Tag: San Jose Barracuda

Condors beat up on the Barracuda in 5-1 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda visit the Bakersfield Condors only to get pounded at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Sat Jan 15, 2022 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was night to forget in the Central Valley.

The Bakersfield Condors scored three goals in the first period en route to a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at Mechanics Bank Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four games. Bakersfield has won four games in a row.

Bakersfield (12-8-3-3) jumped out to an early lead in the first period. A turnover inside the ‘Cuda by Evan Weinger led to a two-on-zero chance. Michael Kesselring fed a pass over to Adam Cracknell and he buried a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey for his fifth goal of the season at the 2:45 mark.

Cracknell snapped a 12-game goalless draught.

The Condors doubled its lead halfway through the opening frame. Seth Griffith sent a rink wide pass over to Philip Kemp and he sniped home a wrist shot past Harvey for his second goal of the season at the 9:22 mark.

Bakersfield scored their third unanswered goal late in the period. Brad Malone sprung James Hamblin in all alone on Harvey. Hamblin made a forehand to backhand move to beat Harvey for his sixth goal of the season at the 18:29 mark.

San Jose (13-17-1-0) despite its eight shots weren’t able to generate much offense during the opening 20 minutes.

Hamblin scored his second goal of the game late in the second period. Cooper Marody had a nice give and go with Hamblin on a two-on-one break. Hamblin beat Harvey to the short side for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:48 mark.

Marody extended his points streak to seven and has 11 points in that stretch.

Bakersfield scored its fifth unanswered goal in the first 39 seconds of the third period. Philip Broberg sent a rink wide pass over to Griffith who ripped a wrist shot past Harvey for his ninth goal of the season.

San Jose spoiled Condor’s goalie Olivier Rodrigue shutout bid with its only goal of the game near the halfway mark of the period. Nick Merkley found Steenn Pasichnuk at the right slot and Pasichnuk buried a wrist shot top shelf past Rodrigue for his first goal of the season at the 8:27 mark.

It was Pasichnuk’s first goal since April 17th, 2021, against the Texas Stars and his first road goal of his AHL career.

Rodrigue (3-5-2) finished stopping 23 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the victory as he snapped a three-game losing streak. Harvey (2-2-0) didn’t fare well in his first back-to-back start of the season. He made 26 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Hamblin 2) Griffith 3) Kemp

San Jose is now 15-17-2-3 at Mechanics Bank Arena.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the San Diego Gulls on Tuesday 1/18 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Harvey makes like wall in Barracuda 3-0 shutout win over the Roadrunners

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda goaltender Sam Harvey got a shutout win over the Tucson Roadrunners at SAP Center in San Jose on Fri Jan 14, 2022 ( file image from Chasing the Puck)

by Marko Ukalovicv

SAN JOSE —Quality over quantity.

Goalie Sam Harvey has produced shutouts in 66% of his starts. His outstanding performance led the San Jose Barracuda to a 3-0 shutout victory over the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday evening at SAP Center.

Harvey (2-1-0) was perfect stopping all 28 shots he faced, which included having to help kill off a double-minor penalty to Jake McGrew with 4:25 left in the game, to earn his second shutout of the season (and second of his AHL career) in just three starts.

The 23-year-old native of Alma, Quebec played aggressive, challenging the Roadrunner shooters and did not give up many second chance rebounds in his strongest game of the season.

“I think I needed that game after what happened last game,” Harvey said. “I got pulled after (giving up) five goals. For me, I was just trying to get back to my game, play well and the boys helped me (out) in front as well.”

San Jose has won two out its last three games and split the series. Tucson has lost four out of its last five games.

San Jose (13-16-1-0) drew first blood halfway through the first period. McGrew sent a rink wide pass that caromed off the boards over to Evan Weinger who rifled home a one-timer top shelf past Roadrunner’s goalie Josef Korenar for his sixth goal of the season at the 10:49 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead on the power play late in the opening frame. Nick Cicek’s slapshot from the point caromed off the backboards out in front where Jayden Halbgewachs chipped it out in front of the crease. Scott Reedy buried the point-blank shot into an empty net for his team leading 16th goal of the season at the 16:02 mark.

“A lot of it’s timing,” said Reedy on his consistent scoring. “Boxing out offensively. I kind of just know when the puck is coming in. That’s been happening a lot lately.”

Tucson (12-12-2-1) only managed four shots on goal in the first period as San Jose had the ice tilted in its favor in the opening 20 minutes.

The middle frame was scoreless as San Jose out shot Tucson eight to six in the second period.

