Tag: AHL

Gulls take down Barracuda 2-1, sweep series

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The San Jose Barracuda can’t get too much offense going as they lose by a goal to the visiting San Diego Gulls 2-1 at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Nov 20, 2021 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—The San Diego Gulls scored two goals in the first period and made them hold up in a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Diego swept the two games series and have won two games in a row. San Jose has lost three out of its past four games.

The Gulls drew first blood halfway through the first period. Jacob Larsson’s blocked shot deflected over to the right point where Nikolas Brouillard fired a slapshot from atop of the left circle through a screen past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his second goal of the season at the 9:19 mark.

San Diego (5-6-1-0) doubled its lead late in the opening frame. This time Brouillard returned the favor as he skated in from the right wing and threaded a backhanded pass through the crease where Greg Printz buried a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 12:14 mark.

The Gulls dominated the play in the first period as the out shot San Jose 11-6.

San Jose (5-6-1-0) cut the lead in half on the power play early in the second period. Ryan Merkley made a nice move around the defense inside the Gulls zone. Merkley found a streaking Scott Reedy whose wrist shot banked off both goal posts before landing in the back of net past Gulls goalie Olle Ericksson Ek for his team leading eighth goal of the season at the 2:52 mark.

Reedy has a three-game goal scoring streak and has scored four goals in his past three games.

San Jose controlled the play for the majority of the second frame as they out shot San Diego in 11-6.

The ‘Cuda pulled Melnichuk for an extra attacker with under two minutes left in an attempt to score the equalizer. However, like the day before, San Diego’s defense stood its ground and held on for the win.

Eriksson Ek finished the afternoon stopping 22 of the 23 shots he faced to earn the victory. He is 4-0 in his career against the ‘Cuda. Melnichuk made 22 saves on 24 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Brouillard 2) Reedy 3) Printz

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to San Diego to take on the Gulls on Wednesday 11/24 at 7:00pm at the Valley View Casino Center.

Gulls edge Barracuda 4-3

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The San Diego Gulls celebrated their win over the San Jose Barracuda at SAP Center Fri Nov 19, 2021 (photo by San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—The San Diego Gulls jumped out to an early lead and then held on at the end in defeating the San Jose Barracuda 4-3 on Friday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose had its two game winning streak snapped and are 1-1 on their three game homestand. San Diego snapped its two game losing streak.

San Diego (4-6-1) drew first blood midway through the first period. Jacob Perreault came in on a breakaway but his shot between his legs was initially stopped by ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko. The rebound hit off Zachary Gallant and Brogan Rafferty poked in the puck with his stick for his second goal of the season at the 9:41 mark.

The Gulls doubled its lead late in the opening frame. Buddy Robinson found Vinni Lettieri on the left wing. Lettieri skated in a snapped a wrist shot past the five hole of Sawchenko for his fifth goal of the season at the 17:10 mark.

San Diego scored its third unanswered goal in the early in the second period. Perrault came out the winner in a scrum inside the crease. His backhander slid underneath Sawchenko for his seventh goal of the season at the 5:43 mark.

San Jose (5-5-1-0) responded halfway through the middle frame. Nick Cicek fired a shot from the right point that Gulls goalie Lukas Dostal. Nick Merkley crashed the net and beat Dostal with a backhander top-shelf falling down for his third goal of the season at the 11:13 mark.

The Barracuda cut the lead down to a one-goal game just under five minutes later on the power play. Nick Merkley sent a one-timer on Dostal who made the save as well as on Jayden Halbgewachs’ rebound attempt. Third time was a charm for Scott Reedy who cashed in on his rebound opportunity for his team leading seventh goal of the season at the 16:12 mark.

San Diego went back up by two goals thanks to a turnover by San Jose inside their own zone. Jacob Larson sent in a shot from the point initially stopped by Sawchenko. Bryce Kindopp cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the season at the 17:29 mark.

San Jose once again made it a one-goal game with 33 seconds left in the middle frame. Halbgewachs led a rush into the Gulls zone. The puck went off his skate on to the stick of Sasha Chmelevski. The Long Beach native skated in from the right slot and centered a pass back to Halbgewachs who one-time a point blank shot past Dostal for his fourth goal of the season.

The Barracuda weren’t able to carry the momentum of the Halbgewachs’ goal into the third period. They only generated four shots on goal as the Gulls defense tightened up on the ‘Cuda.

