Tag: AHL

Gulls down Barracuda 4-2, take 2-1 series lead

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Despite getting two goals from forward Jon Martin, it wasn’t enough for the San Jose Barracuda as the San Diego Gulls held on for a 4-2 victory in Game 3 of their best of five series on Monday night at SAP Center.

It’s now a do-or-die situation for San Jose as they face their first elimination game on Wednesday night.

San Jose (1-2) drew first blood early in the first period. Matt Fonteyne led a three-on-two rush down the right lane. He fed a pass to an incoming Martin, who skated in and using the Gulls defender as a screen, and snapped a wrist shot past the five-hole of Gulls goalie Jeff Glass (2-1) for his second goal of the playoffs at the 2:48 mark.

San Diego (2-1) scored the equalizer right at the end of the opening 20 minutes. Sam Carrick carried the puck behind the net and fed a centering pass to a wide open Sam Steel, who one-timed the puck into the top left corner for his second goal of the playoffs at the 19:21 mark.

Cuda goalie Josef Korenar (1-2) was impressive in the first period, stopping 11 of the 12 shots he faced including two separate point-blank chances from Kalle Kossila in the first five minutes and Kiefer Sherwood in the last five minutes.

San Diego gained their first lead of the game on the power play early in the second period. A shot from the point bounced around a scrum in front of the net. Ben Street collected the puck skated out to the middle of the circles and fired a wrist shot into the top right corner, beating a screened Korenar for his first goal of the playoffs at the 3:41 mark. Max Jones and Carrick were credited with assists.

The Gulls extended their lead to 3-1 when Justin Kloos led a two-on-one odd man rush down the left wing. He found a wide open Chase De Leo, who skated in all alone and made a fore-hand to back-hand move sliding the puck just underneath the glove of Korenar, for his third goal of the playoffs at the 16:47 mark.

“It didn’t seem like a playoff game for some of em,” a disappointed head coach Roy Sommer said regarding his team’s performance. “I was kind of disappointed in half our forwards were engaged and half the defensemen.”

The Cuda cut the deficit to a goal when Jon Martin scored his second goal of the evening.  Jacob Middleton’s shot from the slot hit the post and the rebound caromed over to Maxim Letunov that bounced off his stick over to Martin, who was camped out just to the left of the net and he buried the puck top-shelf for his third goal of the playoffs at the 18:44 mark.

It’s always nice to contribute (offensively),” said Martin. “Our linemates Maxi (Letunov) and Matty (Fonteyne) were flying out, they made things nice and easy. It starts on our end. We’re getting the pucks out and getting on the fore-check.

Adam Cracknell sealed the deal with an empty-net goal after Steel won the race to a loose puck and centered it to a wide-open Cracknell.

“You know what our backs are against the wall now,” said Cuda captain John McCarthy. “We gotta worry about Wednesday, take a look at it (the video) tomorrow, figure out what we gotta fix (in our game) and go from there.”

Glass made 20 saves, including two back-to-back saves with three minutes left in regulation, on 22 shots to earn his second win of the playoffs. Korenar made 32 saves on 35 shots in suffering the tough luck loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/1 on the power play. San Diego was 1/4.

Evan Weinger snapped his two-game point streak. The rookie forward still leads the Cuda in points in the series with four.

The announced attendance was 5,848.

UP NEXT: Game 4 is on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00 pm at SAP Center.

Barracuda take down Gulls 5-3, even series at 1-1

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda were determined and played like a desperate team after a heartbreaking loss 24 hours earlier. They were rewarded for their effort in a 5-3 victory over the San Diego Gulls in Game 2 to even up their best of five series at one game apiece on Thursday night at Pachenga Arena in San Diego, Calif.

San Jose (0-1) drew first blood with Evan Weinger skated in and made a great deke forehand to backhand and slid the puck past Gulls goalie Jeff Glass as he literally crashed into the net for his first goal of the playoffs at the 12:19 mark. Jayden Halbgewachs and Cuda captain John McCarthy were credited with assists.

