San Jose Barracuda players celebrate their 4-1 win over the Calgary Wranglers at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday NOV 5, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)
by Mark Ukalovic
Dustin Wolf is human after all.
It was a game of firsts as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Calgary 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
San Jose snapped its six-game losing streak while earning its first road win of the season. Calgary suffered its first regulation loss of the season and first loss at home.
Wolf, who was 12-0 against the Barracuda in his career, had his first defeat against the Sharks organization as he also had a win against the Sharks last season when he was on the Calgary Flames.
San Jose (2-4-3) drew first blood early in the first period with a four-on-four goal. Henry Thrun was credited with his first career goal. The rookie defenseman’s pass intended for Cole Cassels went off the skate of a Wranglers defenseman at the 6:50 mark. It was the first time the Barracuda have had a lead in the Saddledome since last season.
Calgary (6-1-1) despite outshooting San Jose 9-6 in the opening 20 minutes, weren’t able to capitalize on their power play opportunities when Brandon Coe went off for a double-minor for high sticking at the 6:33 mark.
The Wranglers once again dominated the shot clock in the second period (12-6) but the combo of the ‘Cuda defense and goalie Gregori Romanov kept the home team off the scoreboard in the middle frame. Romanov made a sprawling save on a point-blank chance by Adam Klapka at the 7:51 mark.
San Jose doubled its lead to start the third period with an even strength goal. Jacob Peterson found Danil Gushchin in the neutral zone. Gushchin skated in and beat Wolf top-shelf with a wrist shot for his team-leading fourth goal of the season at th 1:02 mark.
The Barracuda scored its third unanswered goal 58 seconds later. A Ozzy Weisblatt threw a shot toward the middle that was blocked. Tanner Kaspick picked up the loose puck and wired a wrist shot past Wolf for his second goal of the season.
Calgary spoiled Romanov’s first shutout bid when Mitch McClain scored his second goal of the season at the 18:04 mark.
Radim Simek completed the scoring with an empty net goal, his second goal of the season with 23 seconds left.
Romanov (2-0-2) finished with 34 saves on 35 shots to earn his second victory of the season. Wolf (5-1-0) made 14 saves on 17 shots in suffering his first lost of the season.
GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for 3 on the power play. Calgary was 0-for-6.
The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Romanov 2) Thrun 3) Kaspick.
UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Charlote Checkers for a two-game series on Friday 11/10 at Tech CU Arena.