Category: Uncategorized

Calgary Wranglers Defenseman Jonathan Aspriot (#48) tries to jam home the puck past San Jose Barracuda goalie Magnus Chrona during the Wranglers 4-2 win at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday MAR 29, 2024. (Calgary Wranglers)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Calgary Wranglers scored three unanswered goals to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 4-2 on Friday evening at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

San Jose has dropped three out of its past four games as it anchors the Pacific Division. Calgary won its second game in a row and is 5-3-1-1 in its last 10 games.

Calgary (34-23-5-3-76 points) needed just 49 seconds into the first period to draw first blood. Clark Bishop caromed the puck off of the boards to Rory Kerins who then banked the puck off of ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona into the back of the net for his 13th goal of the season.

It was Kerins’ first goal in his last eight games.

The Wranglers doubled its lead late in the opening frame with a power play goal. William Stromgren sent a pass back up to the point and Jeremie Poirier quick one-timer went off the glove of Chrona for a fluky goal, Poirier’s third goal of the season at the 17:12 mark.

Ben Jones scored the Wranglers’ third unanswered goal early in the second period. Mitch McLain skated down the right wing before finding Jones with a backdoor pass as the Calgary center buried the puck into an empty net for his 21st goal of the season at the 5:48 mark.

San Jose (20-32-9-2-51 points) finally broke through with 21 seconds left in the middle frame with a power play goal. Cole Cassels was in the right place at the right time. A pass over to Kyle Rau bounced off of him and right over to Cassles who beat Wranglers goalie Connor Murphy for his 10th goal of the season.

With Chrona pulled for an extra attacker late in the third period, Adam Klapka ended any comeback attempt by San Jose when he scored an empty net goal, his 20th of the season at the 17:51 mark.

Brandon Coe completed the scoring with 12th goal with 1:03 remaining in the game. Ethan Cardwell and Jack Studnicka recorded assists on Coe’s fourth goal in his last five games.

Murphy (3-2-2-1) finished the night stopping 27 of the 29 shots he faced to earn back-to-back victories for the first time this season. Chrona (5-16-4) made 28 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Calgary was also 1-for-3.

San Jose is now 4-2 against Calgary in the season series.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Poirier 2) Kerins 3) Murphy.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Calgary conclude their two-game weekend series on Sunday 3/31 at 12:00pm at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

San Jose Barracuda defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (#85) dives to the ice to swipe the puck away from Ontario Reign forward Colton Young during the Reign’s 3-2 victory at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday MAR 27, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Taylor Ward scored the game winning goal for the Ontario Reign in the third period as they defeated the San Jose Barracuda 3-2 on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost two out of its last three as it finished 2-2 on its homestand. Ontario has won four games in a row. The Reign are tied with the Tucson Roadrunners for second place in the Pacific Division with 77 points.

San Jose (20-31-9-2-51 points) drew first blood on the opening shift of the game. Danil Gushchin threaded a pass between two Reign defenders over to Brandon Coe and the ‘Cuda winger beat former San Jose Sharks goalie Aaron Dell with a wrist shot top shelf to the far side for his 11th goal of the season 15 seconds into the first period.

The Barracuda doubled its lead late in the opening frame. Cole Cassels used a backhand pass from the behind the net to center the puck out to Nathan Todd who made one move inside before sliding the puck past the five-hole of Dell for his 17th goal of the season at the 13:04 mark.

Ontario (35-21-3-4-77 points) cut the lead in half early in the second period with an even strength goal. Tyler Madden sent a pass up to the Barracuda blue line over to Charles Hudon. The Reign forward made a touch pass over to Akil Thomas who skated in an beat ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona with a wrist shot top shelf for his 22nd goal of the season at the 6:44 mark.

San Jose had a two-man advantage for 1:16 just past the halfway mark of the middle frame when Madden and Brandt Clarke went to the sinbin for hooking but Ontario was successful in killing off both penalties.

The Reign evened the score with a power play goal late in the second period. TJ Tynan intercepted a clearing attempt by Jack Thompson along the left boards. Tynan centered a pass over to a trailing Hudon who blasted a one-timer past Chrona for his 20th goal of the season at the 18:53 mark.

“They (Ontario) are a good second period team. We haven’t been as of late. We’ve looked at it, we’ve talked about it, and we out and did it again. And it cost us the game,” ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy said.

Ontario gained its only lead of the game late in the third period thanks to a turnover by the Barracuda in the neutral zone. Martin Chromiak led the counterattack as he sent a cross ice pass over to Ward who rifled in a one-timer from just outside the faceoff circle past Chrona for his eighth goal of the season at the 16:22 mark.