The Cuda doubled their lead on a five-on-three power play early on the power play. Gambrell put a shot on net and TJ Hensick was able to tap it past a sprawling Glass as he reached back for the puck to no avail. Hensick’s second goal of the playoffs came at the 5:44 mark. Ivan Chekhovich received the secondary assist.

San Diego (1-0) cut the lead in half 31 seconds later, thanks to a turnover by Cavan Fitzgerald led to a two-on-one odd man rush led by Sam Steel. Steel fed a pass over to Chase De Leo, who buried the puck past Cuda goalie Josef Korenar for a short-handed goal at the 6:15 mark.

San Jose regained their two-goal lead when Maxim Letunov made a pass to Jon Marin below the goal line. Martin then made a heads-up play by banking the puck off of Glass that rattled between his pads into the back of the net for Martin’s first goal of the playoffs at the 9:27 mark. Chekhovich recorded his second assist on the evening.

San Diego didn’t go quietly in the third period. Andy Welinski sent in a shot towards the goal that Justin Kloos was able to redirect past Korenar for his first goal of the playoffs at the 15:46 mark.

Halbgewachs iced the game after taking a pass from Weinger and buried the puck into an empty net with Glass pulled for an extra attacker at the 18:03 mark.

Korenar stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced to earn his first career playoff victory. Glass made 22 saves on 25 shots in the tough luck loss.

Steel scored with 27 seconds left, but it too little, too late for San Diego as Weinger scored an empty-net goal with 22 second remaining.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1/5 on the power play. San Diego was 0/2.

Things got chippy at the end as seven combined players received roughing minors at the end of the game.

The announced attendance was 6,010.

UP NEXT: The series shifts back up to San Jose on Monday, April 21 at 7:00 pm at SAP Center.

Gulls edge Barracuda 6-5 on controversial goal in overtime

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The playoffs are a whole different beast and if the first game of the opening round series between San Diego Gulls and the San Jose Barracuda is an indication on of what we’re in for you better strap on your helmet and don’t even think about blinking.

In a game that featured both starting goaltenders getting yanked in the first 10 minutes of the game, San Diego was the last man standing in a 6-5 victory on the final controversial goal on Wednesday evening at Pachenga Arena in San Diego, Calif.

Max Jones sent in a shot on goal that Cuda goalie Josef Korenar had stopped and had the puck covered with is glove. Keifer Sherwood crashed into Korenar sending the puck into the net for the game-winner at the 1:13 mark of overtime.

The Cuda argued the whistle should have blown to stop play, but to no avail as the referees ruled it a good goal for Sherwood, his second of the evening..

San Jose (0-1) drew first blood early in a wild first period. Kyle Wood found Ivan Chekhovich at the left point. Chekhovich fired a shot that TJ Hensick was able to redirect the puck past Gulls goalie Kevin Boyle for his seventh career playoff goal at the 3:17 mark.

The Cuda doubled their just over two minutes later. Alex True fed a pass down below the goal to Jeffery Viel. Viel, playing in his first AHL playoff game, was able to sneak his wrap around attempt past the five-hole of Boyle for his first goal of the playoffs at the 5:27 mark. Anti Suomela received the secondary assist.

Less than a minute later San Jose jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Hensick passed the puck to a wide-open Dylan Gambrell, who worked his away from behind the net, snapped a wrist shot past Boyle at the 6:15 mark. That would be the end of the night Boyle. Jeff Glass relieved Boyle after he gave up three goals on just seven shots.

San Diego (1-0) answered back with the next three goals. Simon Benoit fed a pass over to Jacob Larsen at the right point where Larsen was able to wire a wrist shot through a screened Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau into the back of the net at the 7:10 mark.

Then, 37 seconds later, Ben Street centered a pass over to Sam Carrick, who buried a shot past Bibeau for his first playoff goal at the 7:47 mark.

San Diego scored the equalizer less than three minutes later. Carrick found Keifer Sherwood, who skated in and beat Bibeau with a wrist shot. That would be all for Bibeau as Korenar replaced Bibeau, who gave up three goals on eight shots.

