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Tucson Roadunners Nathan Smith skates into the San Jose Barracuda zone during his team’s 5-1 win at Tucson Convention Center Arena on Friday DEC 1, 2023. (Tucson Roadrunners)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Tucson Roadrunners scored four goals in the first period as they blew out the San Jose Barracuda 5-1 on Friday evening at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four games and had its two-game winning streak on the road snapped. Tucson has won three out its last four games.

Tucson (11-6-1-1) drew first blood on a penalty shot in the second minute of the game. Ehtan Frisch crosschecked Josh Doan into the back of the net while Doan was on a breakaway. Referee Jim Curtin rewarded Tucson with a penalty shot Doan into the net backhand 1:34 mark.

Doan skated in and beat ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona with a backhander shot top shelf for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Doan scored his second goal while the Roadrunners had the man advantage just past the midway point of the opening frame. Dylan Guenther found Doan along the left slot and the native of Scottsdale, Ariz. sniped home a one-timer past Chrona for his ninth goal of the season at the 11:02 mark.

Tucson scored its third unanswered goal of the period thanks to the ‘Cuda not being able to clear the puck out its own zone. Jan Jenik slipped a pass over to Zach Sanford who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his first goal in a Roadrunners sweater at the 17:29 mark.

Travis Baron made it 4-0 with 1:01 remaining in a nightmare first period for the ‘Cuda. Baron beat Chrona with a wrist shot on the short side for his second goal of the season after receiving a pass from Aku Raty.

San Jose (5-9-4-0) played on its heels during that opening 20 minutes as they only had a season low three shots on goal in a period as they were outshot 15-3.

The Roadrunners scored it second power play goal early in the second period. Victor Soderstrom blasted a slap-shot from the point that beat a screened Chrona for his third goal of the season at the 5:07 mark.

The ‘Cuda spoiled Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta’s shutout bid early in the third period with a power play goal. Nathan Todd sent a rink-wide pass down to Ethan Cardwell who skated past the Tucson defense to go in all alone on net before he deposited the puck past Villalta for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:04 mark.

Villalta (10-5-1) stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced to earn the victory. Chrona (1-5-2) made 30 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Tucson went 2-for-5.

Tucson snapped a five-game losing streak against San Jose.

‘Cuda forward Bradon Coe celebrated his 22nd birthday.

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

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-game series on Saturday 12/2 at 6:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose Barracuda’s Thomas Bordeleau (#17) celebrates with his teammates one of the five goals against the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena on Wednesday NOV 29, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda finally broke the desert curse.

The ‘Cuda scored three power play goals in route to a 5-3 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday evening at Acrisure Arena. It was the first win for the ‘Cuda against the Firebirds in their history as Coachella Valley won all 10 games last season against them in its inaugural season.

San Jose snapped a two-game losing streak. Coachella Valley has lost two of its past three games.

Coachella Valley (9-7-0-0) drew first blood at the halfway mark of the first period on the man advantage. Devin Shore roofed a wrist shot 22 seconds into the power play past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his second goal of the season at the 13:39 mark.

San Jose (5-8-4-0) even the game with its first power play goal at the midway point of the second period. Leon Gawanke found Danil Gushchin near the left faceoff circle and Gushchin deposited a wrist shot to the far side past Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger for his team leading sixth goal of the season at the 10:15 mark.

The Barracuda gained the lead with 40 seconds left in the middle frame with a 5-on-3 power play goal. Thomas Bordeleau’s shot from the point was redirected by Nathan Todd through the five-hole of Driedger for his second goal of the season.

San Jose cashed in the second penalty, that had 53 seconds left on it, to begin the third period for its third straight power play goal. Cole Cassels found Gawanke at the point and the German defenseman blasted a one-timer past Driedger for his third goal of the season.

Gawanke finished the game with a three-point night, his first in a ‘Cuda uniform.

Scott Sabourin scored the ‘Cuda’s fourth unanswered goal just over five minutes later. Jacob Peterson fed Sabourin, and his shot pinballed off a Firebirds defender past Driedger for his second goal of the season at the 5:59 mark.

Logan Morrison scored an even strength goal for Coachella Valley at the 13:32 mark. Morrison’s fifth goal of the season cut the lead to 4-2.

The Firebirds made it a one-goal game late in the game with a power play goal. Cameron Hughes scored his third goal of the season at the 17:31 mark.

Peterson squashed any comeback attempt by Coachella Valley with an empty net goal with 39 seconds, his fourth goal of the season, remaining to seal the deal for San Jose.

Makiniemi (1-2-0) finished the game stopping 31 of the 34 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season. Driedger (6-5-0) made 30 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort. It was Driedger’s first loss against San Jose.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for-5 on the power play. Coachella Valley went 2-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Todd 2) Gawanke 3) Peterson.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its three-game road trip with a two-game series with the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday 12/1 at 6:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Ontario Reign’s Kevin Connauton and San Jose Barracuda’s Nathan Todd battle in front of the net at Tech CU Arena on Saturday NOV 25, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Ontario Reign erased a two-goal deficit with four unanswered goals to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose finished their seven-game homestand with back-to-back losses. Ontario have won four in a row and have points in eight consecutive games as they swept the two-game series.

