Tag: AHL

Power play falls flat for Barracuda as they lose to IceHogs 4-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Cole Cassels screens goalie Drew Commesso (taken on 3/17/24).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

After losing to the IceHogs on Saturday the Barracuda looked to bounce-back against them on Sunday.

In goal for San Jose was Eetu Makiniemi who heading into this game had a 6-7-0 record with a 3.48 GAA and .887 SV%. On the other side of the ice it was Drew Commesso had a 12-13-4 record with 2.73 GAA and .904 SV%.

The first period was a penalty filled affair as the teams in total combined for five penalties. Unfortunately for San Jose those penalties ended up helping the IceHogs rather than them.

The first goal in this game came on the power play as Mike Hardman scored his 18th of the season only five minutes into the game.

Later in the first Cole Guttman added to their lead with his 11th of the season assisted by Nolan Allan and Rem Pitlick.

Not long before the buzzer San Jose did respond on the power play as Ethan Cardwell one of San Jose’s hottest scorers got his 17th goal.

The middle frame saw the offense slow down considerably as we wouldn’t get a goal until 18:21 into the period. That goal came from the IceHogs as Guttman got his second of the game making it 3-1.

Funnily enough the final frame saw the opposite happen as just 41 seconds in Rockford made it 4-1 as Jackson Cates got his 11th.

That goal ended up being the last one in this game as San Jose only managed to get one past Commesso who had a great game making 34 saves.

A big part of the reason why the Barracuda only put up one goal was their power play as they went 1/5.

With three assists on the night Pitlick improves to an extremely impressive 16 points in just 13 games played for the IceHogs.

The three stars in this game were: 1st: Cole Guttman 2nd: Mike Hardman 3rd: Rem Pitlick

With the loss San Jose falls to 18-29-9 as the IceHogs improve to 28-22-5.

San Jose will look to snap their three game losing streak at home against one of the bottom feeders in the AHL the Gulls on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

San Jose Barracuda Sat game wrap: Barracuda can’t hold on lose to IceHogs 4-3 in overtime

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The San Jose Barracuda goaltender Georgi Romanov (31), defenseman Shakir Mukhamdullin (85), and the Rockford IceHogs leftwinger Brandon Baddock (13) stay around the net anticipating the puck at the BMO Center in Rockford IL on Sat Mar 16, 2024 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

By Titus Wilkinson and Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda (18-28-9-2) picked up a point getting into an overtime stanza with the Rockford IceHogs (27-22-5-2) at Rockford IL in the BMO Center. The Barracuda just couldn’t hold on and ended up dropping their ninth overtime game of the 2023-24 campaign losing 4-3.

The Barracuda’s Ethan Cardwell scored a goal and picked up two assists. To start the contest the IceHogs wasted no time Luke Phillip scored his first goal of the season for a 1-0 lead. This was Phillip’s first game of the season and he hit a ripper while being defended two on one at 2:55.

The Barracuda answered back with a goal from Cardwell at 13:26 in the first period for his 16th goal of the season the goal looked pretty much the same as Phillip’s in a two on one situation. Prior to Cardwell’s goal the IceHogs put eight consecutive shots on net that was defended by Cuda goaltender Geogie Ramanov.

The IceHogs in the second period shut the Barracuda out not allowing them a goal by the well defending netminder of Rockford Stauber Jaxson. On the other hand the IceHogs got by Ramanov with a short handed goal by Cole Guttman his tenth of the season at 3:51 and David Gust who scored his 14th goal of the season at 6:04. The IceHogs took a 3-1 lead going into the third period.

Ramanov ended up shutting the IceHogs in the third period to make it turn abouts fair play while the Barracuda scored two goals to tie up the game from Cole Cassels his eight of the season at at 40 seconds and Tristen Robins scored a crucial tying goal at 3:46 to make it 3-3 forcing overtime.

In the overtime stanza the IceHogs Colton Dach buried his tenth goal of the season at 2:38 to close out the contest as the IceHogs picked up their 27th win of the season.