Korenar made a fantastic left pad save on Jake Dotchin, while San Diego was on a power play late in the opening 20 minutes to keep the game tied heading into the first intermission. Both teams had 13 shots apiece.

San Jose regained the lead just under five minutes of the second period. Gambrell threaded a pass over to Chekhovich, who slapped it past Glass for his first professional playoff goal in his fifth career playoff game at the 4:47 mark. Hensick received the secondary assist for a three-point night (1G, 2A).

The Cuda extended their lead to 5-3 when Evan Weigner worked his way around the net, then fed a backdoor pass over to a wide-open John McCarthy. The captain buried the puck into the back of the net for his first goal of the playoffs at the 10:34 mark. Jayden Halbgewachs was credited with the secondary assist.

San Diego cut the deficit to a one goal late in the middle frame.  Carrick blasted a puck from the and Corey Tropp poked home the rebound past the five-hole of Korenar from just above the crease for his first goal of the playoffs at the 14:47 mark.

Chase De Leo got things all even once again under two minutes later. He tipped the puck out of mid-air past Korenar for his first goal of the playoffs at the 16:35 mark. Justin Kloos and Sam Steel were credited with assists.

The third period was scoreless as San Diego outshot San Jose 13-9.

Glass (1-0) made 27 saves on 29 shots in relief to earn the win. Korenar (0-1) made 31 saves on 34 shots in suffering the hard luck loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/3 on the power play. San Diego was 0/2.

Defenseman Ryan Merkley made his playoff debut for San Jose in just his third game with the team.

The announced attendance was 5,709.

UP NEXT: Game 2 between the Barracuda and Gulls is set for Thursday, April 18 at 7:00 pm at Pachenga Arena in San Diego, Calif

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda battle Gulls in San Diego tonight for Game 1 of Calder Cup Playoffs

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sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda share congratulations, concluding their final home game on Saturday April 6th at SAP Center in San Jose. The Barracuda prepare for Game 1 tonight in San Diego in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs.

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 First game tonight in San Diego between the Gulls and Barracuda. How did the two teams match up throughout the season?

#2 Pachenga Arena is noted for it’s sellouts, loud fan support, and one of the toughest venues to play in the AHL. Will this make much a difference to the Barracuda, who’ve played there numerous times this season?

#3 Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer prepares this team to face the Gulls. Is this expected to be an offensive series because the Gulls can play some defense?

#4 There are a number of players who finished the regular season in double figures for goals scored. Talk about the top three: Alexander True (24), Francis Perron (18) and Nick DeSimone (14) and the job they did on scoring this season.

#5 Talk about the goaltenders Antoine Bibeau and Josef Korenar. Can the Barracuda expect to start Bibeau for most of these playoff games?

#6 The Sharks, the Cuda’s parent team, are on the brink of elimination. Do you see the Cuda getting some of those fans for some home games if the Sharks do get eliminated in their first round series with the Vegas Golden Knights?

Join Marko throughout the AHL Calder Cup/San Jose Barracuda post season for exclusive coverage and podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Eagles down Barracuda 3-2 in season finale

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

With nothing on the line to play for, San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer rested the majority of his starters and let a rookie make his professional debut in net. The result was a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Eagles in the season finale on Saturday evening at Budweiser Events Center.

The playoffs are now set as the Cuda will open at home as the second seed against the San Diego Gulls, the number three seed. With the win, the Eagles, combined with the loss of the Tuscon Roadrunners, were able to catapult their way to the fourth and final seed in the Pacific Division in their first season in the AHL. They faceoff against the Pacific Division champion Bakersfield Condors.

Colorado (36-27-4-1) drew first blood in the opening period. Martin Kaut opened up the scoring as he poked the puck over the goal line after Cuda goalie Andrew Shortridge (0-1-0), making his first pro start and debut for San Jose, looked to have secured the initial point shot by David Warsofsky. It was Kaut’s 12th goal of the season at the 14:07 mark.

San Jose (39-22-3-4) outshot Colorado 13-to-11 in the first, but the game would remain at a 1-0 lead for Colorado heading into the first intermission.

