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Real Salt Lake’s two goals in the second half bury Earthquakes 3-1

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Real Salt Lake celebrate their win over the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at America First Field on Saturday APR 22, 2023. (Major League Soccer)

by Marko Ukalovic

Real Salt Lake scored two goals in the second half to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 on Saturday evening at America First Field.

San Jose had its four-match unbeaten streak snapped with the loss and are winless on the road this season (0-3-1). Real Salt Lake has won two of its past three matches.

RSL (3-5-0) drew first blood in the 39th minute. Danny Musovski led a three-on-one odd man counterattack. He found Jasper Löffelsend who beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski with a shot just underneath the crossbar for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (4-3-2) scored the equalizer early in the second half off a set piece. A free kick by Christian Espinoza in the 49th minute deflected off Rubio Rubin just inside the left post for team-leading sixth goal of the season.

“I thought we were in it,” said ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez about the match. “I thought we responded well the second half getting the early goal. For moments, I thought they showed some moments of quality and were putting away their chances, whereas we didn’t.”

Real Salt Lake regained the lead five minutes later. Andrés Gómez found Jefferson Savarino along the left wing. Savarino made a move inside before firing a shot to the far corner of the net for his team-leading third goal of the season in the 54th minute.

RSL put the game away in the 80th minute with an insurance goal. Bryan Oviedo centered a ball into the middle where Gómez made one touch before firing a shot past Marcinkowski for his first goal of the season.

“We pride ourselves on being a compact team, a team that doesn’t allow chances to be created through those this year, but they were able to find a way to do it. I think it’s about keep doing what we’ve been doing. I know it was a little bit too spacious. We could’ve been tighter between our lines and maybe could’ve prevented it, but I think they have fast players and good players that can hurt you in those moments,” ‘Quakes captain Jackson Yueill said.

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath made two saves on three shots on target to earn the victory. Marcinkowski made three saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with one corner kick. RSL had three.

The Quakes are now 14-14-12 all-time vs. Real Salt Lake, including a 5-8-7 record on the road.

UP NEXT:

Earthquakes dominate at home over Kansas City 3-0

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes. The Earthquakes celebrate a goal at home.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- In what was a very strong performance at home the Earthquakes came out and got the win over Kansas City 3-0.

JT Marcinkowski got the start for San Jose while Tim Melia was in between the pipes for Kansas City.

The match saw a quick strike from the quakes as Cristian Espinoza just nine minutes in scored on a beautiful cross from Cade Cowell.

Just before the end of the first half Jeremy Ebobisse scored on a penalty as Robert Castellanos was given a red card for a professional foul.

The second match started with more offense as Paul Marie found Ebobisse in the box who quickly deposited the ball in the net extending their lead to 3-0.

That goal ended up being the last of the match as the Earthquakes got a convincing home win.

With that win San Jose now finds themselves fifth in the western conference with four wins.

There were three yellow cards given out during the match with all three against San Jose. Possession also favored San Jose at 53.9% to 46.1%.

The final shots favored the Earthquakes 10-9 while shots on goal finished at 6-3 in favor of San Jose as well.

The Earthquakes next game will be against Salt Lake next Saturday on the road at 6:30 p.m.

Barracuda win season finale 4-2 over the Roadrunners, sweep final series

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The San Jose Barracuda enjoy their final game of the season with a 4-2 win over the Tucson Roadrunners at Tucson Convention Center Arena on Saturday APR 15, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Ending the season on a positive note is always good thing despite not accomplishing their main goal.

The San Jose Barracuda barely missed out on reaching the AHL Playoffs this season, but they went out with high hopes for next season with a 4-2 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners in their season finale on Saturday evening at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose ended the 2022-23 season with a record of 31-34-2-5 to finish the year with 69 points in eighth place in the Pacific Division under first year head coach John McCarthy. It was quite the improvement from last season where the ‘Cuda finished dead last in the AHL with just 46 points.

The Barracuda drew first blood 57 seconds into the second period when Danil Gushchin, who had a hot final two weeks of the season, scored an unassisted goal, his 22nd of the season. Gushchin finished the game with three points (1G, 2A).

Tucson (30-33-8-1-69 points) answered back less than six minutes later with an even strength goal. Michael Kesselring scored 15th goal of the season at the 6:13 mark. Milos Keleman recorded the only assist on the play.