There’s no time to feel sorry or bad for the Barracuda over this one as they return to the rink on Sunday for a 2:00pm face off at the BMO Center in Rockford.

Titus Wilkinson and Marko Ukalovic are beat writers covering the San Jose Barrracuda at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda split in Texas; Face off with Rockford next Sat and Sun

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The San Jose Barracuda who split two games with the Texas Stars at Cedar Rapids TX at H-E-B Arena (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Another tough loss for the San Jose Barracuda (17-27-8-2) this time a three goal beating at the hand of the Texas Stars (26-22-3-2) at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park Tx.

#2 The Barracuda scored three goals we’ll take a look at each of them starting with Ozzy Wiesblatt’s. Wiesblatt’s was the only goal for San Jose in the first period at 7:28.

#3 Barracuda defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov scored the second goal of the season for San Jose this one coming at 14:08 in the second period. Knyzhov was overdue it may have been not enough but Knyzhov has to be glad to get that second goal.

#4 Marko, how about the season that forward Scott Sabourin has had he scored the last Barracuda goal of the game at 19:31 for his 16th of the season. Sabourin no doubt has been a silver lining for the Barracuda this season?

#5 The Barracuda play the third game of this road trip against the Rockford Ice Hogs (25-21-5-2) next Sat Mar 16 at 5:00pm PDT and Sun Mar 17th at BMO Harris Bank Arena Rockford IL. The Barracuda don’t get to see the Ice Hogs too often?

Join Marko for the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda drop second of back-to-backs against Stars 6-3

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

After managing to beat the Stars last night the Barracuda looked to repeat their previous success on Saturday.

Getting the start in this one for San Jose was Eetu Makiniemi who was suiting up in his first game for San Jose since January 26th. Heading into this one he was sporting a 6-7-0 record with a 3.42 GAA and .890 SV%.

For Texas it was Matthew Murray who got the call who’s record before this game was 13-11-2 with a 2.97 GAA and .898 SV%.

The opening frame in this one was rather uneventful as neither team found the score sheet. The only penalty of the period was taken by Texas as Jake Murray was called for tripping but the Barracuda did not score.

In contrast to the first the second period was the exact opposite as just 1:53 into the period Texas scored as Mark Rassell notched his sixth of the season.

Then less than minute later MATEJ BLÜMEL tacked on to his teams lead with his 23rd of the campaign.

Even with the rough start San Jose did fight back as Ozzy Wiesblatt scored cutting the Stars lead in half.

In the dying moments of the second though Texas scored a crushing goal as once again BLÜMEL found the back of the net this time on the power play.

It would take a bit longer to find scoring in the final frame of this one but it would once again come from the home team as Jack Becker this time found the back of the net.

Riding the momentum Becker struck again making the Stars lead 5-1 putting the game pretty much out of reach.

San Jose did attempt a late comeback as Nikolai Knyzhov and Scott Sabourin scored to make it 5-3.

With the goalie pulled though the Stars officially put things away as FREDRIK KARLSTRÖM scored on the empty cage ending the game at 6-3.

Special teams did not go well for San Jose as they went 0/3 on the power play and the one time they went on the penalty kill they gave up a goal.

The shots in this one ended in a tie actually at 30 apiece.

With the loss San Jose falls to 18-28-8 while the Stars improve to 27-23-3.

The Barracuda will face these Stars two more times before the season is out as they will play them on the 12th and 13th of April. Funnily enough those will be San Jose’s last two home games of the season.

The three stars in this one were: 1st: Jack Becker 2nd: MATEJ BLÜMEL 3rd: Mark Rassell

San Jose will continue this road trip as they will travel to play against the Rockford Icehogs on Saturday the 16th at 5 p.m.

Georgi Romanov with 41 saves leads Barracuda to victory over Stars 2-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

Kicking off a four game road trip the Barracuda took on the a central division opponent in the Texas Stars.

Tonights game would see the recently acquired Jack Thompson make his debut for the Barracuda as he was sporting number 26.