In the second period, the Cuda went on their only power-play of the game, but failed to get the equalizer. San Jose generated chance after chance, but Eagles goalie Pavel Francouz (27-17-3) stood his ground and kept San Jose off the scoreboard for the first 40 minutes.

Dominic Toninato doubled the lead for Colorado as he cleaned up a rebound from a shot by Nick Meloce from the right point for his 14th goal of the season at the 4:34 mark of the third period.

The Eagles extended its lead to 3-0 when they were able to keep the puck inside the Cuda

zone after a brilliant glove save by Shortridge on Michael Joly. Logan O Connor fired home a one-timer from along the left-wing for his 19th goal of the season at the 13:22 mark.

San Jose finally got on the scoreboard late in the final period when Matt Fonteyne threaded a pass over to Evan Weinger who was ale tip the puck past Francouz for his 11th goal of the season the 16:15 mark.

The Cuda would pull Shortridge for an extra attacker in the final minutes. Alex True, who led all players in goals during the regular season, jammed in a rebound past Francouz for his 24th goal of the season with just 1.3 seconds remaining in regulation, but it was too little, too late.

Francouz earned the win and snapped a two-game skid by stopping 30 of 32 shots. Shortridge fared well in his first-ever start, stopping 33 of the 36 shots he faced.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/1 on the power play. Colorado was 0/1.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda will open the first round of the playoffs in San Diego on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 pm at Pachenga Arena in San Diego.

San Jose Barracuda vs. San Diego Gulls First Round Schedule
Game 1 – Wednesday, April 17 at San Diego at 7 pm
Game 2 – Thursday, April 18 at San Diego at 7 pm
Game 3 – Monday, April 22 at San Jose at 7 pm
Game 4 – Wednesday, April 24 at San Jose at 7 pm (if necessary)
Game 5 – Thursday, April 25 at San Jose at 7pm (if necessary)

Barracuda outduel Eagles 3-1

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda are flying high as they looked to finish off the regular season on a strong note and that they did. They score three unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Friday night at Budweiser Events Center.

With the win, their fourth in a row, the Cuda moved into a first place tie with the Bakersfield Condors at 85 points. The Condors have a game in hand on San Jose heading into the weekend with games against the Ontario Reign and Stockton Heat.

Nick DeSimone scored what proved to be the game-winning goal right at the end of the second period, Evan Weinger gained the line down the right-wing and made a drop pass over to DeSimone, who fired the puck past the short side of Francouz for his 14th goal of the season at the 19:48 mark.

The first period had no scoring as both goaltenders did their part to keep the game scoreless, despite power play opportunities for each team. San Jose outshot Colorado 11-9.

The Cuda had two golden chances to break the seal halfway through the second period. Ryan Merkeley, who made his debut for the Cuda tonight, found himself one-on-one against Eagles goalie Pavel Francouz (26-17-3) — only to have Francouz rob the San Jose Sharks 2018 first round draft pick. Then Anti Suomela had a shot hit off the post that beat Francouz.

Colorado (35-27-4-1) drew first blood with just over six minutes left in the middle frame. Sergei Boikov led a two-on-one odd man rush and feathered a pass over to Michael Joly, who buried the puck Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (16-13-5) for his 15th goal of the season at the 13:57 mark.

The lead would last a mere nine seconds as San Jose (39-21-3-4) came back on the next shift and scored the equalizer. Suomela centered a pass from below the goal line over to Jeffery Viel who batted the puck out of mid-air into the back of the net for his 11th goal of the season at the 14:06 mark.

The Cuda would get an insurance goal early in the third period. TJ Hensick found Dylan Gambrell above the right face-off circle and he snapped a low wrist shot past Francouz for his 20th goal of the season at the 2:10 mark.

Bibeau finished the night, making 27 saves on 28 shots for his second consecutive victory. Francouz suffered his second straight defeat, allowing three goals on 34 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/5 on the power play. Colorado was 0/5.

The announced attendance was 5,289.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda finish the regular season against the Eagles on Saturday, April 13 at 6:00 pm at Budweiser Events Center.

