Tag: AHL

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda host Firebirds Wednesday; Cuda were 7-1 against Coachella last season

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San Jose Barracuda forward Patrick Giles (54) takes the puck down ice against the Bakersfield Condors at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Sat Oct 17, 2025 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 What went wrong defensively for San Jose Barracuda in Saturday’s game against the Bakersfield Condors, given the Barracuda allowed multiple goals in key moments and ultimately lost by a narrow margin 2‑1?

#2 Did the Barracuda fail to capitalize on any power‑play or special teams opportunities, and if so, how did that impact the outcome?

#3 How did the goaltending matchup play out — was San Jose’s goaltender beaten by one or two mistakes, or did Bakersfield take advantage of strong chances?

#4 Was there a shift in momentum during the game for example, a period where San Jose dominated but failed to score, and could that explain how Bakersfield secured the win?

#5 The Barracuda face off against the Coachella Valley Firebirds Wed Oct 22 at Tech CU. The Barracuda had lots of success against the Firebirds last season going 7-1 do you see that happening again for this next game in San Jose?

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

Barracuda sustain first loss of the season, 2-1 against Condors

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San Jose Barracuda vs Bakersfield Condors on Saturday October 18th at Dignity Health Arena (via condors/x)

By Madison Montez

The San Jose Barracuda (1-1-0) dropped their first road game of the season with a loss at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Saturday 2-1 losing to the Bakersfield Condors (1-1-0).

After a scoreless first period, Bakersfield was the first to get on the board when Roby Järventie scored his first powerplay goal of the season. Cole Clayton tied the game in the third period to show some fight but Bakersfield ultimately won, scoring again later in the third. Condors Quinn Huston scored his first of the season and his pro career with four minutes left to lead his team to their first win in their home opener.

San Jose nearly dominated outshooting Bakersfield but it wasn’t enough. After the first period, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 7 to 3. After the second period, Bakersfield outshot San Jose 13 to 6. And after the third period, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 9 to 5. This came out to San Jose outshooting Bakersfield 22-21 but Bakersfield still walked away with their first win.

Both teams struggled to stay out of the penalty box, each taking seven penalties throughout the game. It was also a very physical game, with five of those penalties either for fighting or roughing. A fighting penalty taken by Egor Afanasyev is what gave Bakersfield their 1-0 lead in the second. San Jose had three opportunities but didn’t capitalize. Bakersfield had four opportunities and capitalized on one.

For San Jose, Gabriel Carriere got his first start of the season. He made 19 saves on 22 shots with a 0.905 save percentage. After Saturday night’s loss, Carriere’s record will now fall to 0-1. For Bakersfield, Connor Ingram also got his first start of the season. He made 21 saves on 22 shots with a 0.995 save percentage. After tonight’s win, Ingram’s record will move to 1-0.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  1. Quinn Huston, 1G
  2. Roby Järventie, 1G
  3. Connor Ingram, 21 svs on 22 shots

The Barracuda will be back in action on Wednesday October 22nd where they will face the Coachella Valley Firebirds for the first time this season. Last season, San Jose and Coachella went head to head quite a few times, playing each other eight times, San Jose with a 7-1 record against them.

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalvoic: Barracuda hit the road face off with Bakersfield Saturday

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San Jose Barracuda forward Ethan Cardwell (56) winds up to take a shot against the Bakersfield Condors defenseman Luke Procop (77) at Tech CU in San Jose on Sat Oct 11, 2025 (San Jose Barracuda staff photo)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Which period was most decisive in swinging momentum toward San Jose, and how did it manifest in the play? San Jose scored two power‑play goals in the second period to extend their lead to 6‑3.

#2 How did the special teams (power play, penalty kill, shorthanded goals) affect the outcome and pacing of the game? There were multiple power‑play goals, and Bakersfield scored a shorthanded goal by Rhett Pitlick in the third period?

#3 Which players from Bakersfield put up the biggest individual performances (goals, assists, high shot counts) and in what ways did they influence the game? For instance, the Condors Viljami Marjala had three assists, Roby Jarventie had one goal + two assists, Rem Pitlick had one goal + two assists.

#4 When and how did Bakersfield press back from behind, and what prevented them from completing the comeback? They closed the gap late in the second period to 6–5, exchanged special teams goals in the third period, but ultimately fell short.

#5 Barracuda head to Bakersfield on Saturday night they coming in with some momentum after getting that 7-6 win in San Jose how do you see them on the road in Bakersfield next weekend?