In goal for San Jose was Georgi Romanov who’s coming off a loss against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on the second when he made a career-high 47 saves. His stats on the season 7-8-6 with a 3.26 GAA and .898 SV%.

On the other side of the rink it was Remi Poirier in goal for the Stars who heading into this one had a 14-12-3 record with a 3.08 GAA and .906 SV%.

The opening frame in this one was dominated by Texas as they outshot the Barracuda 18-5. Thankfully for San Jose Romanov was having another dominant outing as he stopped all 18 shots.

The first period saw no goals so we’d have to wait until the second when Oskar Lindblom finally broke the ice 12:10 into the second. The goal would come on the power play and newcomer Thompson registered an assist on the goal as well.

Less than a minute later San Jose tacked another one on as Jordy Bellerive scored his fifth of the season. The assists on the goal this time went to Ozzy Wiesblatt and Tanner Kaspick.

The final frame in this one saw the teams getting into it as Bellerive dropped the gloves. MATEJ BLÜMEL for the Stars was also ejected from the game for boarding who is one of the Stars better players.

San Jose would continue to hold on to that shutout until with less than a minute left Mavrik Bourque spoiled it scoring his 20th of the season.

That goal didn’t end up mattering much as San Jose was able to hold on and walk away with the victory.

The real star in this game was Romanov who had another stellar night making 41 saves.

San Jose was outshout 42-31 in this one and Dallas went 0/3 on the power play while the Barracuda went 1/4.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Georgi Romanov 2nd: Oskar Lindblom 3rd: Remi Poirier

With this win San Jose improves to 19-27-8 while Texas falls to 26-24-3.

The Barracuda will look to keep the good times rolling as they’ll take on these same Stars tomorrow at 5 p.m.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda’s best showing against Firebirds this season thanks to Romanov despite loss

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The San Jose Barracuda and the Coachella Valley Firebirds battled into a shootout Sat Mar 2, 2024 at Tech CU at San Jose (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 San Jose Barracuda goaltender Georgi Romanov stopped 47 Coachella Valley Firebird shots at Tech CU on Saturday night he had a great night in front of the net.

#2 The Barracuda lost the game in spite of Romanov’s great effort 3-2 in a shootout. Ramanov might as well have been standing on his head but the Barracuda whose had trouble with the Firebirds all season just couldn’t finish.

#3 Nathan Todd picked up his tenth point to continue his point streak to seven game in a row.

#4 Marko talk about Barracuda goals scored by Scott Sabourin with his 15th goal of the season at 4:31 in the first period also a goal by Brandon Cole at 16:45 in the third period.

#5 The Barracuda open a four game road trip which begins Fri Mar 8th against the Texas Stars. The Barracuda face the Stars again on Sat Mar 9th, then for two games Mar16 and 17 at Rockford against the Icedogs.

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda fall in shootout to Coachella Valley 3-2

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Danil Gushchin gets warmed up before a game (taken on 3/2/24).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- Looking for redemption the Barracuda took on Coachella Valley in the second of back-to-backs this time at home.

The Barracuda were rocking a little bit of a different look tonight as they were sporting the Tigres Del Mar jerseys.

In goal for San Jose was Geogri Romanov who heading into this one he had a 6-8-5 record with a 3.42 GAA and .891 SV%. For Coachella Valley it was Ales Stezka in goal who was sporting a 12-5-1 record with a 2.60 GAA and .910 SV%.

Unlike the last time these two played each other San Jose was able to pull out front first with a goal from Scott Sabourin just 4:31 into the game. The goal was Sabourin’s 15th of the season with Nathan Todd getting the primary assist his 29th of the campaign.

San Jose would have an opportunity to extend the lead as Coachella Valley took a too many men penalty a few minutes later but were unable to convert.

Later in the period Coachella Valley had a chance of their own to tie the game as Artem Guryev took a holding penalty but the Barracuda would kill it off. Shockingly enough that penalty was the last one taken in the whole game.