Barracuda hold for 4-3 win over Gulls, secure home ice for playoffs

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sjbarracuda.com photo

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda are starting to peak at the right time with the playoff right around the corner. They scored four unanswered goals and held on late for a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday evening at Pechanga Arena.

With the win, San Jose clinched home ice for the first round of the playoffs and remain only two points back of Bakersfield for first place in the Pacific Division with two games left in the season.

San Diego (35-24-3-4) drew first blood halfway through the first period when Jack Kopacka sent a pass over to Justin Kloos, who chipped the puck underneath the cross-bar past Cuda goalie Josef Korenar (23-8-2) for his 18th goal of the season at the 9:46 mark.

San Jose (38-21-3-4) scored the equalizer in the second period. Maxim Letunov won a faceoff back to the point where Thomas Gregoire fired a shot on net where Francis Perron tip the through the five-hole of Gulls goalie Kevin Boyle (24-13-1) for his 18th goal at the 11:33 mark.

The Cuda gained the nearly three minutes later when Letunov centered a pass from below the goal line out to the low slot where Jon Martin slid the puck past Boyle for his 11th goal of the season at the 14:27 mark.

San Jose took control of the game going up 3-1 with 10 seconds left in the middle frame. Captain John McCarthy won a face off over to Evan Weinger. Weinger sneaked a wrist shot past Boyle through a sea of traffic for his 10th win of the season at the 19:50 mark.

The Cuda scored their final goal halfway through the third period when Martin poked a Perron pass over to Letunov that sent him on a breakaway. Letunov made a nice backhand-to-forehand move to deke out Boyle for his 12th goal of the season and third point of the night at the 9:48 mark.

San Diego wouldn’t go away quietly. Ben Street scored a power play goal for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:45 mark. Then, Corey Troop concluded the scoring with seven seconds left when he scored his 20th goal of the season at the 19:53 mark.

Korenar made 29 saves on 32 San Diego shots to earn his third consecutive win, while Boyle (24-13-1) suffered the loss after giving four goals on 33 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose struggled on the power play going 0/6. San Diego was 1/3.

The announced attendance was 8,036.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda travel to Colorado for the final two games of the season on Friday, April 12 at 6:05 pm at Budweiser Events Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: It gets tougher after sweeping Grand Rapids, Cuda face off against Gulls in San Diego tonight

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sjbarracuda.com photo: San Jose Barracuda defenseman Nick DeSimone (57) speaks with goaltender Antoine Bibeau (34) during a recent home game against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Barracuda prepare to face the San Diego Gulls tonight.

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, how important was it for the Barracuda (36-21-3) to come back on a team like the Grand Rapid Griffins (36-24-6) one goal down and come up with a win 5-4 in the home stretch before the postseason?

#2 The Rapids are one of the AHL’s toughest customers. This was the same team the Barracuda had to face when they went deep in the postseason last year.

#3 Luaks Radil, who scored the game-winner for San Jose, said that it was important to get the two wins over Grand Rapids this past weekend and important for the team to keep working like this.

#4 The Cuda line of Gambrell, Hensick and Chekhovich was the best offensive line this weekend as they were involved in three of the eight goals scored against Grand Rapids.

#5 Regular season isn’t over yet. The Barracuda are on the road tonight in San Diego, and the last time they met, the Gulls edged the Barracuda 4-3.

Marko Ukalovic is a San Jose Barracuda beat writer and does the Barracuda podcasts each Wednesday and through the AHL playoffs at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda upend Griffins in OT 5-4

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — In a wild game that went back and forth between two teams looking ahead to the playoffs, the San Jose Barracuda came back from a two-goal deficit to win 5-4 in overtime over the Grand Rapids Griffins in the home season finale on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

With the win, San Jose now has 81 points on the season and not only are they four points ahead of San Diego for second place in the Pacific Division, but are also just two points behind Bakersfield for the top spot. If Colorado were to lose against Chicago later on tonight, San Jose would clinch its fourth consecutive playoff berth.