Halbgewachs finished with a three-point night (1G, 2A) as he was involve in all three Barracuda goals.

San Jose killed any chance of a late comeback taking two penalties in the final three minutes of the game as San Diego played keep away while on the power play.

Dostal finished with 29 saves on 32 shots to earn the victory. Sawchenko made 26 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) N Merkley 2) Halbgewachs 3) Perreault

UP NEXT: San Jose and San Diego conclude their two-game series on Saturday 11/21 at 1:15pm at SAP Center.

Barracuda comeback from two goal deficit to upend Condors 4-3

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San Jose Barracuda and Bakersfield Condors faced off at SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Nov 17, 2021 (photo by San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—Scott Reedy picked a great time to have his first career multi-goal game.

Reedy scored the game’s final two goals as the San Jose Barracuda rallied for three unanswered goals in a 4-3 comeback victory over the Bakersfield Condors on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has won two games in a row. Bakersfield had its two game winning streak snapped.

Reedy scored the game winning goal with 9:51 remaining in the third period. Moments before Reedy’s heroics, Bakersfield failed to capitalize on an two-on-one odd man rush.

San Jose produced a counter attack where Mark Alt found Jayden Halbgewachs at the red line. Halbgewachs threw a pass over to Reedy, who just jumped onto the ice during a line change, at the Condors blueline. Reedy skated in from the left wing and wired a wrist shot top shelf into the far corner for his team leading sixth goal of the season.

San Jose (5-4-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period on the power play. Noah Gregor fed a pass from the point down to Reedy, who quickly found Joachim Blichfeld just to the right of the crease where he tapped home the puck into an open net for a tic-tac-toe goal, his second of the season at the 3:13 mark.

Gregor went over the double digit mark in points (11) with the secondary assist.

Bakersfield (6-5-1-1) responded with two even strength goals 22 seconds apart just over two minutes later.

Vincent Desharnais sent in a shot that bounced off the pads of ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko over to Brad Malone, who cleaned up the rebound for his team leading sixth goal of the season at the 5:17 mark.

Then Graham McPhee was camped out in front of the crease when he redirected a shot from the point by Philip Broberg past Sawchenko for his second goal of the season at the 5:39 mark.

Bakersfield scored its third unanswered goal thanks to a Barracuda turnover. Artemi Kniazev ran inadvertently into his own defenseman Nicolas Meloche and was tripped up as he was trying to skate out of his own zone. Cooper Marody collected the puck, his initial chance was stopped by Sawchenko. Marody jammed home his own rebound for his sixth goal of the season at the 13:58 mark.

San Jose cut the lead to a one goal deficit with its second power play goal late in the second period. Ryan Merkley found Blichfeld open in the right slot and the Danish forward rifled home a wrist shot past Condors goalie Ilya Konovalov for his second goal of the contest and third goal of the season at the 14:14 mark.

Blichfeld has scored all three of his goals on the man advantage this season.

Reedy scored the equalizer just over two minutes later. Gregor entered the Condors zone down the left side. He sent a pass over to Reedy in the left slot, who sent a backhand shot over the glove of Konovalov and off the far post into the back of the net for his first goal of his two goal evening at the 16:24 mark.

Gregor, who got the secondary assist on Reedy’s first goal, had his first three assist game of his career and second three-point game of the season.

Sawchenko finished the night stopping 29 of the 32 shots he faced to earn his second win of the season. Konovalov made 19 saves on 23 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Bakersfield was 0-for-3.

Gregor extended his points streak to seven games.

Alt picked up his first point (the secondary assist on the Reedy’s game winning goal) in a Barracuda uniform.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Reedy 2) Gregor 3) Blichfeld

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the San Diego Gulls on Friday 11/19 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Both Barracuda and Canucks battled to the very end Sunday night

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The San Jose Sharks Sasha Chemelvski who scored the game winning goal in the shootout against the Abbotsford Canucks on Sun Nov 14, 2021 (file photo by nhl.com)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (4-4-1-0) just edged the Abbotsford Canucks (4-4-2-0) 3-2 in a shootout win when the Barracuda’s Sasha Chemelvski scored on Canucks goaltender Michael DiPietro.

#2 Chmelevski scored the game winning goal in the shootout stanza it had to be something special to get the game winner.

