Reign send Barracuda to first loss of the season in 2-1 win

Barracuda forward Scott Reedy battles with Reign forward Taylor Ward at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday OCT 26, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — All good things come to an end, especially winning streaks.

The San Jose Barracuda suffered its first loss of the season as the Ontario Reign defeated the ‘Cuda 2-1 on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose had their first lost after starting out a franchise best 4-0 to begin the 2022-23 season. Ontario has won five of its first six game to start its season.

Ontario (5-1-0-0) drew first blood just 54 seconds into the game. Alan Quine found Rasmus Kupari along the right wing and Kupari beat ‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann with a wrist shot top shelf to the short side for his third goal of the season.

It was Mann’s first career AHL start. The 24-year-old former US Men’s National Team goalie settled down after giving up the first goal of the game and had a steady game to keep the ‘Cuda’s hope alive, giving them a chance to win the game.

“I was excited to play my first regular season game here,” said Mann when asked to evaluate his performance. “I’ve obviously been in San Jose for a while, been around the guys. It was good to get that game action, get that first out of the way. I think we played well enough to win, it’s just sometimes things don’t go your way.”

San Jose (4-1-0-0) spent most of the opening 20 killing penalties as they weren’t able to offer much of an offensive attack as Ontario outshot San Jose 12-9.

“I touched on that with the guys between the first and the second (period). It disrupts the flow (of the game) and I think if we want to have everybody going, we gotta stay out of the box,” Barracuda head coach John McCarthy said.

The Reign doubled its lead halfway through the second period. A failed clearing attempt by the Barracuda led to Quine finding Taylor Ward in the slot and Ward buried a wrist shot past Mann for his second goal of the season at the 9:51 mark.

San Jose cut the deficit in half with a power play goal late in the middle frame. Andrew Agozzino sent a rink wide pass over to Thomas Bordeleau and the rookie sniper ripped a one-time past Reign goalie Pheonix Copley for his team leading fourth goal of the season at the 16:12 mark.

It’s been good to see him (Bordeleau) get on the score sheet, that’s kind of his game. He’s coming along nicely; he’s been doing some good things (out on the ice). It’s been encouraging,” McCarthy said.

Despite pulling Mann with 90 seconds remaining in the third period for an extra attacker, Copley and the Reign held down the fort to escape with its second road win of the season.

Copley finished stopped 28 of the 29 saves to earn the victory. Mann made 26 saves on 28 in suffering his first professional loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Ontario was 0-for-6.

San Jose’s penalty kill is a perfect 24-for-24 to start the season.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Copley 2) Ward 3) Bordeleau

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its five-game homestand when they host the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday 10/28 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Despite slow start Barracuda come back to beat Silver Knights 3-2

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Ryan Merkley gets ready during warm-ups for the Henderson Silver Knights.

SAN JOSE–In their second game of back to backs against the Henderson Silver Knights the Barracuda found a way to win at Tech Cu Arena in San Jose by a score of 3-2.

It was not exactly the kind of start that the Barracuda would have wanted as only 3:15 into the first period the Silver Knights scored shorthanded. The goal coming from Jones Rondbjerg assisted by Sheldon Rempal.

The slow start continued as Rempal this time got the goal assisted by Gage Quinney and Michael Hutchinson 9:57 into the first period.

Later on in the first period though the Barracuda got a response from Tomas Bordeleau assisted by Artemi Kniazev and Santeri Hatakka. It was a little bit of a lucky bounce off a one timer from the point that bounced right to Bordeleau who tucked it top shelf past Hutchinson.

That ended up being all the scoring for the first as the shots by the end of the period favored Henderson by 13-9.

The second period saw a more quiet start as the main things to note were the Barracuda taking two penalties which Henderson could not convert on.

At the 17:31 mark though of the second period Luke Johnson got a goal assisted by C.J. Suess on a breakaway. Suess helped by stepping up in the neutral zone and forcing a turnover that lead to Johnson finding himself all alone.

Heading into the third period all tied up the Barracuda looked to keep their record perfect.

The Barracuda started off the period in a little bit of a scary way as Andrew Agozzino took a tripping penalty at the 2:27 mark. As has has been the case all year though the penalty kill for the Barracuda continued to be perfect.

Feeling the momentum Suess who got an apple earlier this time found the back of the net top corner past Hutchinson. It came off a beautiful move at center ice by Luke Johnson who then gave it to Max Veronneau who fead it to Suess.

That goal ended up being the game winner with Eetu Makiniemi holding on making in total 34 saves on the night.

It’s been a perfect start for the Barracuda who are now 4-0 and are looking like a completely new team in comparison to last season.