San Jose regained the lead with 50 seconds left in the middle frame with an even strength goal. Kyle Criscuolo netted his 17th goal of the season. ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino and Gushchin set up Criscuolo’s goal.

The Roadrunners scored the equalizer early in the third perido when Michael Lomabardi scored his first goal in a Roadrunners uniform at the 4:28 mark. Micah Miller recorded his first point for Tuscon with the lone assist.

Nick Cicek scored the eventual game winning goal for San Jose with 40 seconds left in the final frame. Criscuolo and Guschin recorded assists on the game winner from Cicek.

CJ Suess completed the scoring with an empty net goal, his 10th of the season, with four seconds left in the game to seal the deal for San Jose.

‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann, who made his second consecutive start, finished the night stopping 22 of the 24 shots to earn back to back wins for the first time this season. Mann finished with a record of 8-7. Roadrunners goalie Tyler Parks was once again on the losing end as he made 32 saves on 35 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Tuscon was 0-for-6.

With the sweep of the series, San Jose won the season series over Tucson 5-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Cicek 3) Lombardi.

Sports Radio Service thanks the readership for checking out our coverage of the San Jose Barracuda this season and we look forward to providing coverage of the 2023-24 season that will include the AHL All-Star Weekend which will happen the weekend of February 4-5, 2024, in San Jose, California.

Gushchin’s two goals propel Barracuda to 4-3 win over Roadrunners

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San Jose’s Strauss Mann makes a save against the Tucson Roadrunners in his team’s 4-3 win at the Tucson Convention Center Arena on Friday APR 14, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Danil Gushchin scored two goals, including the eventual game-winner as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Tucson Roadrunners 4-3 on Friday evening at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose snapped its two-game losing streak with one more game remaining in the regular season. Tucson has lost six in a row earning just three points in their last six games (0-3-2-1).

What was supposed to be a battle for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division between the two teams, turned out to be meaningless games for both teams at the opening faceoff with Tucson clinching seventh place last weekend when it picked up a point in an overtime loss against the Texas Stars. It held the tiebreaker over San Jose with more regulation wins (25-22).

Tucson (30-32-8-1-69 points) drew first blood in the first period when Nathan Smith was left all alone in front of the crease where he used a forehand to backhand move to beat ‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann with a shot from point blank range. Smith’s 12th goal of the season came at the 7:45 mark.

San Jose (30-34-2-5-67 points) evened the score on the power play late in the opening frame. Gushchin found ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino with a back door pass that Agozzino tapped home into an empty net for his team leading 26th goal of the season at the 14:51 mark. By doing so, Agozzino set a new franchise record for the most goals in a regular season as he eclipsed the mark set by Barclay Goodrow during the 2015-16 season.

The Barracuda gained its first lead just under four minutes later with an even strength goal. This time Agozzino returned the favor as he set up Gushchin who skated in from the left wing and beat Roadrunners goalie Tyler Parks with a low wrist shot to the short side for his 20th goal of the season at the 18:38 mark.

Both teams played a tight checking second period as only a total of 13 shots were produced with each goaltender keeping the puck of its own respective nets.

Tucson evened the game 80 seconds into the third period. A giveaway by the ‘Cuda led to Josh Doan beating Mann with a wrist shot from close range for his third goal of the season.

San Jose regained the lead at the 7:52 mark with an even strength goal. Moments after their fifth power play ended a shot from the right slot by CJ Suess caromed off the end boards and deflected into the back off the net off a Roadrunner player’s stick that was camped out in front of the crease. It was Suess’s ninth goal of the season.

Gushchin scored his second goal of the game with the ‘Cuda on the man advantage just past the halfway mark of the final frame. Agozzino centered a pass out the faceoff circles where Gushchin blasted a slapshot past Parks for his 21st goal of the season at the 10:27 mark to give San Jose a much needed insurance goal.

Cameron Hebig gave the Roadrunners hope of a comeback when he scored a shorthanded goal at the 15:03 mark. Hebig cleaned up a big rebound off of a shot by Vladislav Kolyachonok for his ninth goal of the season.