The score remained 1-0 for a while until 14:35 into the second period when Jimmy Schuldt scored his fourth assisted by Barracuda killer Kole Lind.

Things continued to be tight as the tension ratcheted up in the third period with both teams throwing big hits. An injury would come though not on a big hit but rather on a dump in as Jacob MacDonald accidentally hit his teammate Jack Studnicka in the face with the puck. Thankfully Studnicka was able to get up but he was leaking quite a bit as he skated off the ice.

Then adding insult to injury the Firebirds scored on a rebound batted in by their captain Max McCormick. Right after the goal was scored the refs got togethor and after a brief discussion they waved it off deeming the goal to be batted in with a high-stick.

The tie was not preserved for much longer though as on a delayed penalty Coachella Valley scored on a one-time goal from Andrew Poturalski. The goal was his 12th of the season assisted by Cale Fleury and Gustav Olofsson.

The game looked bleak until Jordy Bellerive was able to find Brandon Coe springing the zone and he hit him with a breakaway pass. Coe would not miss as he made a beautiful move to the backhand and tucked the puck home tying the game back up at two.

The game remained tied and so free hockey was in store for the home crowd. Coachella Valley was able to generate some dangerous chances but as he had done all night Romanov stood tall making three saves.

With the score still tied it was time for a shootout with San Jose’s three shooters being Danil Gushchin, Ozzy Wiesblatt, and Brandon Coe. None of them were able to score but the Firebirds were able to get one from Devin Shore which was enough to secure the win.

With the loss San Jose now falls to 17-28-8 with Coachella Valley improving to 34-13-5.

Coachella Valley continues to be the bane of San Jose’s existence as the Firebirds are 13-1-0-0 when playing against them.

Of note was Romanov who played a stellar game making 47 saves and singlehandedly keeping San Jose in the game at points.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Ales Stezka 2nd: Georgi Romanov 3rd: Devin Shore

San Jose will have a little bit of a break before playing the Stars on Friday on the road at 5 p.m.

Losing streak extends to five for Barracuda as they fall to Firebirds 4-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

Looking to rebound after a tough loss against the Reign the Barracuda took on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on the road.

San Jose’s goaltending depth is going to be stretched a little thin with Mackenzie Blackwood being placed on the IR. Due to this Magnus Chrona was called up to the Sharks and Beck Warm was called up to the Barracuda.

Despite the call up Georgi Romanov made the start tonight heading into this one with a 6-7-5 record and a 3.50 GAA and .866 SV%. For the Firebirds it was Chris Driedger in between the pipes who had a 14-6-4 record with a 2.31 GAA and .917 SV%.

This game ended up being dominated by special teams as out of the five goals scored tonight three were on the power play.

The first special teams goal in this one was scored by the Firebirds on the as Kole Lind deposited his 11th of the season.

Of course for the Barracuda in the second period their power play would not be scoring goals rather they were getting scored on. San Jose gave up back-to-back shorthanded goals less than three minutes apart as Ryan Winterton and Cameron Hughes capitalized on their sloppy play.

There was a glimmer of hope for San Jose in the third as just 25 seconds in Scott Sabourin scored his 14th of the season making it a 3-1 game.

That hope would be squashed as Hughes got his second of the night less than five minutes later.

If there was any positive for the Barracuda they did get take two penalties and were able to kill off both.

The goal by Hughes did end up sealing the deal as San Jose now falls to 17-28-8 with the 4-1 loss. The Firebirds continue their domination as they improve to 32-13-5.

The shots in this one favored Coachella Valley 39-30, as San Jose went 0/2 on the power play while the Firebirds finished 1/4.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Cameron Hughes 2nd: Ryan Winterton 3rd: Chris Driedger

San Jose will have to face these same Firebirds once again this time at home on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Fagemo’s hat trick dooms Barracuda in 8-2 win

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Ontario Reign forward Nikita Pavlychev looks to set a screen in the crease while San Jose Barracuda goalie Georgi Romanov looks on at Toyota Arena on Tuesday FEB 27, 2024. (Ontario Reign)

by Marko Ukalovic

Samuel Fagemo is an official ‘Cuda killer.