The Barracudas next game will be at home against the Ontario Reign on Oct. 26th at 7:00 p.m.

Barracuda celebrate the christening of their new crib with 4-0 shutout win over Silver Knights

The San Jose Barracuda celebrate winning their home opener at the brand-new Tech CU Arena in San Jose on Saturday OCT 22, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE— The San Jose Barracuda christened their brand-new arena with a 4-0 shutout victory over the Henderson Silver Knights in its home opener on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena. San Jose has started out 3-0 for the first time in its short franchise history.

Henderson has lost three in a row and four of its first five games to start out the season. 4,015 were in attendance in the brand new 4,200 seat arena to witness the new look Barracuda team that will look to put last season in the rearview mirror with a young group of fresh faces.

Former ‘Cuda captain John McCarthy is the new captain at the helm as the new head coach for San Jose. He replaced Roy Sommer (who left to coach the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, the San Diego Gulls), who was with the organization for 26 years, coaching the AHL affiliate the past 24.

McCarthy’s team features 11 new forwards, two new defenseman and three new goalies in a revamped roster that was assembled by ‘Cuda general manager Joe Will this past off season. “Something we talked about before the game tonight was kind of establishing this place as a hard place (for the opposition) to play.

Something like that takes time to establish, but I think tonight was a big first step in showing (teams) that you’re not going to come in here and get two points easily,” McCarthy said.

San Jose drew first blood halfway through the first period. Derrick Pouliot found Tristen Robbins to the left of the crease and Robbins buried a wrist shot past Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera for his second goal of the season at the 9:50 mark.

The ‘Cuda doubled its lead late in the first period. Captain Andrew Agozzino led a counterattack up the ice and Braden Coe skated in on a breakaway and beat Patera with a low shot to the right for his first goal of the season at the 17:41 mark.

It was the first game of the season for Coe, who did not play in the team’s first two games against Iowa, and he was ready for his opportunity. “For me personally, I was ready to bang some bods (bodies). I like to get into the competition. It was good, it was fun. We like that chippy game, we can play like that all day,” Coe said.

The Barracuda outshot the Silver Knights 13-9 as they dictated the pace of the play in the opening 20 minutes. Henderson thought they had a goal at the 6:04 mark of the second when Gage Quinney looked to have slid a puck into the net past ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell.

However, after video review the goal was waved off by referee Jordan Watt. San Jose scored it third unanswered goal late in the second period. A shot from the point by Pouliot was redirected by Coe for his second goal of the game at the 15:34 mark.

The Barracuda scored the only goal in the third period. On a delayed penalty, Thomas Bordeleau sniped home a puck into an open net for his second goal of the season at the 14:02 mark. Jeffery Viel and Patrick Sieloff were credited with assists.

Dell stopped all 34 shots to earn his first shutout of the season and ninth of his AHL career. Patera made 27 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort. “I felt good,” Dell said regarding his performance. “We tightened it up a little bit since the last weekend. We started off a little bit loose, turn the puck over. But as the game went on, we learned (from our mistakes).

I think it was a great game for us, learning wise that way.” GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. Henderson was 0-for-4. The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dell 2) Coe 3) Pouliot UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson conclude its two-game series on Sunday 10/23 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Strong first period for Barracuda is enough for win over Iowa Wild by score of 3-1.

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Andrew Agozzino skates up the ice against the Iowa Wild on Saturday night.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

Another night in Iowa another win as the Barracuda found a way to win against the Wild by a final score of 3-1.

The game would start with a quick penalty call against the Wild for holding that would be killed off. It would end up being a pattern for the rest of the game as the Barracuda finished the night 0-3 on the power play.

Despite the power play being killed Luke Johnson found the back of the net for the Barracuda. The assists coming from C.J. Suess and Ryan Merkley on a nice shot from far out that went bar down past Iowa goalie Zane McIntyre.

Not less than a minute later William Eklund followed it up with a tap in to a wide open net off a nice feed from Derrick Pouliot. Ryan Merkley got the other assist as the Barracuda quickly found themselves up 2-0.

That would be all the scoring in the first period with the shots ending at a tie of 9-9 between the two teams.

Momentum seemed to swing in the other direction in the second period with the shots moving more in favor of the Wild. With the shots by the end of the period in favor of the Wild by 19-13.

To cap off this momentum swing Nick Swaney scored for Wild with assists from Steven Fogarty and Turner Ottenbriet.

Newly anointed Barracuda captain Andrew Agozzino would respond on a breakaway goal shooting it through the five-hole of McIntyre. Max Veronneau got the assist feeding it up to Agozzino to propel him on the breakaway.