San Jose clamped down defensively in the third period and did repeat what happened on Wednesday night when they blew a third period lead against Tucson.

“We really should be sitting right now with three wins in a row,” said Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer. “We got that one back, which is good, but (when) you lose a game, you learn a lesson hopefully.”

San Jose received some insurance when they scored their league leading eighth short-handed goal early in the third period. John Leonard poked the puck out the ‘Cuda zone off the faceoff. On the breakaway, his shot went through the five-hole of Korenar as it trickled into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season at the 3:59 mark.

The unassisted goal was Leonard’s second short-handed goal of the season.

Korenar (2-4-1) made 21 saves on 24 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Tucson was 0-for-5.

Cicek was hit in the face with a shot from the point late in the second period.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Harvey 2) Reedy 3) Weinger.

UP NEXT: San Jose take on the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday 1/15 at 7:00pm at Mechanics Bank Arena.

Roadrunners third period blitz take down Barracuda 4-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda drop the first of two games on Wed Jan 11, 2022 against the Tucson Roadrunners at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Jan 11, 2022 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — When you don’t play for a full 60 minutes, it usually comes back to bite you.

The Tucson Roadrunners scored three unanswered goals in the third period for a 4-3 comeback victory on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose have lost two of its past three games. Tucson snapped its three-game losing streak.

The game marked the return for former Barracuda goalie Josef Korenar who played in his first game at The Tank in a visiting uniform with the Roadrunners.

It also marked the first game back for Scott Reedy and Jayden Halbgewachs for San Jose. They had been up with the Sharks the past week. They were on a line with John Leonard put together by ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer.

San Jose (12-16-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period. Jake McGrew sent a puck on net that bounced out in front of the crease. Kyle Topping’s chance was stopped by Korenar but Zachary Gallant sneaked in and chipped the puck just underneath the crossbar for his first goal of the season at the 4:12 mark.

It was Gallant’s second career AHL and his first in 42 games when he scored his first back on March 6th, 2021, which also happens to be his birthday.

Tucson (12-11-2-1) answered back with a power play goal late in the opening frame. Matias Maccelli sent a pass over to Jen Jenik in the right slot. Jenik snapped home a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his seventh goal of the season at the 16:16 mark.

The Barracuda regained the lead with 26 seconds left in the first period. After a battle along the corner boards, Kyle Topping fed a pass back to the point Artemi Kniazev. The 20-year defenseman skated in, made a move at the left faceoff circle and fired a wrist shot to the far side for his career AHL goal.

“I saw the guy dropping (down) on me (I got) some open ice and took the shot,” said Kniazev. “Obviously it’s nice to score my first pro goal but it didn’t help to win the game, so it means nothing.

Things became chippy in the second period. There were two fights in a span of less than two minutes. After the second fight between Patrick Holway and Blake Speers, both teams begin to push and shove each other in the neutral zone near the teams’ benches long after the whistle had blown.

Tucson evened the game with seven minutes left in third period. Hudson Fasching made a nice a move around a ‘Cuda defender at the left point, skated in and centered a backhand pass over to Maccelli who buried a one-time from point-blank range for his ninth goal of the season.

The Roadrunners gained its first lead 68 seconds later. Maccelli sent a back pass to Cameron Hebig who beat Melnichuk to the short side for his sixth goal of the season at the 14:08 mark.

“We can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” Sommer said. “You’re not going to keep coming back from these all the time. We had played up to that point, pretty good. Again, we gave up too much trying to protect the lead.”

Tucson sealed the game with their second power play goal with 1:23 left in the third period. Hudsom Elyniuk fed a pass over to Speers who buried a wrist shot to the short side past Melnichuk for his second goal of the season.

San Jose made it a one-goal game with 22 seconds left when Reedy scored his team-leading 15th goal of the season. Reedy cleaned up the rebound off a shot from the point by Nick Cicek.

Korenar finished the game stopping 20 of the 23 shots he faced to come back to haunt his old team in earning the victory. Melnichuk (7-7-0) made 18 saves on 22 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Maccello 2) Kniazev 3) Jenik

San Jose is 16-12-3-2 all time against Tucson, including 9-6-1-1 on home ice.

Tucson has four of its last five games on the road.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-games series on Friday 1/14 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: A tribute to coach Sommer’s 800 career wins as head coach

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer and his 800th career win image achieved on Sat Jan 8, 2022 at SAP Center vs. the Henderson Silver Knights (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 San Jose Barracuda (12-15-1-0) coach Roy Sommer has reached a monumental achievement in winning his 800th game this past week on Sat Jan 8th against the visiting Henderson Silver Knight at SAP Center in San Jose. It’s a long time in the making but it had to be a proud moment for Sommer.