The Ontario Reign forward recorded a hat trick as his team routed the San Jose Barracuda 8-2 on Tuesday evening at Toyota Arena.

San Jose has lost four games in a row as they anchor the bottom of the Pacific Division. Ontario has won three games in a row as it gained sole possession of sixth place in the division with 58 points.

Ontario (26-19-3-3) drew first blood in the first two minutes of the opening period with an even strength goal. A giveaway by San Jose inside its own zone led to Samuel Helenius finding Nikita Pavlychev who buried a quick wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his first goal in 21 games at the 2:13 mark.

The Reign doubled its lead on the power play just over five minutes later. Martin Chromiak centered a back door pass off the skate of Francesco Pinelli, who was all alone to the right of the crease, for his sixth goal of the season at the 7:48 mark.

Sam Fagemo scored Ontario’s third unanswered goal in the opening frame with 49 seconds left. A missed odd-man rush for San Jose (17-26-8-1) led to a breakaway opportunity the other way for Fagemo who beat Romanov with a wrist shot for his team leading 26th goal of the season.

The Barracuda out shot Ontario 8-7 but could not a get a puck past Reign rookie goalie Erik Portillo. ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy pulled Romanov at the end of the period and inserted Magnus Chrona to start the second period. Romanov (6-7-5) gave up three goals on just seven shots.

San Jose got on the board with an even strength goal early the middle frame. Oscar Lindblom found Jack Studnicka with a cross ice pass. Studnicka made a fore-hand to backhand move to beat Portillo through the five-hole for his sixth goal of the season at the 2:43 mark.

The Lindblom-Studnicka connection hooked up once again this time on the power play. Lindblom found Studnicka in front of the net and Studnicka batted in his own rebound past Portillo for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season at the 5:15 mark.

Joe Hicketts found himself at the right place at the right time to give Ontario another two-goal lead. Hicketts picked up a rebound from behind the net and wrapped around the puck into an empty net for his first goal in a Reign uniform. It was his first goal in 16 games.

The Reign regained their three-goal late in the period on the power play. T.J. Tynan sent a cross ice pass over to Fagemo who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his AHL leading 13th power play goal and 27th of the season at the 18:26 mark.

Charles Hudon scored the Reign’s third power play goal of the game with six seconds left in the second period. Hicketts set up Hudon who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his 18th goal of the season.

Kevin Connauton scored an empty netter from his own blue line for his second goal of the season at the 9:17 mark when the ‘Cuda pulled Chrona for an extra attacker.

Fagemo completed his trick when Tynan set him up for a one-timer at the 14:27 mark. Fagemo has two hat tricks against San Jose this season and has 11 goals in six games against the ‘Cuda.

Portillo (15-8-3-2) finished the game stopping 38 of the 40 shots he faced to earn his 15th victory of the season. Chrona made 19 saves on 23 shots in mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Ontario went 2-for-6.

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

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-game road trip down in the desert when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday 2/28 at Acrisure Arena at 7:00pm.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda open up two game road trip Tuesday in Ontario

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The San Jose Barracuda Ethan Cardwell (56) skates against the Abbottsford Canucks on Sat Feb 25, 2024 at Tech CU Arena in San Jose (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The Abbotsford Canucks scored three unanswered goals in the third period for a 5-2 victory to sweep the weekend series against the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

#2 San Jose has lost three games in a row. Abbotsford has won four games in a row.

#3 The Barracuda picked up their first goal in the first period when Thomas Bordeleau scored his 11th goal at 12:12

#4 The Barracuda who scored their second goal when Scott Sabourin his 13th goal of the season against the Abbottsford Canucks.

#5 San Jose heads out on the road to take on the Ontario Reign on Tuesday 2/27 at 7:00pm at Toyota Arena. How do you see this match up.

Join Marko for the SJ Barracuda podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com