Tucson’s had a chance at the end with a power play opportunity and Parks pulled for an extra attacker but their bid for the equalizer was thwarted when Steven Kampfer was called for a tripping penalty with 28 seconds remaining.

Mann (7-7) finished the game stopping 34 of the 37 shots to earn the victory. Parks (8-8-2) made 25 saves on 29 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-6 on the power play. Tucson was 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Agozzino 3) Ethan Frisch.

UP NEXT: San Jose play their season finale against Tucson on Saturday 4/15 at 7:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Racial slur accusation overshadows Earthquakes and Red Bulls 1-1 draw

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San Jose Earthquakes celebrate Christian Espinoza’s goal in the second half against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Saturday APR 7, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

An alleged racial slur used by one of the New York Red Bulls marred the match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the New York Red Bulls that ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at Red Bull Arena.

After a foul by Judson on Dylan Nealis in the 54th minute, the game was delayed by 18 minutes after a incident between Dante Vanzeir and Jeremy Ebobbise took place. Vanzeir was the player who allegedly used the racial slur toward one of the Quakes players.

Played resumed in the 72nd minute without any further disciplinary action by the officials.

San Jose (3-2-2) scored in the 80th minute when Carlos Gruezo sent in a long ball over to Christian Espinoza along the right wing. Espinoza made one move to the inside before firing a shot into the back of the net for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Espinoza has scored the last four goals for the ‘Quakes.

Due to the long delay, 21 minutes was added to the end of the second half.

The Red Bulls scored the equalizer in the 17th minute of stoppage when Tom Barlow cleaned up a rebound from close range for his first goal of the season.

Ebobbise was emotional after the game regarding the incident on the field.

“First of all, it’s a difficult game when we play the Red Bulls. We have a lot of respect for their style of play. We understand there is going to be a lot of duels and they go strong into the duels. At times, that results in late tackles on our end, and then on their end. That’s all part of the game. What we saw tonight should not be part of the game. I can’t correlate the various actions or the timeline that I’m going to lay out, but with what started with a foul that was being committed by Judson, fast forward a few minutes, seconds, and it ended with a racial epithet being used. Now, I understand there is going to be an investigation. I’ve been a part of those. I’ve had to support teammates through them. I have seen them, so I want to be mindful of that even as I share. I think what’s important for me to share is that I know what I heard. And the reason why I felt, after a lengthy conversation, that we should continue with the game is because the player who said the word claimed that it was not aimed at any of us. Whether that is a good faith comment or not, again, we’ll see how the investigation goes on. It’s just a difficult moment. Once again, players being put in charge, forced to make a decision, manage all sorts of emotions because the system is not robust enough to capture moments and gain clarity within a matter of minutes, seconds that these actions happen. I think what’s important is that the team was united in whichever step we move forward with. And that goes top to bottom, from coaches to players,” Ebobbise said.

‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez praised his team for how they handled themselves during and after the alleged incident.

“It’s unfortunate that the players and people near and on the field had to experience a 20-minute moment where, I can’t speak factually, but when I listen to my players in terms of what was said or not said, or who it was directed to, there are things that are unacceptable and very unfortunate, very disappointing, that take precedent over the game we play. I have to be really proud of our players to be together in solidarity, to talk, to decide and to obviously not accept what they heard. I don’t know what the next step is. I would hope the league will take this serious to the max degree in terms of an investigation and there being consequences, potentially indefinite consequences if the investigation supports what are players understood as being true. We as a club, myself as the head coach, and the staff are going to support the players, any step moving forward that the players want to act on, and we hope and count on the league, and the referee crew as well, in terms of investigating, coming down to the truth so that there can be actions that, don’t make it right, that’s for sure, but at least show that it’s unacceptable and the league will act on that based on our standard as a society and as being a top professional league in this country. Unfortunately, the game is in a shadow because of that situation because it’s less important.”

Both teams and MLS are aware of the incident that took place, and the league said in a statement that it will launch an investigation into the matter.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with four corner kicks. New York had five.

The Quakes are now 17-15-10 all-time vs. the New York Red Bulls, including an 4-11-7 record on the road. The result snaps a four-match losing streak against the club.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host Sporting Kansas City on Saturday 4/15 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Wiesblatt’s first career hat trick powers Barracuda to 6-3 win over Gulls

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San Jose Barracuda forward Ozzy Wiesblatt was the number one star in his team’s 6-3 win over the San Diego Gull at the Pechanga Arena on Wednesday APR 5, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO — It was a night to remember for Ozzy Wiesblatt.

