Tag: AHL

San Diego Gulls defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka beats San Jose Barracuda forward Donovan Houle to a loose puck during the Gulls 5-4 overtime victory over the Barracuda at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday MAR 5, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Ryan Carpenter came back to San Jose to haunt his former team.

Carpenter scored the game winning goal in overtime as the San Diego Gulls defeated the San Jose Barracuda 5-4 in a game that went back and forth all night long on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

A bad change by the Barracuda led to a two-on-one odd man rush. Former Cuda forward Justin Bailey skated down the left wing before finding Carpenter who wired in a one-timer past Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere for his 16th goal of the season at the 1:04 of the extra session.

San Jose with the loss finished 2-2 on their four-game homestand. San Diego has won seven of its last 10 games.

San Jose (28-20-3-3-62 points) drew first blood late in the first period seconds after a four-minute power play expired. Nikita Nesterenko went to the sinbin with a double minor for high sticking Luca Cagnoni. Ethan Cardwell led a rush into the Gulls zone. Cardwell dished the puck over Walker Duehr near the blueline. Duehr skated from right to left, maneuvering around Ryan Carpentar. Duehr beat Gulls goalie Ville Husso with a wrist to the short side for his 12th goal of the season and first in a Cuda uniform at the 19:12 mark.

Duehr made his Barracuda debut after clearing waivers two days ago after being released by the San Jose Sharks. Duehr, who also scored in his Sharks debut when he was claimed off waivers after being released by the Calgary Flames, was on the second line with Danil Gushchin and Rem Pitlick.

San Diego (21-25-5-3-50 points) despite having a power play opportunity near the halfway mark of the opening frame, weren’t able to generate many scoring chances as they were outshot 11-7 by San Jose.

The Gulls evened the contest with an even strength goal early in the second period. A fortunate bounce off the boards led to an odd man rush for San Diego. Coulson Pitre’s shot was kicked out by Cuda goalie Gabrielle Carriere. However, Judd Caulfield cleaned up the rebound into an open net for his sixth goal of the season at the 5:06 mark.

The Barracuda regained the lead exactly 60 seconds later. A faceoff win by Pitlick led to Duehr sending the puck back up to the point. Braden Hache sent a shot on net that deflected off of a Gulls defender skate to the far side of the net for his first career AHL goal at the 6:06 mark.

San Diego scored its second equalizer of the game with a power play goal at the halfway mark of the middle frame. Nico Myatovic centered a pass from being the Cuda net out to an unmarked Yegor Sidorov who beat Carriere with a wrist shot for his 14th goal of the season at the 9:56 mark.

San Jose earned its third lead of the game just over three minutes later. Hache kept the puck inside the Gulls zone on a clearing attempt. Andrew Poturalski picked up the puck along the left boards and danced around in the slot before releasing a wrist shot that beat a screened Husso for his team leading 24th goal of the season at the 13:05 mark.

Jan Mysak scored the third equalizer goal for San Diego and its third goal of the period with a four-on-four goal. Sidorov gave Mysak the puck at the left point. Mysak skated down the wing and rifled a wrist shot off of the far post and into the back of the net for his 14th goal of the season at the 16:48 mark.

Ethan Cardwell gave the Barracuda its fourth lead of the game near the halfway mark of the third period. Thomas Bordeleau gloved down a clearing attempt in the left slot. Bordeleau found Poturalski down low to the left of the crease. Poturalski threaded a pass between his legs over to Cardwell who buried a point-blank shot past Husso for the ninth goal of the season at the 7:47 mark.

Once again like a broken record, the Gulls tied it up at four goals apiece just past the halfway mark of the period. Nesterenko picked up the puck along the right boards. Nesterenko skated down below the goal line before centering a pass with one hand over to Mysak who beat Carriere with a quick one-timer for his second goal of the game and 15th of the season at the 11:42 mark.

Husso (10-5-0-3) stopped 30 of 34 shots he faced to earn his 10th victory of the season. Carriere (5-4-1) made 23 saves on 28 shots in the losing effort.

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

Bordeleau, who picked up the secondary assist on Cardwell’s goal, recorded his 100th career AHL point.