#3 Marko to give you an idea how close this contest was the Barracuda and Canucks didn’t score a goal in the overtime stanza and no one was giving in in this tight contest.

#4 The Barracuda were coming off a 7-1 blow out the previous night Friday as the Barracuda goalie Alexi Melnichuk started and gave up four goals and Zachary Emond later came in and gave up three goals on five shots he faced in six minutes. Last night in game 2 of the series the Barracuda had Alexi Melnichuk in net who faced 22 shots and allowed two goals.

#5 Marko, the Barracuda return back to SAP Center on Wed Nov 17th to host the Bakersfield Condors (6-4-1-1) who are in third in the Pacific Division. The Cuda would like to continue with a second straight win tell us how you see this match up on Wednesday night.

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

Barracuda split series with Canucks in 3-2 shootout win

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The Abbotsford Canucks right winger Damila Klimovich (46) puts one on net against the San Jose Barracuda goaltender Alexi Melnichuk (1) who makes a save on Sun Nov 14, 2021 in Abbotsford BC (photo by the Abbotsford Canucks)

by Marko Ukalovic

ABBOTSFORD, British Colombia—Sasha Chemlevski scored the lone goal in the shootout as the San Jose Barracuda beat the Abbotsford Canucks 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Abbotsford Centre.

San Jose split the two-game series with their newest Pacific Division rival in the first ever series between the two squads. The Vancouver Canucks moved its AHL team from Utica, New York to the border town 45 miles south of Vancouver.

A scoreless first period saw the Barracuda out shoot the Canucks 10-5 in the opening frame. Both goalies were on their game early on as both Alexei Melnichuk and Michael Dipierto were perfect.

Abbotsford (4-4-2-1) drew first blood early in the second period. Will Lockwood knocked Artemi Kniazev off the puck off from behind the net. Lockwood centered the puck out in front to Chase Wouters who buried the puck past Melnichuk for his first career AHL goal at the 3:35 mark.

San Jose (4-4-1-0) answered back just over a minute later. Zachary Gallant skated out to the point from behind the net and he sent a shot on net that pinballed off of DiPierto over to Evan Weinger who punched home the puck in the crease for his second goal of the season at the 4:52 mark.

Weinger has two goals in his past three games.

Abbotsford regained the lead late in the middle frame. Cameron Shilling sent a shot in on net from the left point that Melnichuk wasn’t able to handle and a crashing Jaris Lukosevicius cleaned up the rebound for his second goal of the season at the 15:38 mark.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer in early in the third period. Ryan Merkley found Noah Gregor with a pass at center ice. Gregor skated into the Canucks zone and fired a rolling puck top-shelf past DiPierto for his co-team lead fourth goal of the season at the 7:47 mark.

With the goal, Gregor has a career high six-game point streak for the ‘Cuda.

San Jose had the ice tilted in their favor in the third period as they out shot Abbotsford 12-1.

Not many scoring chances were generated in the overtime period as there were only a combined four shots on goal.

Melnichuk finished the game 20 saves on 22 shots to earn his third victory of the season. DiPierto made 37 saves on 39 shots in the losing effort.

Each goaltender was brilliant in the shootout as nine straight shooters failed to score until Chmelevski’s heroics ended the game.

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

The Stars of the Game were: 1) Gregor 2) DiPierto 3) Wouters.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda return home to start a three-game homestand on Wednesday 11/17 as they host the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Canucks route Barracuda 7-1

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It was quite an introduction for the San Jose Barracuda meeting the Abbotsford Canucks for the first time on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at Abbotsford Centre as goaltender Alexi Melnichuk was later pulled for Zachary Emond (35) (photo by sjbarracuda.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

ABBOTSFORD, British Colombia—The Abbotsford Canucks had their way with the San Jose Barracuda in a 7-1 victory on Friday evening at Abbotsford Centre in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

The Vancouver Canucks moved their AHL team from Utica, New York to Abbotsford, British Colombia for the 2021-22 season. Abbotsford is right on the Canadian-US border, south of Vancouver.

Abbotsford took control of the game with three unanswered goals in the first period.

Sheldon Rampal opened the scoring with a power play goal just under two minutes into the first period. Nic Petan and Phil Di Giuseppe set up Rampal’s second goal of the season at the 1:57 mark.