Marko Ukalovic does the San Jose Barracuda podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Musty scores first pro goal in wild Barracuda 7-6 Opening Night win over Condors

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San Jose Barracuda forward Quentin Musty (#13) celebrates his professional goal with his teammates during his team’s 7-6 win over the Bakersfield Condors at Tech CU Arena on Saturday OCT 11, 2025. (Brian Collett-Inside The Rink)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda used a balanced scoring attack with seven different goal scorers to defeat the Bakersfield Condors 7-6 in the team’s season opener on Saturday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose opened the season with a win with 2024 NHL first round pick Quentin Musty scoring a goal in his AHL debut.

Bakersfield (0-1-0) drew first blood 39 seconds into the contest. Roby Järventie centered the puck over Viljami Marjala in between the faceoff circles. Marjala found Rem Pitlick with a backdoor pass as Pitlick tapped it home from the near corner past ‘Cuda goalie Jakub Skarek for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (1-0-0) evened the game at the 7:15 mark. A turnover in the neutral zone had Cam Lund find Filip Bystedt at the Condors blueline. Bystedt skated in and wired a wrist shot from the slot top shelf past Matt Tomkins for his first goal of the season.

The Barracuda gained its first lead of the season when Jake Furlong sent a shot from the point that was went off the skate of Jack Ostapchuk for his first goal of the season at the 11:43 mark.

The Condors tied it up with a power play goal just over three minutes later. Max Jones set up notorious ‘Cuda killer Seth Griffith along the slot. The veteran forward beat Skarek with a wrist shot for his first goal of the season at the 14:47 mark.

Bakersfield regained the lead on the next shift 19 seconds later. A giveaway by Pavol Regenda behind his own net let to Pitlick centering a pass over to Riley Stillman who beat Skarek with a one-timer to the right corner for his first goal of the season.

San Jose evened the game with 13 seconds left in the opening frame. Jimmy Huntington centered the puck out in front of the crease to Patrick Giles. Tomkins initially stopped Giles first shot attempt, but Giles cleaned up his own rebound with a shot through the five-hole for his first goal of the season. It was Huntington’s first point in a Barracuda sweater.

San Jose earned its second lead of the game with a 5-on-3 goal early in the second period. Igor Chernyshov centered the puck right into the crease from the left wing over to Quentin Musty who was parked out right in front. Musty tapped home the puck underneath Tomkins for his first professional career goal at the 3:10 mark. Cam Lund picked up the secondary assist.

Luca Cagnoni scored the ‘Cuda’s second power play goal of the period when he blasted a one-timer from the point past Tomkins for his first goal of the season at the 7:16 mark. Lund picked up his third helper of the game and Musty his first.

Huntington doubled the ‘Cuda’s lead with its fourth unanswered goal and third of the middle frame. Giles won a clean faceoff inside the Condor’s zone. Huntington picked up the puck and skated into the middle before riffling a wrist shot past Tomkins for his goal of the season at the 12:16 mark.

Bakersfield gained one back late in the period when Max Jones finished off of a two-on-one odd man rush for the Condors. Josh Samanski sent a cross-ice pass over to Jones who beat Skarek with a one timer to the near post for his first goal of the season at the 16:06 mark.

The Condors made it a one-goal game at the 18:11 mark when Pitlick centered the puck from behind the goal line out to Järventie who beat Skarek with a backhander to the near corner for his first goal of the season.

San Jose made it 7-5 seconds after its fifth power play opportunity ended to start the third period. Mattias Havelid earned his first point in a Barracuda uniform when his shot from the point was initially saved by Tomkins. Ethan Cardwell crashed the crease and cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the season at the 1:42 mark.

Bakersfield once again made it a one goal game scoring for the second time on a 2-on-1 odd man rush. The difference this time was they were short-handed. Pitlick finished off a cross ice pass from Marjala for his first goal of the season at the 8:25 mark. It was Marjala’s third helper of the game.

Skarek finished with 27 saves on 33 shots to earn his first win of the season. Tomkins made 29 saves on 36 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 3-for-8 on the power play. Bakersfield was 1-for-2.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels down to Bakersfield to take on the Condors in their first road game of the season on Saturday October 18 at 7:00pm at Dignity Health Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast Madison Montez: Barracuda face Condors for opener on Saturday at Tech CU

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San Jose Barracuda celebrate a goal against the Bakersfield Condors in exhibition play at Tech CU in San Jose on Sun Oct 5, 2025 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Madison Montez:

#1 Madison, in Sunday’s first period between the Bakersfield Condors and San Jose Barracuda both goaltenders proved their worth with a 0-0 score. For the Condors they took 11 shots but the Barracuda goaltender Jakub Sharek stopped all shots and the Barracuda had six first period shots that all were stopped by Condors goaltender Nathanial Day.