San Jose (4-8-4-0) drew first blood early in the first period on its first shot in the game. Leon Gawanke fed Jacob Peterson in the Reign zone. Peterson skated into the middle where his shot deflected off of Wyatte Wylie’s leg past Reign goalie Erik Portillo for his third goal of the season at the 2:37 mark.

Peterson’s second goal in three games snapped a 188:54 shutout streak by Ontario.

The Barracuda doubled its lead with an even strength goal just under six minutes later. A shot from the point by Bradely Marek was initially saved by Portillo he never secured the puck as it laid loose near the crease. Danil Gushchin who cleaned up the rebound for his fifth goal of the season, his first since being reassigned to the ‘Cuda, at the 8:09 mark.

Ontario (11-4-1-1) were shellshocked by the ‘Cuda’s quick start and did not play with a disciplined manor as they took two penalties late in the opening frame.

The Reign cut the deficit in half early in the second period fresh off a penalty kill. A shot from the point by T.J. Tynan was picked up at the crease by Samuel Fagemo who deposited a wraparound past ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona for his seventh goal of the season at the 1:48 mark.

Fagemo scored the equalizer, his second goal of the game, late in the middle frame while the teams were playing 4-on-4. Fagemo cruised by the net after taking a pass from Tynan. His initial shot was stopped by Chrona but Fagemo’s rebound attempt caromed off of Chrona into the back of the net for Fagemo’s team leading eighth goal of the season at the 18:08 mark.

Fagemo has caught fire for Ontario with three multiple goals games in his last four contests.

Ontario went ahead seconds after killing off a penalty to start the third period. A giveaway inside the Reign zone by the ‘Cuda led to an odd man rush counterattack. Andre Lee found Akil Thomas with a rink wide pass and he buried a one-timer past Chrona for his third goal of the season at the 1:37 mark.

Brandt Clarke concluded the scoring with an empty net goal, his fifth of the season with 28 seconds remaining in the game to ice the game for Ontario.

Portillo (5-1-0) finished the game stopping 40 of the 42 shots the ‘Cuda peppered him with to earn the win. Chrona (1-4-2) made 27 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Fagemo 2) Gawanke 3) Tynan.

UP NEXT: San Jose finished the month of November when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 11/29 at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.

The Ontario Reign bench celebrates one of the three goals they scored against the San Jose Barracuda at Tech CU Arena on Friday NOV 24, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Ontario Reign might want to change their name to the blanks or zeroes.

The Reign took down the San Jose Barracuda in a 3-0 shutout victory on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost three of its past five games. Ontario has won three games in a row, with three consecutive shutouts, and have points in seven straight games.

Ontario (10-4-1-1) drew first blood on the power play past the halfway mark of the first period. Alex Turcotte made touch pass back to Akil Thomas up near the point. Thomas sent a rink wide pass over to Samuel Fagemo who buried a one-timer past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:50 mark.

San Jose (4-7-4-0) were busy on the penalty kill during the opening frame as they weren’t able to establish their forecheck with only generating four shots on goal.

The Barracuda dominated the second period as they outshot the Reign 15-8. Despite having Ontario on their heels for the majority of the period, San Jose had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard as Reign goalie David Rittich kept the puck from going in during the middle frame.

“We knew they were a stingy team defensively,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy regarding his team being shutout. “We knew were going to have to work for our (scoring) chances. I think we did have some chances on par with what that team gives up.”

Ontario doubled its lead 24 seconds into the third period. A shot from the right side by Brandt Clarke was redirected by Turcotte for his fourth goal of the season. Taylor Ward picked up the secondary assist.

San Jose was behind the eight ball when Ontario had a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play advantage when Thomas Bordeleau and Jacob Peterson both went off for high sticking at the 6:59 mark. However, Makiniemi and the penalty kill kept the deficit from growing any larger.

“Our (penalty) kill has been good the last stretch here. Everybody bought in. I thought we had some big blocks on that (5-on-3), kinda got the bench into it,” McCarthy said.

TJ Tynan, who leads the AHL in assists with 15, scored an empty netter with 1:32 remaining in the game for his second goal of the season to ice the game for Ontario.

Rittich (6-3-2) stopped all 32 shots he faced to earn his third shutout of the season. Makiniemi (0-2-0) made 20 saves on 22 shots in the losing effort after making his first since being called up from Wichita.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. Ontario was 1-for-5.

Ontario has outscored their last three opponents 13-0.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Turcotte 2) Rittich 3) Fagemo.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Ontario conclude their two-games series on Saturday 11/25 at 2:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose Barracuda forward Justin Bailey (#90) celebrates a goal with his teammates during his team’s 5-1 win over the San Diego Gulls at Tech CU Arena on Tuesday NOV 21, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda scored four goals in the second period en route to a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Gulls on Tuesday night at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose snapped a two-game losing streak. San Diego suffered its season worse 12 straight loss (0-9-3) after winning its first two games.