Poturalski has nine points in his three games and leads the AHL with 60 points.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Mysak (2G,0A) 2) Cardwell (1G,1A) 3) Poturalski (1G,1A).

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a four-game road trip with a weekend series against the Abbotsford Canucks on Friday 3/8 at 7:00pm at Abbotsford Centre.

San Jose Barracuda forward Ethan Cardwell celebrates his game winning goal in overtime with defenseman Braden Hache (#86) and the rest of his teammates after his team’s 6-5 win over the Henderson Silver Knights at Tech CU Arena on Sunday MAR 2, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Danil Gushchin’s first career hat trick which included two goals to even the game late in the third period propelled an unfathomable comeback as the San Jose Barracuda overcame a two-goal deficit to win 6-5 in overtime over the Henderson Silver Knights on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

Andrew Poturalski set up Ethan Cardwell’s game winning goal 41 seconds into the overtime period to give San Jose a thrilling comeback win after blowing two different two-goal leads earlier in the game. Cardwell skated in with speed from the right wing before depositing a wrist shot to the short side for his ninth goal of the season.

“I got some speed through the neutral zone, and I figured why not use one more burst before I changed. And I was lucky enough to see (the) middle (of the) ice and took my chance when I got it. There was little opening in the top right corner, and I was lucky enough to find it,” Cardwell said.

San Jose swept the weekend series and finished 6-1-0-1 against their Pacific Division rival in the season series. Henderson has dropped two in a row after being 8-2 in its past 10 games as they anchor the division.

San Jose (28-20-2-3-61 points) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Cardwell skated from behind the net and sent the puck up to the left slot where Lucas Carlsson blasted a one-timer past Silver Knights goalie Akira Schmid through the five-hole for his ninth goal of the season at the 5:09 mark.

“When we play the right way, I think we’re a pretty good team. (In the) first period tonight, we took care of the puck, put it in the right places and were able to get it back. Spent the majority of the period in the offensive zone,” Barracuda head coach John McCarthy said.

The Barracuda doubled its lead late in the opening frame. After a clean faceoff win by Thomas Bordeleau, Ethan Frisch’s shot from the point was initially saved by Schmid but Poturalski cleaned up the rebound into an open net for his team leading 23rd goal of the season at the 15:43 mark.

Poturalski has 16 multi-point games this season and leads the AHL in points with 57 points in just 49 games.

Henderson (22-30-3-0-50 points) answered back with 19.4 seconds left in the period with a power play goal. Former San Jose Shark defenseman Calen Addison’s shot was cleaned up by Alexander Holtz as he beat Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov with a wrist shot for his first goal of the contest and second goal of the season.

San Jose regained its two-goal lead with a power play goal near the halfway point of the second period. Pavol Regenda sent a pass through the crease to Danil Gushchin. The Russian forward skated into the middle before firing a shot on net. The rebound bounced up in the air and was accidentally knocked into the back of the net by Henderson defenseman Lucas Johansen. It was Gushchin’s 17th goal of the season at the 9:34 mark.

The Silver Knights cut the lead to a one-goal game with its second power play goal of the game late in the middle frame. Addison’s attempted shot on net hit off the skate of Cuda captain Jimmy Schuldt. The rebound went to the stick of Holtz who buried a one-timer into an open net for his second goal of the game and third goal of the season at the 15:54 mark.

Holtz, who played in just his fifth game with the Silver Knights, completed his hat trick, the first of his career, just under two minutes later as Henderson scored the equalizer. Jonas Rondbjerg sent a puck into the Cuda zone. Holtz collected the puck after it pinballed off Schuldt and beat Romanov top-shelf to the short side for his fourth goal of the season at the 17:49 mark.

Holtz wasn’t done as he gave the Silver Knights their first lead with his fourth goal and the team’s third power play goal of the game in the third period. Addison found Holtz in the left slot and he buried a wrist shot between the five-hole of Romanov for his fifth goal of the season at the 12:10 mark. Holtz became first player to score four goals in a game against San Jose in its franchise history.