That would do it for scoring as the Barracuda would hold on to that lead of 3-1. Due in large part to goalie Eetu Makiniemi making 28 saves on the night.

The Barracuda’s next game will be against the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday Oct. 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at Tech Cu arena.

Dramatic finish sees Barracuda squeak out win in shootout over Wild by a final of 4-3

Picture courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Barracuda player Danil Guschin keeps his head up against the Iowa Wild on Friday night.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

In the season opener at Iowa against the Wild the Barracuda found a way to pull off the win in the shootout by a score of 4-3.

It would open up with a threatening power play from the Barracuda that saw a multitude of opportunities. Jesper Wallstedt would stand strong though for the Wild and stave off the attack.

Not to long after the power play Tristen Robins would find the back of the net with a beautiful wrist shot to make it 1-0. It would end up being an unassisted goal at the 16:54 mark of the 1st and Robins first professional goal.

The quick start would continue for the Barracuda as Thomas Bordeleau found twine with an assist from Patrick Sieloff. It was a sort of fluky one as a shot from the point by Sieloff would just trickle through Wallstedt and be poked in by Bordeleau.

As the young guns found a way to get on the board the Wild would slowly begin to climb back into the game and actually evened the shots by the end of the period at ten.

To kick of the second period Scott Reedy continued the offense with a goal of his own to make 3-0. The assists would go to Derrick Pouliot and Andrew Agozzino on the power play goal.

Finally after some time in the second period would pass the Wild got a goal from Mason Shaw with an assist from Nic Petan.

After more continued pressure the Wild slowly took control of the shot count ending the second period up in shots at 20-16.

The Wild continued this momentum into the third period were they would open the scoring this time with a goal from Joseph Cramarossa. The lone assist ended up going to Sammy Walker.

With the drama at a fever pitch the Wild would find another opportune goal to tie it at the 20:00 minute mark of the third from Sammy Walker. The assists credited to both Joe Hicketts and Daemon Hunt who helped this game go to overtime.

At the end of three periods the shots finished in favor of the Wild at 34-23.

In overtime the pressure continued from the Wild as they had four shots on goal in overtime but it was not enough as a shootout would be necessary to decide this one.

The shootout would end up being a long one as both goalies made saves back and forth.

Finishing the night off on a high note brand new captain of the Barracuda Agozzino scored in the shootout to give the Barracuda a win in Iowa.

The Barracuda’s next game will be tomorrow in Iowa again against the Wild at 4:00 p.m.

Preseason ends on high note as Barracuda beat condors in OT 3-2

Photo credit to the San Jose Barracuda. San Jose Barracuda Brandon Coe keeps his head up looking for a pass against the Bakersfield Condors at Tech CU Arena in San Jose.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

With the home crowd on their side the San Jose Barracuda (1-1-0-0) were able to skate away with a victory against the Bakersfield Condors (1-0-1-0) 3-2 in overtime at Tech Cu arena.

The powerplay would start out clicking for the Barracuda as Luke Johnson would score on the powerplay assisted by Derrick Pouliot.

That would be all of the scoring in the first, though there would be a couple more powerplay opportunities that the Barracuda were not able to capitalize on.

In the second period we would see the Eetu Makiniemi show as he would stop all 14 shots he would face from the Condors. Astonishingly the Barracuda in the second period would only have one shot on goal in comparison.

To kick off the third period the Condors would find a way to respond off of a rebound from Makiniemi’s pads that would go right to Samuel Dove-McFalls who would tap it in. The assists would go to Tyler Tullio and Yanni Kaldis.

The Barracuda would find a way to respond again on the powerplay from a goal on two on one by Scott Reedy assisted by Andrew Agozzino and C.J. Suess.

Not to long after though the Condors would respond with a powerplay goal of their own off of another rebound this time tucked in by Matt Boudens. The assists would go to Samuel Dove-McFalls and Xavier Bourgault.

The goal would be enough to force the game to overtime as the shots at the end of regulation would be 30-20 in favor of the Condors.

In dramatic fashion on another two on one for the Barracuda Artemi Kniazev assisted by Luke Johnson would tuck it in blocker side past Olivier Rodrigue to win the game. The final score would end up being 3-2 with the Barracuda on top.

The Barracuda’s next game will be against the Iowa Wild in Iowa on Friday Oct. 14th at 5:00 p.m.

Preseason opens for Barracuda on sour note as they lose to Bakersfield 5-1

Photo credit to the San Jose Barracuda. Artemi Kniazev skates the puck up against the Condors.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

On a late night in Bakersfield the San Jose Barracuda took on the Bakersfield Condors and would end up losing 5-1.

