Category: San Jose Barracuda

By Ben Leonard
Follow @ben___leonard

photo credit: San Jose Barracuda–San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer break the all time win record in the AHL with his 637th career win on Wednesday night against the Ontario Reign 4-2

SAN JOSE, Calif. —

After eighteen seasons as a coach in the American Hockey League, it’s about time San Jose Barracuda coach Roy Sommer got to wear his barracuda hat. The cap is literally a big fish, apparently a barracuda, but probably actually a koi, and is emblazoned with countless jewels and charms.  A “mail-order barracuda,” Sommer called it. Fit for a king.

The honor of wearing such a hat is only bestowed upon the player of the game, but tonight, his team finally honored him with the right to wear it. Wednesday night, Sommer surpassed legendary AHL coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Fred “Bun” Cook with his 637th career win, a 4-2 victory over the Ontario Reign.

It had been a long time coming — the Barracuda had dropped eight of their previous nine games, making Sommer wait what seemed like an eternity for his right to wear that hat.

A native of nearby Oakland, Sommer briefly played for the Edmonton Oilers before making it into coaching. He started his career as an assistant with the Sharks, sticking with the organization becoming a head coach in the AHL. He coached the Cleveland Barons, the Worcester Sharks, and the Kentucky Thoroughblades (all San Jose affiliates) throughout his 18-year career.

“It’s an honor,” Sommer said Wednesday. “You look at all the guys who have coached in the American Hockey League. You think back on the people you’ve worked with and the trainers, and how the organization stuck with me. It’s something to do it with the same organization, and that’s what makes me proud.”

The ever-humble Sommer has been very nonchalant about the win chase throughout the process, even after getting the big win Wednesday. “We’re just putting another season in. What I liked most about it was that we’re back in a playoff spot — I was looking for that more than we win. A big thing for me is that after everyone’s been talking so much about it, that it’s finally done.”

What made the win even better for Sommer was that his ‘Cuda did it against the best team in the league. Ontario (28-10-3-1) had won nine straight games coming into today, and were stopped in their tracks by Barracuda goaltender Aaron Dell, who made a whopping 50 of 52 save attempts.

“This was one I’ll remember, being at SAP and in the Bay Area and getting to win it here, Sommer said. “That’s special. I’ll remember all the guys in the room.”

Barracuda captain Bryan Lerg felt sorry for Sommer because his team had taken so long to get Sommer his win. The team had been playing tighter, desperately trying to get that win, so much so that it probably made his wait longer.

Why did his team push so hard? Lerg and the rest of the team has seen much more of Sommer than the yelling that most fans observe from the sidelines. “He’s obviously a great coach, but most people don’t get to know how great of a person he is,” Lerg said. “That’s the best part about him. He has a great family and fits in great with us, and lets us have our fun. When you’re winning with Roy, it’s a great time. That’s why guys play hard for him.”

Now that the long, drawn-out chase is over with, Sommer said he’s going to go home wearing that hat and have a well-deserved beer. But after that, in typical Sommer fashion, it’s “back to business.”

By Joe Lami

photo credit: San Jose Barracuda–SJ Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer becomes winningest coach in AHL history on Friday night in San Antonio

San Jose Barracuda head coach, Roy Sommer made AHL history on Saturday night in San Antonio, recording his 636th career win as the ‘Cuda toped the Rampage 4-3. The win also snapped a six-game losing streak for San Jose forcing Sommer to sit on win 635 for the past two weeks.

Sommer, now in his 18th season behind the bench as the San Jose Shark’s minor league coach tied Fred Cook as the all-time winningest coach in AHL history. He has also coached the most games at the AHL level with 1,385 under his belt. Sommer hasn’t been wanting to make too much of a big deal about the impressive record, setting his eyes more on how the team is doing in the standings, currently third in the Pacific division with 46 points in 41 games.

San Antonio jumped on the board early and often, taking a 2-0 lead within the first seven minutes of the contest thanks to goals from Brandon Gormley and Marc-Andre Cliche.