The rookie forward scored his first ever professional hat trick as the San Jose Barracuda shot down the San Diego Gulls 6-3 on Wednesday evening at the Pechanga Arena.

San Jose gained a point on the Tucson Roadrunners, who lost to the Henderson Silver Knights in a 5-4 shootout, and trail four points behind for the seventh a final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with four games remaining. San Diego has lost eight of its last nine games as it sits in the anchor of the division.

San Diego (20-45-2-1-43 points) drew first blood early in the first period. Chase Priskie scored his sixth goal in a Gulls uniform when he beat ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell with a slapshot from the point at the 4:42 mark. Dylan Sikura and Benoit-Olivier Groulx set up Priskie’s 10th overall goal of the season.

San Jose 29-33-1-5-64 points) evened the score late in the opening frame. Shakir Mukhamadullin’s shot from the point was cleaned up by Artemi Kniazev with a backhander past Gulls goalie Gage Alexander for his fifth goal of the season at the 14:16 mark.

The Barracuda took control of the game in the second period scoring even strength goals. Adam Raska set up Danil Gushchin in the slot and the rookie forward spun around and wired a wrist shot past Alexander for his 18th goal of the season at the 5:31 mark.

Gushchin has been a busy guy as he’s been up and down between the Sharks and the Barracuda and has scored in back-to-back games for ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy.

Wiesblatt scored his first goal of the contest at the 12:27 mark. Nikolai Knyzhov set up Wiesblatt with a back pass at the left point and the former 2020 first round pick of the Sharks sniped home a wrist shot for his fourth goal of the season.

San Jose scored its fourth unanswered goal 59 seconds later with Gushchin’s second goal of the game. The native of Yakaterinberg, Russia skated along from the right boards back up to the point before sending a seeing-eye wrist shot past a screened Alexander for his 19th goal of the season. Mukhamadullin picked up his third assist on the play, recording his first ever multi-point game.

San Diego stopped the bleeding 33 seconds as Groulx lasered in a wrist shot from a tough angle for his 17th goal of the season at the 13:59 mark.

Wiesblatt recorded his second goal of the game late in the middle frame on a penalty shot. Ozzy skated in from left wing, paused before burying a wrist shot past Alexander for his fifth goal of the season at the 17:41 mark. It was the third penalty shot goal in franchise history for San Jose.

Priskie scored his second goal of the game with a power play tally 59 seconds into the third period. Sikura set up Priskie who beat Dell with a one-timer from the left slot for his 11th goal of the season.

Wiesblatt completed his hat trick at the 7:23 mark when he cleaned up a wraparound attempt from Kyle Criscuolo right in front of the crease for his sixth goal of the season.

Dell finished the game stopping 15 of the 18 shots to earn his the victory. Alexander made 35 saves on 41 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Gamer were: 1) Wiesblatt 2) Sikura 3) Gushchin.

UP NEXT: San Jose return home for their final two home games of the season as they host the Colorado Eagles on Friday 4/7 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Firebirds take down Barracuda in 4-3 shootout win, sweep season series

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Coachella Valley’s Max McCormick and Kole Lind celebrate a goal during their team’s 4-3 win over the San Jose Barracuda at Acrisure Arena on Monday APR 3, 2023. (Coachella Valley Firebirds)

by Marko Ukalovic

Cameron Hughes had the game winning goal in the fourth round of the shootout as the Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the San Jose Barracuda 4-3 on Monday evening at Acrisure Arena.

Coachella Valley won all eight games against San Jose this season as the Barracuda went 0-5-1-2 against the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate in ’22-’23. San Jose collected a point despite the loss and now trail the Tuscon Roadrunners by five points with five games remaining in the regular season. The Firebirds regained sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division with a one-point lead of the Calgary Wranglers.

It was San Jose’s best effort against Coachella Valley this season as the game went back and forth during the 60 minutes of regulation.

The opening 20 minutes featured a scoreless period. The Firebirds had two power play opportunities but weren’t able to capitalize on either chance as the Barracuda’s penalty kill kept Coachella Valley off the scoreboard. San Jose was only to generate four shots in the period.

