doomed by a four-goal second period. They led 1-0 after the first period, but were dominated in the second. Tyler Bertuzzi evened the score four minutes in, putting home a rebound. Five minutes later, Eric Tangradi gave the Griffins the lead, powering his way to the net from beyond the goal line.

The Griffins found paydirt twice more in the period. Tomas Nosek scored a power play goal, and then Martin Frk netted home a breakaway score to give Grand Rapids a 4-1 advantage.

San Jose cut the lead in half just briefly in the third period when Adam Helewka scored on the power play, ripping a host in off the left post. But Ben Street upped the advantage back to three goals at 5-2 just 50 seconds later on a breakaway. Evgeni Svechnikov gave the Griffins another insurance goal late in the third to put the game out of reach.

Troy Grosenick stopped 30 of 36 shots in the loss. The Barracuda were just 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Griffins scored twice in eight opportunities on the man advantage.

Game 5 is Saturday night in Grand Rapids, where the Barracuda must win to stay alive.

sjbarracuda photo: The Grand Rapid Griffins center Ben Street (10) battles for the puck with San Jose Barracuda defensemen Mirco Mueller (41) and Dan Kelly (46) as Cuda goalie Troy Grosenick sets up to defend the net during game three last Wednesday in Grand Rapids of the third round of the AHL Calder Cup Series

On the SJ Barracuda Podcast with Len:

1.The Cuda picked up a bench minor to start game three on Wednesday night at Grand Rapids before the puck was ever dropped for having a different starting line up on the ice than what was on the line up card.

2.The Barracuda’s John McCarthy started the game with a first period goal at 5:19 McCarthy has had a good offensive season in helping out the club.

3.Game four is tonight it’s pretty crucial for the Cuda as they will face a tough Grand Rapids Griffins goalie in Jerod Careau. Careau allowed two Cuda goals last game but it was enough to help get the Griffins a two goal win 4-2.

4.Cuda goalie Troy Grosenick has had his successes in post season but last Wednesday in game three was not what he had in mind allowing four Griffins goals in the 4-2 loss

5.Ryan Carpenter has a tem leading nine goals in post season he’s no doubt been key for the Barracuda offense he’ll be tested tonight in Grand Rapids

Len does the Barracuda podcasts during the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

sjbarracuda photo: (57) Nick DeSimone  rightwinger of the San Jose Barracuda left and (10) Ben Street center of the Grand Rapids Griffiths chase the puck in game three of the AHL Calder Cup Series in Grand Rapids on Wednesday night

By: Eric He

The San Jose Barracuda couldn’t hang on to a third period lead, allowing three unanswered goals to Grand Rapids as the Griffins won 4-2 in Game 3, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.

Ahead 2-1 heading into the third, the Barracuda were dominated in the third, allowing three goals on 16 shots. On a power play, Matt Lorito tied the game for Grand Rapids, putting home a rebound on a power play. Then, with under five minutes to go, Mitch Callahan untied the game, poking in a loose puck by Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick. The Barracuda couldn’t find an equalizer, and Tomas Nosek sealed Grand Rapids’ win with a empty-net goal.

Up until the third, things were going relatively smoothly for the Barracuda. John McCarthy scored a little more than five minutes into the game, stealing the puck in the offensive zone and finishing the goal to put San Jose up 1-0. Nathan Paetsch tied the game at 1-1 with a low shot past Grosenick, but Ryan Carpenter gave San Jose the lead again just a minute later.

The Barracuda were outshot 16-8 in the third and 44-32 in the game. They were also 0-for-2 on the power play.

Trailing 2-1, San Jose must win on Friday in Game 4 at Grand Rapids to avoid falling into a big hole in the series.

sjbaracuda.com photo: What a difference a day makes after losing game one on Saturday the SJ Barracuda with rightwinger Ryan Carpenter (40) and leftwinger Barclay Goodrow (23) celebrate after scoring against the Grand Rapids Griffiths at SAP Center on Sunday night in game two of the AHL Calder Cup Series

By: Eric He

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Barracuda got back in the win column and got their power play back on track in a 4-2 victory over Grand Rapids in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday.

After going 0-for-6 in a 3-1 loss in Game 1 on Saturday, the Barracuda converted three times on five power play opportunities on Sunday. It propelled them to a much-needed victory to even up the best-of-seven series at one game apiece as it shifts to Grand Rapids.

Before the end of the first period, the Barracuda had already struck gold twice on the man advantage. Julius Bergman opened the scoring less than four minutes in, and Ryan Carpenter tipped home the second power play goal to put San Jose up 2-0.

But Grand Rapids fought back to even the score. After Tomas Nosek cut the lead in half before the end of the first period, Matt Ford scored the game-tying goal seven minutes into the second period on the power play, taking a pass from Ben Street and one-timing it past Troy Grosenick.

That would be it for the scoring for the Griffins, however.

San Jose soon regained the lead late in the second period, with the power play coming through again. Joakim Ryan hammered in a shot from the point to give the Barracuda a 3-2 advantage. Barclay Goodrow added an empty-netter to seal the deal in the third.