Henderson went up by two goals thanks to a giveaway by the Barracuda at their offensive blue line. Kai Uchacz skated in all alone and beat Romanov with a wrist shot for his 12th goal of the season at the 15:11 mark.

Gushchin started the comeback when he scored his second goal of the game when McCarthy pulled Romanov for an extra attacker with over three minutes remaining in the period. Gushchin picked up the puck along the left boards and skated in before unleashing a wrist shot past a screened Schmid for his 18th goal of the season at the 16:41 mark.

San Jose scored the equalizer when Gushchin completed the hat trick with just 31.2 seconds left in the period to force overtime when once again Romanov was pulled for an extra attacker. Luca Cagnoni found Gushchin along the right slot and Gushchin rifled in a one-time through a sea of traffic in front of Schmid for his 19th goal of the season.

“I think from a character perspective, sticking with it and getting two (goals) with the goalie out and the winner in overtime feels good,” McCarthy said.

Romanov (11-6-3) stopped 20 of the 25 shots he faced in earning his 11th win of the season. It was Romanov’s first start since February 1st against the same Silver Knights club. Schmid (7-18-1) made 40 saves on 46 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Henderson went 3-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Holtz (4G,0A) 2) Gushchin (3G,0A) 3) Cardwell (1G,2A).

UP NEXT: San Jose closes out their four-game homestand against the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday 3/5 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose Barracuda captain Jimmy Schuldt (#59) celebrates Rem Pitlick’s (#90) first goal in a Barracuda uniform along with Danil Gushchin (#75) and Tristen Robins (#52) during the second period of San Jose’s 4-1 win over Henderson at Tech CU Arena on Saturday MAR 1, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda used four different goal scorers in a balanced scoring attack to dominate the Henderson Silver Knights in 4-1 victory on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose had its fifth victory over Henderson this season and is 1-1 on its current four-game homestand. Henderson has lost just for the third time in its past eight games.

The first period was filled with chippy-ness between the two Pacific Division rivals. Two fights happened in the first ten minutes of the game to help set the tone for a physical battle on Renaissance Night.

The Barracuda (27-20-2-3-59 points) drew first blood late in the opening frame. Thomas Bordeleau intercepted a clearing attempt by Matyas Sapovaliv inside the Silver Knights zone. Bordeleau threaded a backhand pass over to Andrew Poturalski who buried a wrist shot past the five-hole of Silver Knights goalie Carl Lindbom for his team leading 22nd goal of the season at the 15:01 mark.

Henderson (22-30-2-0-46 points) was dominated by San Jose in the opening 20 minutes as they were outshot 18-5 and did not generate many scoring chances as Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere was able to easily stop all five shots he faced.

San Jose had a golden opportunity to pad its lead when they had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:43 early in the second period when Sapovaliv went into the sinbin for a high sticking double minor penalty at the 6:59 mark. However, the Cuda weren’t able to capitalize during their extended power play.

The Barracuda scored two goals in a 29 second span late in the middle frame to separate themselves from the Silver Knights. Rem Pitlick scored his first goal in a Cuda uniform at the 18:03 mark. Danil Gushchin found Pitlick in the neutral zone. Pitlick split two Silver Knight defenders on a breakaway and beat Lindbom with a backhand to forehand move to double San Jose’s lead.

Then Pavol Regenda beat Lindbom with a wrist shot under the left arm for his seventh goal of the season at the 18:32 mark. Donavan Houle set up Regenda’s goal from below the goal line. Colin White received the secondary assist.

San Jose opened the third period with its fourth unanswered goal. Bordeleau made a pass between his legs down to the goal line over to Houle who quickly passed it back up to Bordeleau in the slot. Bordeleau beat Lindbom with a wrist shot to finish off the give-and-go with Houle for his 13th goal of the season at the 2:20 mark.

Kai Uchacz spoiled Carriere’s shutout bid with his 11th goal of the season at the 8:14 mark. Uchacz won a battle along the boards with Jake Furlong. Uchacz skated in from the short side and chipped the puck up and over Carriere. Mitch McLain and Calen Addison picked up helpers on the goal.