Coachella Valley (46-14-4-2-98 points) drew first blood on the power play early in the second period. Max McCormick set up Kole Lind in the slot and Lind buried a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell for his team leading 29th goal of the season at the 3:45 mark.

San Jose (28-33-1-5-62 points) responded with an even strength just under three minutes later. Nathan Burke led a two-on-one odd man rush with Kyle Criscuolo inside the Firebirds zone. Criscuolo, who had scored his first NHL goal with the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night, made a move to the inside before firing a wrist shot past Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger for his 16th goal of the season at the 6:54 mark.

The Barracuda gained its first lead 35 seconds later. Adam Raska fed a pass over to Danil Gushchin, who also scored his first NHL goal with the Sharks two days ago against the Arizona Coyotes, made a similar move to Criscuolo’s going inside the middle as he beat Driedger with a wrist shot for his 17th goal of the season.

The Firebirds took advantage of their sixth power play in the game as they scored the equalizer early in the third period. Ryker Evans set up Hughes 18th goal of the season at the 2:45 mark.

Carsen Twarynski gave the Firebirds a 3-2 lead when he was able to poke the past Dell after he tried wrapping around the puck from behind the net for his 17th goal of the season at the 14:36 mark.

Andrew Agozzino scored the equalizer while making history with 19 second remaining in the period. With Dell pulled for an extra attacker a shot from the point by Shakir Mukhamadullin caromed off the boards and the ‘Cuda captain batted the puck out of the air with a backhander for his team leading 25th goal of the season. It matched the Barracuda’s franchise record for most goals in a season first set by Barclay Goodrow in 2015-16 season.

Dell made sure the game went to the shootout when he stopped McCormick with a breakaway attempt with under two minutes left in the overtime period. Then Dell made a save on a point blank shot by Lind with under a minute remaining. The best overtime chance for San Jose came when Agozzino’s wrist shot hit the post.

Driedger (7-3-0) finished the game stopping 19 of the 22 shots (and all three of the four shootout attempts) he faced to earn the victory. Dell (14-17-2) made 37 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NTOES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Coachella Valley went 2-for-7.

Coachella Valley has won eight straight games at home.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Hughes 2) Twarynski 3) Tye Kartye.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its four-game road trip against the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday 4/5 at 7:00pm at Pechanga Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda battle one of AHL’s toughest Firebirds tonight in Coachella

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The San Jose Barracuda’s Will Riedell (90) reaches in the net with his stick against the Texas Stars at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Sat Apr 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

On San Jose Barracuda podcast:

#1 The Texas Stars (36-18-9) scored four special team goals in the first period as they cruised to a 7-2 route of the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

#2 San Jose’s playoff hopes suffered a big blow as they sit six points behind the Tucson Roadrunners for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with just six games left in the regular season.

#3 San Jose (28-33-1-4-61 points) scored a power play goal of their own late in the opening frame. Martin Kaut set up Tristen Robins who beat Stars goalie Remi Poirier top shelf with a wrist shot for his 17th goal of the season at the 16:29 mark. Robins has scored in a back-to-back games for the ‘Cuda.

#4 Adam Raska closed out the scoring in the third period with his fourth goal of the season at the 8:41 mark. Will Riedell and Anthony Vincent, who picked up his first point in a ‘Cuda uniform, recorded assists on Raska’s goal.

#5 San Jose continues their four-game road trip when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds (45-14-4) on Monday 4/3 at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.

Join Marko Ukalovic for San Jose Barracuda podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stars special teams too much for Barracuda to handle in 7-2 win, split series

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The Texas Stars celebrate one of their seven goals against the San Jose Barracuda at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Saturday APR 1, 2023. (Texas Stars)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Texas Stars scored four special team goals in the first period as they cruised to a 7-2 route of the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose’s playoff hopes suffered a big blow as they sit six points behind the Tucson Roadrunners for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with just six games left in the regular season. Texas reclaimed first place in the Central Division as they jumped ahead of the Milwaukee Admirals by one point.

Texas (36-18-9-3-84 points) took advantage of San Jose’s three trips to the sin bin in the opening 20 minutes. Marian Studenic scored his 18th goal of the season with the Stars first power play goal of the game at the 3:16 mark.