Antti Suomela led a three-on-one odd man rush after poking the puck away in the Cuda zone. He skated down to the left slot and sent a cross-ice pass to a wide-open Luaks Radil, who slammed a one-timer past Griffins goalie Pat Nagle (0-0-1), making his debut for Grand Rapids, for the game-winning goal and his fourth of the season at the 2:39 mark.

“It was really important for us to get the two wins (this weekend),” said Radil. “I feel like we have to keep going and keep working like that. (We have) three games left I think, then it’s (time for the) playoffs and we’ll see what happens.”

San Jose (36-21-3-4) drew first blood halfway through the first period. Ivan Chekhovich skated down the left boards and center a pass over to Dylan Gambrell, who chipped it in over Nagle for his 19th goal of the season at 10:56 mark. TJ Hensick received the secondary assist.

The Cuda line of Gambrell, Hensick and Chekhovich were the best offensive line this weekend as they were involved in three of the eight goals scored against Grand Rapids.

“I think tonight it really showed,” said Gambrell. “Just a lot of communication. We’re kind of finding each other, supporting each other really well. Hopefully we can continue to develop that chemistry.”

“They’ll bring you out on the ends of your seats,” said Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “They got a lot of offense. They all think the game so well. It’s a pretty line to watch and could be a new line for us come playoff time. That looks like a line to be reckoned with.”

Grand Rapids (38-24-6-4) evened up the game on the power play toward the end of the opening 20 minutes. Axle Holmstrom was able clean up a rebound with a backhander past Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (14-13-5) on a shot by Colin Campbell for his 12th goal of the season at the 18:04 mark. Filip Zadina were credited with the secondary assist.

Shot were even at eight apiece between the two teams as they headed into the first intermission.

Grand Rapids took advantage of a five-on-three power play to take their first lead in the second period. Dennis Chowlowski sent a pass over to the left slot to Carter Camper who wristed a centering pass over to Chris Terry, who buried the puck past Bibeau for his team-leading 29th goal of the season at the 5:38 mark.

The Griffins went up 3-1 on a short-handed gift delivered by the Cuda. Zadina was able to chip the puck out of the their own zone that led to a breakaway opportunity for Campbell, who skated in and hit the crossbar with shot and . Defenseman Nick DeSimone tried to control the puck with his glove, but inadvertently knocked the puck into the net underneath Bibeau. Campbell was credited with an unassisted goal for his eighth of the season at the 12:54 mark.

The Cuda responded less than a minute later on the same power play. Cavan Fitzgerald sent a cross-ice pass from the right point over to the left, where Kyle Wood wired a shot off the pads of Nagle. Jayden Halbgewachs cashed in on the rebound just to the left of the crease for his 13th goal of the season at the 13:50 mark.

The Cuda scored the equalizer just over a minute to start the third period. Chekovich wont a battle along the right boards, fed a pass over to Gambrell who danced around back into the middle of the slot, and made a sweet back hand pass over to a wide-open Hensick who tapped in the puck into an empty net for his sixth goal of the season at the 1:10 mark.

Grand Rapids regained the lead on a delayed penalty call four minutes later. Giavani Smith sent a pass back to the point, where Libor Sulak rifled a shot top-shelf into the upper right corner past Bibeau for his fifth goal of the season at the 5:17 mark.

Once again, the Cuda would not go down gently. Captain John McCarthy won a battle behind the net, tipped a pass over to Halbgewachs, who centered the puck out in front of the crease, where Vladislav Kotkov was waiting and buried a point-blank shot past Nagle for his first-ever professional goal of his career at the 8:07 mark.

Bibeau finished the game with 25 saves on 29 shots to earn his 15th victory of the season. Nagle made 20 saves on 25 shots in his debut in suffering the defeat.

“The guys some character,” said Bibeau on how the team was able to come back and win. “(We) scored a power play goal. The third period was a wild period too but we found a way to stay on top so that’s all that matters.”

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1/5 on the power play. It is the sixth straight game the Cuda have scored a power play goal. Grand Rapids was 2/4. It snapped a string of 24 consecutive penalty kills by San Jose over their past six games. San Jose’s penalty kill is now ranked 8th in the AHL.