Grosenick made 33 saves for the Barracuda, who held Grand Rapids to 1-for-4 on the power play.

The series continues with Game 3 on Wednesday in Grand Rapids.

sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda leftwinger Adam Helewka (52) and the Grand Rapid Griffiths center Kyle Criscuolo (51) anticipate the puck in Saturday’s game one action at SAP Center in San Jose

On the Barracuda Podcast with Len:

#1 After sweeping three games in San Diego the Barracuda came home Saturday night and dropped game one of third round to the Grand Rapids Griffiths who look like the Cuda’s toughest challenge in post season 3-1.

#2 The Cuda who took two regular season games from the Griffith including a 1-0 shutout on March 11th. The Cuda are attempting to tie up the series at 1-1 and it’s crucial if the Cuda want to maintain home ice if they can get to the Finals.

#3 The Barracuda’s Ryan Carpenter has eight goals in post season no doubt Carpenter has been a big help for SJ in these post season games

#4 In game one the Griffiths have shown they can be dominate taking a two goal win and holding the lead all the way through game one they came back from behind in the second period of game two after being down 2-0 and tied up the game 2-2. Joakim Ryan got a key goal for San Jose late in the second period as the Cuda took a one goal lead 3-2.

#5 If the Barracuda have any shot at getting home ice for the finals they have to win and keep winning during this series looking at the Griffiths their going to be a handful for the Barracuda

sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda’s Dan O’Regan is on his backside as the Grand Rapid Griffiths take the Barracuda out of their game winning game one 3-1 at SAP Center on Saturday night

By: Eric He

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Barracuda marched into uncharted territory on Saturday night, playing their first game in the conference finals in franchise history — but they’ve now surrendered home ice advantage after falling 3-1 to Grand Rapids.

The Barracuda played from behind all game. They managed just one fewer shot than the Griffins, but were 0-for-6 on the power play, failing to capitalize on chances to close the gap.

They dug themselves a two-goal hole early. Mitch Callahan lit the lamp first for Grand Rapids less than seven minutes into the game, finishing off a pass from Eric Tangradi. Three minutes later, Ben Street converted the Griffins’ second goal on a jam play in front.

San Jose closed a 2-0 gap 41 seconds later courtesy of Kevin Labanc, but that would be the only Barracuda shot to find the back of the net.

Following a scoreless second period, Grand Rapids went back up by two goals midway through the third, when Kyle Criscuolo deflected in a shot by Street.

If the Barracuda want to advance to the Calder Cup, they’ll first have to reclaim home ice advantage, and that starts with a win on Sunday in Game 2 with a  5:00PM face off at SAP Center.

sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda celebrate their win last Saturday in San Diego to advance to round three against the Grand Rapids Griffiths which starts this Saturday at SAP Center

On the Barracuda podcast with Nick:

#1.  Nick talks about Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick’s success during the season and post season

#2 In the last series the Cuda had taken a 1-1 series tie to San Diego that says a lot about the team after dropping game one as the Cuda rallied around each other

#3 The Cuda had two OTs in that series that tells us a lot about how the defense has kept them in close games

#4 Grosenick got the club a shutout last Saturday for a 2-0 win and to move  the Cuda onto the next series with Grand Rapids. Grosenick had 34 saves and Nick talks about the win and the shutout

#5 The Cuda open the first of two games on Saturday night against the Griffiths Nick talks about the value of having home ice for those first two games

Nick Nollenberger is the San Jose Barracuda play by play announcer in his first year with the team listen to the Barracuda podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda advance on Saturday night with a 2-0 shutout over the San Diego Gulls at Valley View Arena in San Diego in game five of the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs

By: Eric He

The San Jose Barracuda will continue their chase for the Calder Cup after defeating the San Diego Gulls 2-0 in Game 5 to close out the series four games to one and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

San Jose will face Grand Rapids in the next round.

It is the first conference finals appearance in the history of the franchise, and a significant accomplishment for long-tenured head coach Roy Sommer.

The Barracuda were able to weather an aggressive start by the Gulls and jump out to a 1-0 lead after one period courtesy of Barclay Goodrow, who opened the scoring for the second straight game. Taking a feed from Jacob Middleton on the rush, Goodrow netted his fourth goal of the postseason and a big one for San Jose.

Despite strong chances for San Diego on the power play to open the second period, it was the Barracuda who struck on the man advantage to double their lead. Six minutes into the second, Adam Helewka found paydirt on a rebound in front to give San Jose a 2-0 lead.

It was a lead they would hold on to for the remainder of the game as the Barracuda blanked the Gulls, who were facing elimination. Troy Grosenick fended off all 34 shots he faced and stood tall in the third period as he and the penalty kill didn’t let anything in on a five-minute major penalty. In all, the Barracuda were 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Shots were 35-34 in favor of San Diego, but the Barracuda were outshot 10-6 in the third. But they defended well enough and scored just enough to record the win, and move on to the next round.

Game 1 of the conference finals against Grand Rapids will be next Saturday at SAP Center.