“They’re an opportunistic team. They got some guys that can score. So, we can’t spot them grade-A chances and unfortunately, we did, and it ended up in our net,” McCarthy said.

Dell (6-3-1-1) finished the game stopping 32 of the 34 shots he faced as he kept San Jose off the scoreboard in the final two periods to earn his sixth win of the season. Chrona (5-15-4) made 24 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Ontario was also 1-for-2.

‘Cuda right winger Akim Aliu has a chance to play on this upcoming road trip as his conditioning is ramping up for his return to the ice according to McCarthy. “Obviously it’s been a while since he’s played. We’re kind of slow playing it as far as getting his conditioning back up. We’re looking at the (upcoming) road trip, probably not the beginning part of it, but we’ll see where were at (with Aliu).”

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Ward 2) Coe 3) Hudon.

UP NEXT: San Jose starts a five-game road trip on Friday 3/29 as the take on the Calgary Wranglers at 12:00pm at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

San Jose Barracuda forwards Cole Cassles (#60) and Nathan Todd (#45) celebrate Cassels goal in the second period during the Barracuda’s 4-0 win at Tech CU Arena on Sunday MAR 24, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda scored three power play goals and goalie Eetu Makiniemi stopped all 27 shots he faced in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Tucson Roadrunners on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose split their weekend series with its second win in three games. Tucson fell back down to earth as they have lost two of their last three games. It was only the third time the Roadrunners have been shutout this season.

The Barracuda (20-30-9-2) drew first blood late in the first period with its first power play goal of the game. Kyle Rau threw the puck in front of the crease as the puck laid loose in front of a sea of traffic. Danil Gushchin dug out the puck and buried it into the back of the net for his 15th goal of the season at the 18:36 mark.

Tucson (36-21-3-2) only generated six shots in the opening frame that was dominated by San Jos who outshot them by eight with a 14-6 margin.

San Jose doubled its lead with its second power play goal late in the second period. Gushchin led a rush up the ice and sent a pass far side over to Cole Cassels along the right slot. Cassels wrist shot deflected off a Roadrunner defender through the five-hole of Roadrunners goalie of Dylan Wells for his ninth goal of the season at the 17:35 mark.

Oskar Lindblom scored the ‘Cuda’s third unanswered goal, an even strength one, just before the halfway mark of the third period. Shakir Mukhamadullin centered a pass through the crease as Lindblom’s first attempt was saved by Wells. The veteran forward cleaned up his own rebound for his eighth goal of the season at the 8:47 mark.

Tucson was never able to establish any offensive rhythm as they were busy going to the sinbin throughout the game as they took nine penalties, most of them undisciplined, that allowed San Jose to have a sustained forecheck.

Ethan Cardwell got back on the scoring sheet with San Jose’s third power play goal of the game just under three minutes later. Tristen Robbins sent a no look rink wide pass over to Cardwell who blasted a one-timer past Wells for his team-leading 19th goal of the season at the 11:37 mark. Cardwell has goals four of his past five games.

Things became chippy in the final two minutes of the game with two fights and a total of nine players between both teams given 10-minute misconducts with 1:53 remaining. There was a total of 148 combined penalty minutes between the two teams.

Makiniemi (8-8-0-3) had a relatively easy afternoon as he earned his third shutout of the season with his 27 saves. Wells (8-5-2-1) made 36 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for 9 on the power play. Tucson was 0-for-5.

San Jose is now 2-4 against Tucson in the season series.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Gushchin 2) Mukhamadullin 3) Makiniemi.

Who let the dogs out? The Barracuda had their annual Pucks and Paws Day as 3,982 showed up with their canine friends.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes their four-game homestand when they host the Ontario Reign on Wednesday 3/27 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose forward Tanner Kaspick (#41) pinned Tucson Roadrunners defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok up against the boards during the Roadrunners 3-1 win at Tech CU Arena on Saturday MAR 23, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Tucson Roadrunners scored three unanswered goals in the final 21 minutes to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost four of its past five games. Tucson has won five of its past six games.

San Jose (19-30-9-2-47 points) drew first blood 48 seconds to start the game. Danil Gushchin picked up his own rebound before centering the puck into the middle where Brandon Coe beat Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta with a low wrist shot for his 10th goal of the season.

It was the quickest San Jose has scored a goal to open a game.

Tucson (36-20-3-2-77 points) despite having two power plays could not put a dent in the scoreboard even though they outshot San Jose 16-12 in the first period.

‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona, who made his first since being sent back down to the Barracuda, made two big saves in the first five minutes of the opening frame, including robbing Milos Kelemen of a point-blank chance right in front of the crease.

The second period featured a couple of close calls. First, Cole Cassels muffed on an empty net bid where the puck ended up in the glove of Villalta five and half minutes into the second period. Then Ben McCartney breakaway attempt hit off the post at the halfway mark.