It didn’t take long for the Canucks to double its lead. 64 seconds later Jet Woo scored his first goal of the season at the 3:01 mark. Di Giuseppe earned his second point in three minutes with his primary assist on Woo’s goal.

Abbotsford (4-4-2-0) scored their third unanswered goal of the period exactly three minutes later when Woo set up Will Lockwood who beat ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk with a shot for his first goal of the season at the 6:01 mark.

San Jose (3-4-1-0) scored its only goal of the game on the power play late in the opening frame on the power play. Jayden Halbgewachs set up Scott Reedy who beat Canuck’s goalie Michael DiPierto with a shot for his fourth goal of the season at the 18:13 mark.

Abottsford scored the lone goal of the second period with its second power play goal late in the second period. Woo set up Vincent Arseneau who put the puck past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 18:23 mark.

Despite outshooting the Canucks 10-6 in the middle frame, the Barracuda were down three goals entering the third period.

The Canucks made the game a laugher in the third period with three more goals to seal the game.

Zachary Emond replaced Melnichuk to start the third period. Melnichuk finished 17 saves on 21 shots as ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer looked to change things up in the final frame.

Sheldon Dries, who finished with four points in the game, scored an unassisted goal at the 1:08 mark for his sixth goal of the season.

Just over four minutes later, Rampal scored his second goal of the contest and third of the season at the 5:13 mark.

Adam Brubacher closed out the scoring for Abbotsford with his first goal of the season at the 14:40 mark.

Di Giuseppe finished with four assists on the night and Woo had a three-point night with one goal and two assists.

Di Pierto finished the evening stopping 28 of the 29 shots he faced to earn his fourth victory of the season. Emond made two saves on five shots in mop up duty for the ‘Cuda.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-9 on the power play. Abbotsford was 2-for-4.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-game series with Abbotsford on Sunday 11/14 at 4:00pm at Abbotsford Centre.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Happy endings for Barracuda end homestand with 7-5 win over Texas

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San Jose Barracuda Jake McGrew (64) got his first AHL multi goal game scoring twice against the Texas Stars on Sun Nov 7, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, after the San Jose Barracuda (3-3-1-0) had that tough contest against the visiting Texas Stars (4-6-0-0) on Saturday night getting clobbered 7-3 they did a turn about with a 7-5 win over the Stars.

#2 Marko, the seven goals by the Barracuda was their highest scoring of the season they’re making some offense and head coach Roy Sommer who said Saturday’s performance was something he wanted to move away from made it all count Sunday against the Stars.

#3 The Barracuda and Texas set a season high total with six opening period goals, Sunday’s game falls one goal short of the all time most opening period goals in Barracuda history.

#4 Marko talk about Jake McGrew who scored twice on Sunday for his first two goal game of his career.

#5 It’s off to British Columbia as the Barracuda take on the Abbottsford Canucks for a Fri Nov 12th 7:00pm face off and the same two meet again in Abbottsford on Sun Nov 14th for a 4:00 pm face off.

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

Barracuda pick up fourth win out of last six in high scoring 7-5 win over Stars

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San Jose Barracuda celebrate a big win against the Texas Stars at SAP Center in San Jose for a split in the two game series on Sun Nov 7, 2021 (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

By Len Shapiro

The San Jose Barracuda (3-3-1-0) got to set some franchise records after playing just two games with the Texas Stars (4-6-0-0) at SAP Center in San Jose on Sunday’s matinee. The Barracuda and Stars combined for six opening period goals which was one short of the all time record of combine opening period goals. The Barracuda’s seven goals and three power play goals were the most this season for San Jose in their 7-5 win.

The night before (Saturday) the Barracuda were involved in another seven goal affair but that decision went to the Stars 7-3. So if you like offense this was your series to watch. The Barracuda’s John McGrew scored two goals in Sunday’s game for a first multi goal game of his AHL career.

The Barracuda led four different times and exchanged leads with the Stars six different times. Barracuda goaltender Zachary Edmond played in his first AHL start getting his first career win stopping 28 shots allowing five goals and facing 33 shots total. Joachim Blichfield had three points matching his career high in a game and has five points in six games this season.

The Barracuda’s Noah Gregor picked up an assist which extended his point streak to five games and leads the Barracuda in scoring. Dillion Hamaliuk scored in the first period for his first AHL goal. Barracuda scorers for Sunday’s contest against the Stars as follows: McGrew (2), Hamaliuk (1), Chemlevski (1), Blichfeld (1), Kellman (1) and Weinger (1).