However, the Barracuda answered with four straight up their own. Three of which came on the power play, a season high total for San Jose. Ryan Carpenter scored his ninth of the season with just over six minutes remaining in the opening frame.

John McCarthy kicked started the second with a power play marker just .21seconds in. Ryan Carpenter picked up his second point of the night on McCarthy’s fifth goal of the year. Ben Smith scored his first goal as a member of the Barracuda three minutes into the third period to give San Jose a 3-2 lead.

Petter Emauleson scored the game-winning goal with six minutes remaining in the contest. Emanuelson’s sixth of the year was the only even-strengthed tally of the night for the ‘Cuda. Ben Smith also earned an assist on the goal to give him a multi-point night.

Aaron Dell stopped 23 pucks on his seventh win of the season.

Sommer hopes to become the winningest coach in AHL history, as he goes for 637 on February 4th, as the Barracuda come off of the All-Star break against the Ontario Reign.

By: Joe Lami

photo credit: San Jose Barracuda–SJ Barracuda edge the Ontario Reign 2-1 at SAP Center Saturday

SAN JOSE, Calif.- For the second night in a row the San Jose Barracuda fall to the Pacific division leading Ontario Reign. On Saturday night, the Reign prevented head coach Roy Sommer from tying the all-time AHL wins record with a 2-1 victory in San Jose. The loss also creates six points of separation between first and second in the Pacific.

The Reign jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 12:31 of the first period. Kurtis MacDermind netted his third of the season on a shot from the left point that dinked off the left post and in. Nic Dowd picked up his first of two assists on the play.

San Jose found the equalizer four minutes later. Trevor Parkes scored his ninth of the season going five-hole on Peter Budaj, who picked up his 22 victory of the season.  The beautiful play was set up by Bryan Lerg, who handed the puck to Parkes in the slot. Jeremy Langlois earned the other assist on the lone goal for the ‘Cuda.

“A lot of it has to do with their goalie. When he needed to make a save he did,” Sommer commented.

Sean Backman scored the game winner with just .49 seconds left in the first period. Michael Mersch and Dowd picked up the helpers on the goal.

Ontario played stellar defensive hockey the rest of the way, especially in the third period where they allowed just two shots from San Jose. “They really lock it down. That’s a fact. They know how to protect a lead and give credit to their coach, but we got to find a way to beat them,” said Lerg.

Ben Smith played his second AHL game of the season after being sent down by the Sharks on Friday. He cleared the waivers process in time to suit up for the Barracuda. Smith finished a -2 in the contest, playing with Nikolay Goldobin and Scott Timmins. Smith, however, was just happy to get back on the ice and play and hopes to get his game where in needs to be to get back to the NHL, “I want to play and just control what I can control right now. Getting my game back to where it needs to be and tonight’s a start. I’m just looking forward to getting more ice time, more shifts and more games in,” he added.

by Jerry Feitelberg

photo by Google Images

slider photo: San Jose Barracuda–Barracuda were short finding the back of the net against Bakersfield Monday afternoon

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Barracuda, currently residing in second place of the Pacific Division, faced-off against the fourth place Bakersfield Condors. The Condors, who are the NHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, scored three times in the first seven minutes of the game. The Barracuda played well in the second and third periods but could not overcome the three-goal deficit and fell to the Condors 5-3 before a holiday crowd of 5872 fans. Had the Barracuda won the game, coach Roy Sommer would have won his 636th game, which would have tied hime for most wins by an AHL coach.