San Jose weren’t able to capitalize on 64 seconds of a 5-on-3 power play opportunity with under six minutes remaining in the middle frame as Tucson’s penalty kill were able to kill off both penalties.

Tuscon evened the score with a power play goal late in the period. Jan Jenik skated between two ‘Cuda defenders before finding Josh Doan in the left slot and Doan roofed home a wrist shot past Chrona for his team leading 26th goal of the season at the 19:36 mark. It was Doan’s 10th power play goal, which leads all rookies in the AHL.

The Roadrunners gained its first lead of the game early in the third period. Jenik cruised down the left side boards as he left a drop pass for Colin Theisen who skated in a beat Chrona with a wrist shot top shelf for his sixth goal of the season at the 5:10 mark.

Kolyachonok iced the game for Tucson with an empty net goal from inside his own blueline 1:27 remaining in the game for his eighth goal of the season.

Villalta (26-15-3-3) finished the game stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his 26th win of the season. Chrona (5-14-4) made 35 saves on 37 in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Tucson was 1-for-3.

San Jose is 1-4 in the season series with Tucson.

Ethan Cardwell had his three-game goal streak snapped.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Doan 2) Coe 3) Villalta.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-game weekend series on Sunday 3/24 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose Barracuda defenseman Valtteri Pulli (#77) reacts to the puck being cleared out of his zone while San Diego Gulls forward Ben King (#14) looks on during the Barracuda’s 6-4 win at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday MAR 20, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda scored two goals in the third period to break a 4-4 tie en route to a 6-4 victory over the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday morning at Tech CU Arena.

Both teams played in front of a packed house, 3,983, as it was the annual ‘Cuda Kids Classroom Day at the arena where students from all over the area attended the game.

San Jose snapped its three-game losing streak. San Diego is 2-3 in their last five games as both teams anchor the Pacific Division.

San Diego (22-27-8-0) drew first blood with an even strength goal past the halfway mark of the first period. Nick Wolff sent in a long pass into the Barracuda zone. Brayden Tracey centered a backhand pass from behind the net out to Josh Lapina who beat ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his 12th goal of the season at the 12:29 mark.

San Jose (19-29-9-2) answered back late in the opening frame with two goals in 39 second span. First Valtteri Pulli sent the puck back up to the point to Nikolai Knyzhov who blasted a slapshot past Gulls goalie Calle Clang for his third goal of the season at the 18:07 mark. Nathan Todd provided a good screen on Clang who never saw the shot.

Then the line of Danil Gushchin, Brandon Coe and Tristen Robins connected for a tic-tac-toe goal at the 18:46 mark. Gushchin led the rush up into the Gulls zone while dropping off the puck over to Robins along the left wing who then set up Coe who beat Clang with a wrist shot to the short side for his ninth goal of the season.

The Gulls responded back with the two goals early in the second period in less than a 90 second span. Trevor Carrick scored his seventh goal of the season on the power play at the 6:34 mark. Glenn Gawdin and Ben King recorded assists on the play.

Then at the 7:53 mark, former ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino set up Nikita Nesterenko for the rookie forward’s 15th goal of the season with an even strength goal.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer at the 9:15 mark when Robins scored his fourth goal of the season. Both Knyzhov and Pulli recorded assists on Robin’s goal for their second points of the game.

It only took the Gulls 19 second to respond for its second lead of the game. Nathan Gaucher scored his seventh goal of the season on the very next shift. Tracey had his second assist of the game.

That ended the morning for Romanov as he was replaced by Eetu Makiniemi by ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy. Romanov gave up four goals on 11 shots.

Just like the in the first period, the ‘Cuda regained the lead late in the second period with an even strength goal. Rookie left winger Joe Carroll scored his 12th goal of the season at the 18:54 mark.

San Jose regained the lead early in the third period with an even strength goal. Shahir Mukhamadullin set up Ethan Cardwell with a centering pass and Cardwell tapped the puck home into an empty net for his team-leading 18th goal of the season at the 3:35 mark.

The ‘Cuda scored an insurance goal late in the final frame. Newly acquired defenseman Jack Thompson’s shot from the point was redirected by Mukhamadullin top shelf past Clang for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:19 mark.

Makiniemi (7-8-0-2) stepped up his game as he finished the afternoon stopping all 30 shots he faced to earn his seventh win of the season. Clang (9-12-4-0) gave up all six goals on 41 shots in the losing effort.

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

San Jose is 3-0 against San Diego in the season series.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Mukhamadullin 2) Coe 3) Knyzhov.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its four-game homestand on Saturday 3/23 as they host the Tucson Roadrunners at 2:00pm at Tech CU Arena.