The Barracuda hit the road for two games in British Columbia against the Abbotsford Canucks this Friday night at 7:00pm and conclude the series on Sunday at 4:00 pm PST.

Stars take down the Barracuda 7-3

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by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—It was not a good afternoon for the The San Jose Barracuda.

The Texas Stars scored five goals in the final two periods to route the ‘Cuda 7-3 on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost three games in a row and fell under .500 for the first time this season. Texas snapped its three game losing streak.

Both teams used the first 10 minutes of the game as a feeling out process as there were only five combined shots on goal.

Texas (4-5-0-0) was almost gift wrapped a goal thanks to ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk. The second year goalie misplayed the puck behind the net to Stars captain Curtis McKenzie but Melnichuk was able to slide back into the crease preventing the puck from going into the back of the net at the 7:55 mark.

San Jose (2-3-1-0) drew first blood just halfway through the first period. Joachim Blichfeld skated down the right side into the Stars zone. Blichfeld drew three Stars defenders toward him before finding Noah Gregor, who played his first game since being in Covid-19 protocol the past week, all alone in the slot. Gregor snapped home a wrist shot to the short side beating Stars goalie Jake Oettinger for his third goal of the season at the 12:30 mark.

Gregor led the ‘Cuda was involved in all three of the Barracuda’s goal on the afternoon.

“It was three points good,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer when asked how good it was to Gregor back in the lineup. “But you can’t rely on one line to get all the points for us right now.”

The Stars answered back on the power play late in the opening frame. With San Jose in the sinbin for too many men on the ice, Anthony Louis fed a pass back up to the point where Andres Borgman fired a one-timer through a sea of traffic into the back of the net for his third goal of the season at the 14:50 mark.

Texas earned its first lead of the game with 63 seconds left in the period. Gregor turned the puck over inside his own defensive zone. Fredrick Karlstrom found Nicholas Caamano in the left slot. Caamano centered the puck over to Oskar Back whose shot deflected off Caamano for his second goal of the season.

The Stars struck early in the second period early after the ‘Cuda were guilty of another turnover trying to clear their own zone. Josh Melnick finished off a two-on-one when he buried a one-timer past Melnichuk after receiving a cross ice pass from Karlstrom. The Stars third unanswered goal was Melnick’s second goal of the season at the 3:28 mark.

San Jose cut the lead to a one a goal deficit with a power play goal of their own. Gregor found Scott Reedy below the net on the right side. Reedy fed a backhanded pass to Jayden Halbgewachs in the slot and the ‘Cuda left winger buried a one-timer to the far side past Oettinger for his third goal of the season at the 6:15 mark.

Texas regained a two-goal lead late in the middle frame. San Jose failed to clear the puck out its own zone when a shot from the point by Ben Gleason pinballed off a couple of ‘Cuda defenders out to the front of the crease. Karlstrom came in a lifted a backhander top shelf past Melnichuk for his second goal of the game at the 15:52 mark.

The Barracuda once again cut the lead down to one goal with just over a minute remaining in the period. Gregor slid a pass over to Mark Alt at the left point. Alt sent in a wrist shot that deflected off a Stars defender and pass Oettinger for his first goal of the season at the 18:51 mark.

Texas capped off a wild middle frame with its third goal of the period 27 seconds later. Joel L’Esperance threaded a nifty backhanded pass between two ‘Cuda defenders over to Riley Tufte whose quick wrist shot beat Melnichuk for his fourth goal of the season at the 19:18 mark.

‘Cuda goalie Zachary Emond, who was recently called up from the Orlando Solar Bears, made his AHL debut when he replaced Melnichuk to start the third period. Melnichuk made 13 saves on 18 shots in 40:00 of action.

The Stars scored a controversial goal just over three minutes into the third period. Caamano crashed into Emond as he came in on an coast-to-coast rush in what appeared to have been goalie interference. With Emond down and out of the net, Alex Petrovic fired the puck into an empty net. After deliberation from the officials on the ice, Petrovic was awarded the unassisted goal, his first of the season at the 3:09 mark.

“That was a bullsh*t goal. He (the referee) should’ve blew the whistle. He (Emond) was down for five seconds. He was ran over, that’s goalie interference and it’s a sh*t call,” Sommer said.