The scoring would open early as Matt Bouldens for the Condors would open the scoring only 44 seconds into the game with an assist from Michael Kesselring.

However the Barracuda would find a way to respond in the first period with a goal from Brandon Coe assisted by Mitchell Russell and Danil Gushchin.

For the Barracuda that would be all of the offense they would be able to muster as heading into the second period the Condors took control. This would helped along by a goal from Filip Engaras on the Condors assisted by Alex Peters and Yanni Kaldis.

That would be the only goal of the second period though the shots would favor the Condors 12-9.

In the third period the Condors really hit their stride kicked off by a goal from Tye Felhaber and assisted by Greg Mckegg.

This would added on to on the powerplay by Dino Kambeitz assisted by McKegg and Seth Griffith.

Finally the Condors would put the cap on the night with and empty net short handed goal by Michael Kesserling.

The game would not end without a little extra fireworks though as multiple misconducts would be handed out to both teams in the third period.

The final shot count would end at 34-25 in favor of the Condors.

The Barracuda’s next game will be against the Condors on Oct. 8th at 4:00 p.m. on the Cuda’s home ice.

Barracuda end horrible season with 15-game losing streak in 5-2 loss to Silver Knights

San Jose Barracuda forward Danil Gushchin (75) like the rest of the Barracuda were caught in the headlights of the Henderson Silver Knights at Dollar Loan Center in Henderson in the final game of the season for the Barracuda (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The season is finally, mercifully over for the San Jose Barracuda.

In a season where the team was handcuffed by its roster, the ‘Cuda lost their regular season finale 5-2 to the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday evening at Dollar Loan Center.

San Jose finished the season on a franchise worst 15-game losing streak (0-13-2) in where head coach Roy Sommer and his coaching staff had trouble many nights being able to have a full lineup out on the ice. Henderson has won five games in a row and will face off against the Ontario Reign in the Pacific Division Playoffs.

Henderson (34-28-4-1) drew first blood early in the first period scoring the only goal in the opening 20 minutes. Colt Conrad set up Connor Corcoran who snapped home a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock for his fourth goal of the season at the 1:59 mark.

The Silver Knights doubled its lead early in the second period with an even strength goal. Jermaine Loewen finished off a two-on-one odd man rush with a wrist shot from point blank range for his sixth goal of the season at the 1:13 mark.

San Jose (20-42-4-2) cut the lead in half with a power play goal at the 7:04 mark. Kyle Topping’s wrist shot hit off a Silver Knights defender and past Silver Knight’s goalie Isaiah Saville for his first goal of the game and third of the year.

Henderson regained its two-goal lead just over two minutes later on the power play. Jonas Rondbjerg cleaned a rebound near the crease for his 14th goal of the season and second in two games against San Jose at the 9:08 mark.

The Barracuda once again made it a one-goal game with Topping’s second power play goal of the game late in the middle frame. A fortuitous bounce found its way onto Topping’s stick and he wired a wrist shot past Saville for his fourth goal of the season at the 17:55 mark.

Henderson put the game away with two goals late in the third period. Jack Dugan scored an empty net goal with Stalock pulled for an extra attacker, his sixth goal of the season at the 18:14 mark. Then Connor Ford scored his first goal of the season on the Silver Knight’s second power play goal at the 18:59 mark.

Saville (6-1) finished the game stopping 19 of the 21 shots he faced to earn his sixth straight victory. Stalock (4-10-2) made 16 saves on 20 shots and ended his season with 10 straight losses.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Henderson finished 2-for-8.

San Jose is still winless against Henderson in Las Vegas/Henderson.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Ben Jones 2) Corcoran 3) Ford.

Silver Knights take down Barracuda 6-4, losing streak reaches 14 in a row

San Jose Barracuda defenseman Anthony Bitetto (2) looks for the puck Henderson Silver Knights defenseman #94 Brayden Pachal (right) at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson on Fri Apr 22, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Gage Quinney scored two goals to help the Henderson Silver Knights defeat the San Jose Barracuda 6-4 on Friday evening at Dollar Loan Center.

San Jose continued its franchise worst 14-game losing streak. Henderson has won four games in a row and have 71 points.

Henderson (33-28-4-1) drew first blood late in the first period. Alan Quine received the puck along the right wing. Quine faked a centering pass and beat ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Emond with a wrist shot to the short side for his sixth goal of the season at the 17:50 mark.

San Jose (20-41-4-2) evened the score 39 seconds later. Dillon Hamaliuk sprung Zachary Gallant up the middle for a breakaway. Gallant sneaked a backhander through the five hole of Silver Knight’s goalie Isiah Seville for the first of his two goals at the 18:29 mark.