Mavrik Bourque scored the Stars second power play goal, his 14th goal of the season at the 10:54 mark, as Will Butcher picked up his second assist of the period. Antonio Stranges was credited with the secondary assist.

Stranges scored Texas’ third consecutive goal on the man advantage just under two minutes later, his fourth goal of the season at the 12:14 mark, as Curtis McKenize picked up the only assist on the play.

San Jose (28-33-1-4-61 points) scored a power play goal of their own late in the opening frame. Martin Kaut set up Tristen Robins who beat Stars goalie Remi Poirier top shelf with a wrist shot for his 17th goal of the season at the 16:29 mark. Robins has scored in a back-to-back games for the ‘Cuda.

Just when things couldn’t get any worse for San Jose, they did as the Stars scored a short-handed goal at the 18:41 mark. Thomas Harley centered a pass right to the crease and Riley Tufte buried a point-blank shot past ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell for his 16th goal of the season.

Texas kept their foot on their gas pedal in the middle frame. Harley set up Rhett Gardner who scored his 10th goal of the season at the 9:01 mark. That spelled the end for Dell as ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy replaced him with Strauss Mann. Dell (14-16-2) gave up five goals on 23 shots in 29 minutes of action.

Ryan Shea scored just over two minutes later with his seventh goal of the season at the 11:03 mark. Studenic and Tanner Kero recorded assists on the goal.

Harley scored the Stars fourth unanswered goal to complete his three-point evening with his 10th goal of the season at the 12:06 mark.

Adam Raska closed out the scoring in the third period with his fourth goal of the season at the 8:41 mark. Will Riedell and Anthony Vincent, who picked up his first point in a ‘Cuda uniform, recorded assists on Raska’s goal.

Poirier (7-4-2) stopped 26 of the 28 shots to earn the victory. Dell made nine saves on 11 shots in mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Texas went 3-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Harley 2) Studenic 3) Stranges.

San Jose split the season series with Texas going 2-2.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues their four-game road trip when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Monday 4/3 at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.

Pouliot’s OT heroics lifts Barracuda over Stars 2-1, keep playoff hopes alive

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San Jose Barracuda forward Nathan Burke gets inside position inside the Texas Stars during the ‘Cuda 2-1 overtime victory at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda are doing everything possible to keep their slim playoff hopes live.

Derrick Pouliot scored the game winner 48 seconds into overtime to give the ‘Cuda a 2-1 victory over the Texas Stars on Friday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

Daniel Guschin led a three-on-two rush up the ice with Andrew Agozzino. The ‘Cuda captain centered a pass to a trailing Pouliot who skated in and wired a wrist shot past Stars goalie Scott Wedgewood for his third goal of the season.

San Jose now trails the Tucson Roadrunners by six points for the seventh place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with seven game remaining. Texas, with the loss, fell out of first place in the Central Division as the trail the Milwaukee Admirals by one point with 82 points.

A scary moment happened at the 2:41 mark of the first period when Matej Blumel was checked into the boards by Ozzy Wiesblatt that resulted in Blumel being seriously injured and carried off on a stretcher. He did not return to the game.

San Jose (28-32-1-4-61 points) dominated the shot clock in the opening 20 minutes as the outshot Texas 10-4. However, they were not able to get a puck past Wedgewood.

Texas (35-18-9-3-82 points) escaped the period without giving up a goal despite taking two penalties late in the period.

The Barracuda drew first blood late in the second period with a short-handed goal. Kyle Criscuoolo sent a pass up the ice to Tristen Robins who got between two defenders inside the Stars zone before firing a wrist shot past Wedgewood for his 16th goal of the season at the 15:17 mark.

The Stars scored the equalizer just past the halfway mark of the third period. Former Barracuda forward Scott Reedy won a battle for the puck along the board and centered out front where Ryan Shea beat ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell with a wrist shot through traffic for his sixth goal of the season at the 10:33 mark.

Dell finished the night stopping 22 of the 23 shots he faced to earn the victory. Wedgewood made 24 saves on 26 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both teams finished 0-for-3 on the power play.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Pouliot 2) Shea 3) Wedgewood

UP NEXT: San Jose and Texas conclude their two-games series on Saturday 4/1 at 5:00pm at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.