McKenzie capped off the scoring with a breakaway goal with 30 seconds left remaining for his second goal of the season. McKenzie’s leads the Stars in scoring with seven points on the season (2G,5A).

Oettinger finished the game with 16 saves on 19 shots to earn the victory. Emond stopped 10 of the 12 shots he faced in his first appearance of the season for the ‘Cuda.

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

San Jose is 13-7-1-2 all time against Texas. They went 4-2-0-0 against the Stars last season.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Karlstrom 2) Caamano 3) Gregor

UP NEXT: San Jose conclude their four-game homestand with another battle with Texas on Sunday 11/7 at 3:00pm at SAP Center.

Heat first period outburst buries Barracuda 4-1

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San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat matched up at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Nov 3, 2021 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—There’s a heatwave happening in the Central Valley. And it has nothing to do with the weather.

The Stockton Heat scored three goals is the first period en route to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose is 2-2-0 in its past four games. Stockton have won five games in a row and still haven’t lost in regulation.

Stockton (5-0-1-0) drew first blood four minutes into the first period. A turnover by the Barracuda inside their own zone led to Adam Ruzicka all alone on ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk. Ruzicka made one move before lifting a backhander past Melnichuk for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:04 mark. Jacob Pelletier was credited with an assist.

Pelletier now has eight points (2G, 6A) in fives game for Stockton to begin his rookie season.

Stockton doubled its lead just under two minutes later. Glenn Gawdin skated around Adam Parsells and sent a pass through the crease over to Luke Philip who tapped home the puck into an empty net for his third goal of the season at the 5:54 mark.

The Heat scored their goal of the period on the power play. Andy Welinski sent a pass from the point over to the right faceoff circle to Martin Pospisil who sent a wrist shot on net. Ruzicka, who was camped out in front of the crease, redirected the puck past Melnichuk for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season at the 11:13 mark.

San Jose (2-2-1-0) weren’t able to generate much offense as they were busy killing off penalties in the entire second half of the period. Their best chance to get on the scoreboard was on a short-handed odd man rush where Kyle Topping’s shot was saved by Heat goalie Dustin Wolf.

Stockton out shot San Jose 14-6 in the opening 20 minutes.

It’s been a tough few days for ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. The game in Stockton was canceled due to two San Jose players and their goalie coach that tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday afternoon. That had left the team with only 12 players available to play.

There was no time for the recent callup from Orlando to get any practice time before tonight’s game.

“That’s probably the best team in the division and we were a little shorthanded on the back,” said Sommer. “And the guys (who just got here) haven’t had (a chance to) practice yet. They just got off the plane today. So that made a big difference.”

The Heat extended its lead with their second power play goal of the game midway through the second period. Ruzicka sent in a wrist shot on Melnichuk that was initially stopped but Pospisil cleaned up the rebound with a backhand shot for his second goal of the season at the 8:12 mark.

San Jose finally got on the board late in the middle frame. Cole Moberg sent a shot on net from the right end line. The puck ricochet off Wolf into the middle as Scott Reedy crashed in and put the puck into the back of the net for his third goal of the season at the 12:57 mark.

“Just not a real good hockey game (from us). (We) didn’t come out of our end real clean. Turned some pucks over in the neutral zone and didn’t have any (offensive) zone time,” Sommer said.

A scoreless third period featured lots of chippiness between the two teams that have no love lost for one another. Multiple scrums with pushing and shoving ensued throughout the final 20 minutes.

Wolf finished the game with 22 shots on 24 shots to earn the victory. Melnichuk stopped 24 of the 28 shots he faced in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Stockton went 2-for-5.

‘Cuda forward Timur Ibragimov was injured in the third period with an apparent lower body injury when he was tripped up inside the Heat zone. He was not able to finish the game.

This was the first meeting between the two clubs since March 10, 2020, marking a 603 day gap between games.

The Barracuda are 34-20-2, including 18-11-1-0 at home, all time against the Heat.

Forward Noah Gregor remained on the Covid-19 protocol list. Goalie Zachary Sawchenko was released from the list.

San Jose recalled goalie Zachary Emond, defenseman Montana Onyebuchi and forwards Jake McGrew and Kyle Topping from the ECHL’s Solar Bears on Monday.

UP NEXT: San Jose host the Texas Stars on Saturday 11/6 at 1:15pm at SAP Center.