The first period did not go well for the San Jose Barracuda. The Bakersfield Condors outplayed the ‘Cuda for the first seven minutes of the game scoring tree times and driving starting goalie Troy Grosenick to the bench. The Condors scored the first goal of the game with just one minute and five seconds played.  Ryan Hamilton scored his ninth of the year. Hamilton got the puck just outside the Condors’ zone and with the Condors had a two on one.Hamilton chose not to pass, and his shot beat Grosenick for the score.The Condors scored again with 3:58 played on a power play. Left winger Alex Gallant went to the penalty box for delay of game, and the Condors’ Rob Klinkhammer scored his second of the year. Assists went to Nikita Nikitin and Tyler Pitlick. Pitlick scored his second of the year with six minutes and fifty-eight seconds played. Klinkhammer and Joshua Winquist assisted. San Jose coach Roy Sommer decided to change goalies. Aaron Dell replaced Grosenick. Grosenick saw six shots on goal and allowed three goals.The Barracuda outshot the Condors fifteen to eleven, but  trail 3-0 after 20 minutes of play.

The Barracuda played much better in the second period. They cut the deficit to 3-1 when Ryan Carpenter put the puck past Condor goalie Eutu Laurikainen for the Barracuda’s first goal of the game. Barclay Goodrow and Petter Emanuelsson assisted on the play. Bakersfield increased the lead to 4-1 late in the second period. Joshua Winquist scored on a four-on-three power play. Assists went to Jordan Oesterle and Andrew Miller. The Barracuda outshot the Condors 12-9 in the period and 26-21 overall so far in the game.

The Barracuda outscored the Condors 2-1 in the third pereiod but it wasn’t enough as they lost 5-3. The Condors took a 5-1 lead early in the third period on a short-handed goal by Rob Klinhammer. It was Klinkhammer’s second goal of the game. The Barracuda came back and scored on a power play. Defenseman Karl Stollery beat Laurikainen for the tally. Ryan Carpenter and Petter Emanuelsson assisted. Bryan Lerg notched his tenth goal of the year when he took a pass from Trevor Parkes and was able to put it in the net for the score. The Barracuda outshot the Condors 19-6 in the final period and 45-27 overall but found themselves on the short end of the score 5-3.

Game Notes- Aaron Dell replaced Troy Grosenick in goal early in the first period. Troy Grosenick started for San Jose but was ineffective. Coach Sommer replaced him after seven minutes of play. Dell played fifty-three minutes and allowed just two goals keeping the Barracuda in the game.However, San Jose could not overcome the three-goal deficit and lost their eleventh game of the year. Their record is now 18-11-4-3. Next games for the Barracuda include an away game with the Ontario Reign on Friday January 22nd at 7 pm and a home game in San Jose on Saturday, January 23rd.

 

 

By: Ben Leonard

photo credit: San Jose Barracuda: SJ Barracuda drop a close one in overtime in Iowa to the Wild Saturday night

All season long, we’ve been watching San Jose Barracuda (18-10-4-3) head coach Roy Sommer’s win total to see when he’d reach the all-time AHL record for coaching wins — 636 set by Fred “Bun” Cook. He almost tied Cook’s record, until a quick Iowa Wild  (10-25-2-3) goal in overtime kept him just one win short in a 2-1 loss — 635 will just have to do for now.

The Barracuda still haven’t suffered a regulation loss in its list nine contests, and appear poised to help Sommer tie and pass Cook in the very near future. The ‘Cuda take on the Bakersfield Condors on Monday, and the Ontario Reign on Friday.

“Cuda right winger Trevor Parkes scored first for both squads, breaking the scoreless game two minutes into the second period with his seventh goal of the season. Parkes was assisted by Gus Young and Bryan Lerg on a difficult quick shot, helping the Barracuda take a 1-0 lead into the third period. ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell had saved 31 shots in those first two periods — until the Wild struck back.

Center Jordan Schroeder picked up his ninth goal of the season, beating Dell on a very close shot after several rebounds to tie the game with just over fifteen minutes left to play in the contest. Dell would go on to save the rest of the shots, giving him 44 in regulation — until overtime came around.

The first chance the Wild had, it cashed in — Gustav Olofsson took the team’s first shot in regulation, and kept Sommer waiting by beating Dell in the top of the net with his first goal of the season.