San Jose (4-6-4-0) drew first blood early in the first period on the power play. Cole Cassels sent a shot in from the point. Justin Bailey made a backhand pass back into the crease where Thomas Bordeleau tapped it home past Gulls netminder Calle Clang for his fourth goal of the season at the 5:46 mark.

Despite outshooting San Jose by a two-to-one margin (12-6), San Diego (2-9-3-0) weren’t able to get a puck by ‘Cuda netminder Georgi Romanov in the opening frame.

The Barracuda doubled its lead with its second power play goal at the 7:00 mark. Leon Gawanke centered a pass over to Jacob Peterson who buried a one-timer past Clang for his second goal of the season.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal 27 seconds later thanks to a gift by San Diego. Olen Zellweger turned over the puck to Brandon Coe right in front of the net. Coe snuck a backhander past Clang for his fifth goal of the season at the 7:27 mark.

“Obviously it’s good to get the two points,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy regarding his team’s overall performance. “A couple of things I’d like to cleanup. I’d like to see us close out the game a little bit firmer than we did. But wins have been hard to come by, so I’m happy for the guys.”

The Gulls broke the seal on the power play thanks last season’s Barracuda captain. Andrew Agozzino’s wrist shot from up by the point beat Romanov up high for Agozzino’s second goal of the season at the 10:00 mark.

Boredleau scored his second goal of the game Ethan Cardwell’s attempted pass hit off the skate of Zellweger and ricochet off the shoulder of Bordeleau for his fifth goal of the season at the 15:07 mark.

“It feels good, I mean I got a couple of bounces, (was) lucky to be at the right place at the right time. Our whole line played really good, so it was easy to count on things going our way,” Bordeleau said.

San Jose scored its fourth goal of the middle frame Cardwell cleaned up a rebound off a shot by Peterson that was initially saved by Clang. Cardwell’s fourth goal of the season came at the 18:34 mark.

Former ‘Cuda defenseman Trevor Carrick found Pavol Regenda right along the crease as he buried home a point-blank shot for his team leading ninth goal of the season at the 10:13 mark of the third period.

San Diego cut the Cuda lead to two when Nathan Gaucher scored into an open net when Jacob Perreault centered the puck right to the tape of Gaucher’s stick right in front of the crease at the 13:56 mark. It was Gaucher’s second goal of the season.

Carrick scored the Gulls third unanswered goal of the period when he wired in a wrist shot from the point through traffic for his third goal of the season with 17 seconds left in the game.

Romanov (3-2-2) finished the night stopping 26 of the 30 shots he faced to earn his third victory of the season. Clang (1-5-2) gave up five goals on 24 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. San Diego was 1-for-3.

‘Cuda Winger Ozzy Wiesblatt left the game during the first period after throwing a big hit with an injury and did not return to the game. There was no further update regarding his condition.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Bordeleau 2) Cardwell 3) Peterson.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Ontario Reign for a Thanksgiving weekend two-game series on Friday 11/24 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Colorado Eagle Cedric Pare checks San Jose Barracuda Tanner Kaspick into the benches at Tech CU Arena on Saturday NOV 18, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Callahan Burke scored the game winning goal 1:07 into the overtime period to give the Colorado Eagles a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

On a delayed penalty, a pass against the boards found Burke’s stick and he fired a shot for the game winner for his second goal of the game.

San Jose has lost three out of its past four games. With the sweep, Colorado have won three out of its past four games.

Colorado (8-5-3-0) drew first blood late in the first period with an even strength goal. A shot from the left wing by Tanner Kero was initially saved by ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona but Wyatt Aamodt swooped in from the left and wrapped around the puck into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season at the 16:12 mark.

Despite out shooting Colorado 11-9 in the opening frame, San Jose (3-6-4-0) were down by one at the first intermission as Eagles goalie Justus Annunen kept them off the scoreboard.

The Eagles doubled its lead late in the second period thanks a bad giveaway by Leon Gawanke inside his own zone. Burke cleaned up the rebound on a Cedric Pare shot as he roofed a point-blank shot past Chrona for his first goal of the game and of the season at the 14:03 mark.

San Jose cut the lead in half near the end of the middle frame with an even strength goal from their fourth line. Brett Kemp centered a pass over to Bradley Marek who beat Annunen with a one-timer for his first career AHL goal at the 18:02 mark.

Thomas Bordeleau scored the equalizer at the halfway mark of the third period on a great individual play. On an odd man rush, Bordeleau carried the puck into the Eagles’ zone. He waited for an Eagles defenseman to bite on his fake before beating Annunen to the far side with a wrist shot for his third goal of the season at the 9:37 mark.

Annunen finished the game stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced to earn back-to-back victories. Chrona made 31 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Colorado was 0-for-3.

San Jose has lost nine consecutive games to Colorado dating back to last season.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Burke 2) Bordeleau 3) Marek.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the San Diego Gulls on Tuesday 11/21 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.