#2 It was the second period that the Barracuda got on the board getting two goals one from Oliver Wahlstron at 16:06 for a 1-0 San Jose lead. The Condors tied things up at 16:39 with a goal by Matvey Petrov for a 1-1 tie.

#3 Later in the second period at 19:35 the Barracuda Kasper Halttunen scored to take a 2-1 lead with assists from Igor Chernyshov and John Gormley. The Barracuda never looked back.

#4 The Barracuda in the third period got an empty netter from Samuel Laberge for his first goal of the pre season and the 3-1 win. Sharek shut the Condors out in the third period stopping nine shots.

#5 Sat Oct 11th the Condors are back to face off with the Barracuda for opening day a 3:00pm puck drop. These two teams should be very familiar with each other how do you see this one getting underway to start the 2025-26 season?

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

Barracuda win both preseason games against Condors; SJ defeats Bakersfield 3-1 Sunday

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San Jose Barracuda vs Bakersfield Condors on Sunday October 5th at Tech CU Arena (via sjbarracuda/flickr)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE–With three minutes to go in the second period, San Jose got on the board, courtesy of Oliver Wahlstrom. Filip Bystedt and Braden Hache with the primary and secondary assists. Bakersfield quickly got it back and tied the game 33 seconds later.

Matvey Petrov with the goal, unassisted. With less than a minute left, San Jose regained their lead after Kasper Halttunen scored his first of the preseason, Igor Chernysov with the primary and John Gormley with the secondary. Samuel Laberge sealed the 3-1 win with an empty net goal with five seconds left.

San Jose dominated the shooting percentage shooting _ more shots than Bakersfield. After the first period, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 11 to 6. After the second period, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 23 to 4. After the third, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 11 to 4.

San Jose got the first chance to show off their powerplay with Bakersfield going to the penalty box first. Bakersfield’s 88 Austin Magera caused them to go down a man due to a two minute minor for Hooking. Unfortunately, San Jose was unable to capitalize. There was four-on-four action when Anthony Vincent of the Barracuda and Luke Prokop of the Condors both went to the box for two minutes.

For Bakersfield, Nathanial Day got the start. Day made 11 saves on 11 shots. For San Jose, Jakub Skarek got the start. Skarek made 13 saves on 14 shots. Jonsson made 14 saves on 16 shots. Halfway through the second period, Bakersfield switched things up and Samuel Jonsson was put in after Day sustained a leg injury.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  1. Kasper Halttunen
  2. Oliver Wahlstrom
  3. Nathanial Day

The Barracuda will be back in action on Saturday October 11th for their season and home opener. They will open the season facing this same Bakersfield Condors team. In the two previous games between these teams, San Jose won both.

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic: Cuda get ready for Condors in first pre season game next Saturday

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San Jose Barracuda forward Igor Cherynshov (24) is preparing with his San Jose teammates for their first pre season game against the Bakersfield Condors on Sat Oct 5, 2025 at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Which new or recently signed Barracuda players are expected to make a big impact in camp, and what are their roles likely to be?

#2 Which prospects are on the bubble between Sharks vs Barracuda, and what would decide whether they stick with the AHL or get NHL minutes?

#3 How much is the coaching staff likely to lean on recent standout performances (AHL stats, prior season) when evaluating players, compared to potential and development upside?

#4 What are the expectations for players returning from injury (or who missed games), and how will that affect their chances in camp?

#5 San Jose Barracuda open up pre season action against the Bakersfield Condors next Sat Oct 4th in Bakersfield talk about some of the things that head coach John McCarthy is looking for in this upcoming game?

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

San Jose Barracuda/AHL Playoffs podcast Marko Ukalovic: Series is tied as Barracuda-Eagles head back to Colorado Tuesday night

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Colorado Eagles center Chris Wagner (14) and goaltender Trent Minor (50) can’t stop a shot on goal as the San Jose Barracuda’s center Collin Graf (51) watches the puck cross the crease at Tech CU in San Jose on Sun May 4, 2025 (photo by San Jose Barracuda)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda Danil Gushchin scored the game winner with 27 second left in the overtime stanza to defeat the Colorado Eagles in Game 2 of the Pacific Divsion Semifinals at Tech CU last Sunday.