San Jose went 3-0-1-0 against Grand Rapids this season and are 5-1-0-2 all time.

The announced attendance for the final home game of the regular season was 4,286.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda head down to San Diego on Wednesday, April 10 to take on the Gulls in a Pacific Division battle at 7:00 pm at Pechanga Arena.

Barracuda take down Griffins 3-1

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — After a lackluster effort two nights ago, the San Jose Barracuda played like a desperate hockey team and took a another step forward in trying to clinch a playoff spot with a 3-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday evening at SAP Center.

Evan Weinger came in on a three-on-one and found a trailing Jayden Halbgewachs wide open in the middle of the slot and he fired a one timer past Griffins goalie Patrik Rybar for what proved to be the game winning goal at the 8:48 mark of the third period. It was his 12th goal of the season for Halbgewachs and snapped six-game goal-less drought for the speedy forward.

“Playing with a little desperation,” said Halbgewachs. “I mean we want to finish with a run here for second place. Going into the playoffs you gotta make a big push and it all starts right now.”

“Halbs (Halgewachs) has been snake-bit,” said Cuda head coach Roy Sommer.  He’s been in the right spots but they haven’t been going in for him. So it was good to see he got rewarded (tonight).”

San Jose (36-21-3-4) drew first blood early in the first period on a four-on-three power play. Dylan Gambrell fed a pass from the high slot over to the left face-off circle to TJ Hensick, who quickly sent a cross-ice pass through the crease to a wide open Ivan Chekhovich, who blasted a one-timer it past the five-hole of Griffins goalie Patrik Rybar (16-14-5) for a tic-tac-toe goal at the 2:45 mark.

It was Chekhovich’s first goal of the season in his season debut with the Cuda since being called up following the conclusion of his third junior season at Baie-Comeau of the QMJHL.

“I feel really comfortable,” said Chekhovich after being back in the AHL. “Especially to score from the first shot in the first game. I’m pretty excited to be here.”

Chekhovich said the biggest difference between the juniors and the AHL is the speed of the game.

“You have to be aware and be faster. Every player up here are smart (and) you have to be ready.”

Cuda goalie Josef Korenar (22-8-2) was stellar in the opening 20 minutes. He came up with two big saves late in the period, while Grand Rapids was on the power play, including stopping a breakaway attempt by Wade Megan with under two minutes left.

“I just try to focus on the game,” said Korenar. “Breakaways happen, I think it was three of them tonight, but I stopped them. I like it when I get a lot of shots like in the first period.”

Grand Rapids (38-24-6-4) striked for the equalizer early in the second period. Libor Sulak skated down the right boards and threw the puck at the net that redirected off of Troy Loggins’ stick past Korenar for the rookie’s first career goal in his second game with the Griffins at the 4:06 mark.

San Jose outshot Grand Rapids by a slim margin of 10-9 in the middle frame, but headed into the second intermission tied up at 1-1.

Grand Rapids put on the pressure with Rybar pulled for an extra attacker with under a minute left in the final period and threw a flurry of shots at Korenar, who stood strong to close out the game without any further damage by the Griffins.

Kyle Wood iced the game with an unassisted empty-net goal with 34 seconds left for his sixth goal of the season.

“I wasn’t too happy about Wednesday (against San Diego),” said Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “Too many passengers and not enough guys on the bus. But tonight different story. I thought all four lines contributed. Our goaltender was real good for us. We got a goal at the right time.”

Korenar made 24 saves on 25 shots to earn his 22nd win on the season. Rybar made 27 saves on 29 shots in suffering the defeat.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1/3 on the power play. Grand Rapids was 0/4.

Forward Lukas Radil was in the lineup for San Jose after being reassigned by the San Jose Sharks.

Cuda forward Jon Martin was not disciplined by the AHL for his major penalty for spearing on Wednesday night against San Diego. He was a healthy scratch tonight.

The announced attendance was 5,422.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda take on the Griffins in the home season finale on Saturday, April 6 at 1:15 pm at SAP Center.