Carriere (5-4-0) finished the game stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced to pick up his fifth win of the season. Lindbom (13-10-1-2) had a busy night as he made 40 saves on 44 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both teams finished 0-for-5 on the power play.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Bordeleau (1G,1A) 2) Poturalski (1G,1A) 3) Houle (0G, 2A)

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson conclude their two-game weekend series on Sunday 3/2 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose Barracuda forward Tristen Robins (#52) battles for the puck while being tied up by Noah Philp (#15) during the Barracuda’s 3-2 win at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday FEB 26, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Cameron Wright was at the right place at the right time.

Wright scored the game winning goal with 3:15 remaining in the third period to give the Bakersfield Condors a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its past four games and back-to-back at home. Bakersfield snapped its six-game losing streak.

A giveaway by Tristen Robins off of the skate of Rem Pitlick in front of his own net set up Wright’s heroics. Wright grabbed the puck and beat Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere with a turnaround wrist shot for his 10th goal of the season.

The first period featured 20 minutes of physicality and chippy-ness. Both teams combined for five big open ice hits, three by San Jose and two by Bakersfield. The physicality led to many after whistle skirmishes with no love lost between both squads in their sixth meeting this season.

San Jose (26-20-2-3-57 points) drew first blood late in the opening frame. Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere sent a clearing attempt that ricochet of the left boards and trickled out to the neutral zone. Thomas Bordeleau gathered the puck, raced down the ice on a breakaway, his second of the period, and glided the puck past Condor’s goalie Olivier Rodrigue through his five-hole with a backhander for his 12th goal of the season at the 15:27 mark.

“Yeah, I wasn’t missing twice,” said Bordeleau when asked about his second breakaway chance. “I just got what the goalie gave me really and I just didn’t have time to roof it. So, I thought the five-hole was going to be a really good option.”

Bakersfield (21-19-6-3-51 points) came within inches of evening the game up while on the power play. However, Carriere made a glove hand save while sprawled down in the crease, robbing an open net chance by notorious Cuda killer Seth Griffith.

“I just kinda just tried to get something over there and luckily it ended up going in my glove. But I was trying to cover as much (ground) as possible,” Carriere said.

The Condors scored the equalizer with 17.6 seconds left in the first 20 minutes. Phil Kemps initial shot was saved by Carriere, but the rebound popped up and was batted in out of midair by Alex Swetlikoff, who was uncontested in front of the crease, for his third goal of the season.

Bakersfield gained its first lead of the game with a five-on-three power play goal late in the second period. With Braden Hache and Luca Cagnoni taking penalties 27 seconds apart, Connor Carrick beat Carriere with a wrist shot to the glove side for his 11th goal of the season at the 13:45 mark. Carrick has scored in four straight games against the Barracuda and has eight points during that stretch. Griffith who picked up the primary assist, now has 43 points in 39 games against San Jose.

“Obvious (we took) a lot of penalties, a lot of penalty kill. It disrupted the flow of the game. And then yeah we gotta take care of the puck better in our own slot…It was an important game for us and I would have liked to have had more of a team wide investment in the game. I didn’t think everybody was into it,” Barracuda head coach John McCarthy said.

San Jose evened the game to start the third period while on a continuation power play from the second period. Cagnoni fed a pass down low to Rem Pitlick near the right boards. Pitlick found Danil Gushchin along the goal line and the Russian forward snuck a wrist shot just inside the right post for his 16th goal of the season 34 seconds in.

The Barracuda’s puck management was poorly managed for the majority of the final frame as they weren’t able to get Carriere off of the ice for an extra attacker until there was under 30 seconds left and never had a good scoring chance at the end of the game for the equalizer.

Rodrigue (15-11-6-1) finished the game stopping 16 of the 18 shots to earn his 15th win of the season. Carriere (4-4-0), who arguably was the Cuda’s best player on the ice, had a busy night and kept San Jose in the game for the entire 60 minutes made 37 saves on 40 shots in the losing battle.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play. Bakersfield went 1-for-6.

Colin White played in his 100 career AHL game.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Wright (1G,0A) 2) Gushchin (1G,0A) 3) Carrick (1G,0A).

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its four-game homestand with a weekend series against the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday 3/1 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.