The Silver Knights regained the lead over a minute later when Gage Quinney poked home a loose puck in the crease for his 10th goal of the season with 19 seconds left in the opening frame.

The Barracuda once again tied up the game thanks to Gallant’s second goal of the game. Nick Cicek fed a pass up the ice to Gallant. The second year forward for the ‘Cuda skated down the left wing and wired a wrist shot from a tough angle that beat Seville for his third goal of the season.

Gannon Laroque earned his first point in a ‘Cuda uniform as he picked up the secondary assist on Gallant’s goal.

Henderson scored three unanswered goals in the middle frame to take control of the game.

Ben Jones redirected a shot from the point by Quine for his 25th goal of the season at the 12:33 mark. Jones has 11 points in seven games against San Jose this season.

The Silver Knights doubled its lead with a short-handed goal less than three minutes later. A turnover at the red line led to a breakaway for Jonas Rondbjerg. The Danish forward beat Emond with a backhand to forehand move for his 13th goal of the season at the 15:45 mark.

Quinney scored his second goal of the game 59 seconds later to put the game away when he cleaned up a rebound off of a Bradyen Pachal shot, his 11th of the season at the 16:44 mark.

Quinney has four games in his five games against San Jose.

Anthony Bitteto gave the ‘Cuda a brief sign of hope when he scored his sixth goal of the season and second with the Barracuda at the 11:11 mark of the third period.

Henderson regained its three-goal lead two and a half minutes later on the power play. Jake Leschyshyn redirected a shot from Brendan Brisson at the 13:50 mark.

Adam Raska made the score look respectable with a power play goal with four seconds left in the game. Raska cleaned up a loose puck to the right of the crease for his fifth goal of the season.

Seville (5-1-0) finished the game stopping 27 of the 31 shots he faced to earn the victory. Emond (3-4-2) made 25 shots on 31 saves in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-7 on the power play. Henderson was 1-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Quine 2) Quinney 3) Brisson

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its regular season schedule on Saturday 4/23 at 4:00pm at Dollar Loan Center.

Condors upend Barracuda 4-1, losing streak reaches 13

The Bakersfield Condors left winger Jimmy Hamblin (11) pushes the San Jose Barracuda’s defenseman Patrick Holway (97) up against the glass at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Wed Apr 20, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The number 13 wasn’t a lucky number for the men in teal.

The Bakersfield Condors scored two goals in the third period en route to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday night at Mechanics Bank Arena.

San Jose continued its franchise worse 13-game losing skid with only two games left in the season. They have lost 10 straight on the road to the Condors. Bakersfield has won three out its past four games and clinched fifth place in the Pacific Division with 78 points.

Bakersfield (34-20-5-5) drew first blood almost eight minutes into the first period on the power play. Adam Cracknell finished off a give and go with Seth Griffith when his wrist shot deflected off the skate of Adam Raska for his 19th goal of the season at the 7:50 mark.

The Condors doubled its lead less than five minutes later. Tim Schaller sprung Colton Sceviour on a breakaway with a pass off the boards. Sceviour skated in and lifted a backhander past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock for his fifth goal of the season at the 12:03 mark.

San Jose (20-40-4-2) cut the Condor’s lead in half with a power play goal of their own 45 seconds later. Jake McGrew redirected Artemi Kniazev’s shot from the right point for his 12th goal of the season at the 12:48 mark.

McGrew snapped a 14-game goal less draught.

Bakersfield regained the momentum 64 seconds into the second period with an even strength goal. Dino Kambeitz centered a pass from behind the net and Tyler Benson beat Stalock with a wrist shot to the short side for his third goal of the season.

The Condors put the game away just past the halfway mark of the middle frame. Devin Brosseau finished off a two-on-one odd man rush when he snapped home a wrist shot off of a pass from Griffith for his 11th goal of the season at the 11:36 mark.

San Jose had two power play opportunities in the third period but weren’t able to capitalize on either chance as both teams finished the final frame scoreless.

Daniil Gushchin and Gannon Laroque made their debuts for the ‘Cuda. Gushchin finished tied for the team high with five shots on goal.

Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced to earn his 19th victory of the season. Stalock made 22 saves on 26 in suffering his ninth straight loss (0-7-2).

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-7 on the power play. Bakersfield was 1-for-2.

San Jose finished 3-6-1 against Bakersfield in the season series.

Skinner is 17-2 against the Barracuda in his career.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Brosseau 2) Benson 3) Sceviour

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to Henderson to close out the regular season with two games against the Silver Knights on Friday 4/22 at 7:00pm at Dollar Loan Center.