#2 San Jose had 1:12 left in their power play to start the overtime period. Gushchin carried the puck inside the Eagles zone and created a give and go with Colin Graf. Gushchin’s backhanded attempt was saved by Colorado netminder Trent Miner. The rebound was kicked in through the five-hole of Miner by Chris Wagner as Gushchin earned his first goal of the playoffs.

#3 The opening 20 minutes of the game was scoreless as both teams displayed tight checking throughout the period. The Barracuda dominated the shot clock 14-6 over the Eagles yet neither goaltender Yaroslav Askarov nor Miner allowed a puck past the crease.

#4 San Jose (1-1) started the second period on a four-minute power play due to Tye Felhaber taking a high sticking penalty that drew blood at the end of the first period. However, the Cuda power play did not generate enough quality scoring chances.

#5 San Jose and Colorado battle it out in Game 3 on Tuesday May 6th at 6:05pm at Blue Arena series is tied as this one goes back to Loveland.

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

San Jose Barracuda/AHL Playoffs podcast Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda win first playoff series since 2017

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The San Jose Barracuda defenseman Jimmy Schuldt (59) and defenseman Joey Keane (94) pursue the Ontario Reign’s forward Jered Wright (78) in game 2 of the Calder Cup Series at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Apr 26, 2025 (photo by the Ontario Reign)

San Jose Barracuda/AHL Playoffs podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda took the Ontario Reign 2-1 in game two of the first round of the AHL Calder Cup at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday. The game was played at Crypto in place of the Toyota Center in Ontario due to a previous scheduled event.

#2 The Barracuda were at a disadvantage going into the series with no games going back to San Jose due to all games would be played in the Southland either in Los Angeles or Ontario. It didn’t stop the Barracuda who won games one and two to advance to the second round. They were the home team in game 2 with the game being played in Los Angeles.

#3 The Barracuda will play the second round against the Colorado Eagles in the Division Semifinals. The dates are yet to be determined. The Barracuda will have home ice advantage.

#4 San Jose Barracuda head coach said John McCarthy that he’s happy for his players advancing to the next round saying, “I’m happy for our group, that’s a lively locker room in there, they should be really proud of themselves.”

#5 Marko talk about all the hard work that went into getting this far for the Barracuda also considering in the minor league hockey teams could lose key guys as they get promoted all the time and it’s hard to advance if you lose a goaltender with a hot hand or a goal scorer.

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

Graf’s late go propels Barracuda into second round with 2-1 win over Reign, sweep series

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By Marko Ukalovic

Collin Graf scored the game winning goal with 2:18 left in the game as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Ontario Reign 2-1 in Game 2 of the Pacific Division first round series on Saturday evening at Crypto.com Arena.

The sixth seeded San Jose swept the third seeded Ontario two games to none as they won their first playoff series since 2017. The Barracuda will play the division winner Colorado Eagles in the semifinals of the Pacific Division Playoffs.

Ethan Cardwell set up Graf’s heroics when he centered a pass out to Graf who beat Reign goalie Phoenix Copley with a sliding backhander for his first goal of the playoffs. Collin White received the secondary assist on the play.

The first period was scoreless as San Jose had two power play opportunities compared to just one for Ontario. Neither team was able to find pay dirt as both penalty kills were dominant in the opening 20 minutes.

Early in the second period was where the momentum shifted toward the Barracuda. Cuda goalie Alexander Askarov made a point-blank save on Martin Chromiak who was camped out in front of the crease when Charles Hudon threw the puck at the net just under seven minutes into the middle frame.

Less than a minute later, San Jose (2-0) drew first blood. Cuda captain Jimmy Schuldt sent the puck down to the goal line. White centered the puck from behind the net to Anthony Vincent who beat Copley with a one-timer to the short side for his first goal of the playoff at the 7:40 mark.

Ontario (0-2) answered back in the third period with an even strength goal. Glen Gawdin centered the puck over to Chromiak in the high slot. Chromiak beat Askarov with a one-timer for his first goal of the playoff.

The Reign pulled Copley with under two minutes left in the game for an extra attacker. However, San Jose bent but didn’t break as they kept Ontario from scoring the equalizer and escaped Southern California with a series win.

Askarov finished the game stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced for his second win of the playoffs and first series win. Copley made 23 saves on 25 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Askarov (29 SV/30SA), 2) Graf (1G,0A) 3) Chromiak (1G,0A).

UP NEXT: San Jose takes on the Colorado Eagles in the semifinals of the Pacific Division Playoffs. Schedule TBD.