#2 Back on Dec 3, 2017 Sommer was one of seven coaches in pro hockey to total 700 wins combining his work in the AHL, NHL and ECHL to reach that total it was five years ago a lot has happened between now and then.

#3 The win Saturday Marko snapped a two game losing streak for the Barracuda in a come back win over the feisty Henderson Silver Knights (15-8-2-1) 6-3 a large number of goals for the Barracuda to score to overcome the Knights.

#4 A big night for Sasha Chemlevski who scored a hat trick for his sixth, seventh and eighth goals of the season. For Chemlevski he also had an assist and it was his first hat trick of his career.

#5 The Barracuda take on the host the Tucson Roadrunners on Wed night Jan 12th at SAP for a 7:00 pm puck drop at SAP Center. It will be the first of two meetings the second being Fri Jan 14th at SAP Center another 7:00 pm start.

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

Blichfeld’s heroics propel Barracuda over Silver Knights 6-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Joachim Blichfeld helped the San Jose Barracuda save face and his head coach reach a new milestone

Blichfeld scored the eventual game winning goal late in the third period as the ‘Cuda responded after giving up a three-goal lead in the third period in a 6-3 victory over the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday evening at SAP Center.

For San Jose head coach Roy Sommer, it was his 800th win of his AHL career. He already holds the record for most wins by a coach in the history of the league.

“I’m glad it’s over with,” Sommer said with relief after the game. “A lot of wins, a lot of years it took to get it. (Doing it) with the same organization, I guess it makes it that much sweeter.”

San Jose snapped its two-game losing streak. Henderson had its four-game winning streak end with the loss.

Cole Moberg found Blichfeld in the left slot and the Danish native sniped home a wrist shot past Silver Knights goalie Dylan Ferguson for his 11th goal of the season with 5:40 remaining in the third period to give San Jose a 4-3 lead.

“We talked before the faceoff and I said I was pulling back and he (Molberg) found me. I was really wide open, and I just went for it and luckily it went in,” Blichfeld said.

San Jose (12-15-1-0) drew first blood in the first period. Joachim Blichfeld put a backhander wide of the net. The puck caromed off the back boards back in front the crease where Sasha Chmelevski cashed in a point-blank shot past Ferguson for his sixth goal of the season at the 12:13 mark.

A scary moment happened earlier in the opening frame. Henderson forward Colt Conrad slammed headfirst into the end boards while chasing after a loose puck. Conrad hobbled off the ice with blood rushing from his leg into the Zamboni area before being attended to medically. He left the area on a stretcher and did not return to the game.

Henderson (15-8-2-1) outshot San Jose 8-7 in the first period but headed into the first intermission trailing by a goal as ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk played a perfect period.

San Jose doubled its lead on the power play early in the second period. John Leonard fired a shot on net that Krystof Hrabik wasn’t able to put in the rebound. Chmelevski crashed in while Ferguson was down on his back and slipped the puck into the net for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season at the 4:03 mark.

Silver Knights center Pavel Dorofeyev was unlucky when he rang a wrist shot off the cross bar late in the middle frame off a two-on-one short-handed opportunity.

The Barracuda scored its third unanswered goal a minute into the third period. Leonard led an odd man attack and from along the left boards found Jake McGrew in between the face off circles. McGrew wired a wrist shot past Ferguson to the short side for his fourth goal of the season at the 1:05 mark.

Henderson did not go down quietly as they scored two goals in a 54 second span. Jonas Rondbjerg wired a wrist shot from the left slot that beat Melnichuk for his seventh goal of the season at the 4:42 mark.

Then Adam Brooks centered a pass from behind the net out to an open Sven Bartschi who buried a one-timer past Melnichuk for his fifth goal of the season at the 5:36 mark.

The Silver Knights scored the equalizer when Ben Jones made a backhand centering pass from behind the net and Reid Duke slammed home a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 11:56 mark.

Overlooked at the end was Chmelevski completing his first career AHL hattrick when he scored an empty net goal, his eighth of the season, at the 17:45 mark after Henderson pulled Ferguson for an extra attacker.

“Obviously I think we’ll (Sommer and I) both remember it,” Chmelevski said. “It feels good. I’m most proud of how the team responded after they tied it up. That’s not easy to give up a three-goal lead like that. But we responded the right way. That’s what counts.”

Mark Alt completed the game’s scoring with his own empty netter, his second of the season, from deep inside the ‘Cuda zone with 1:35 remaining in the game to seal the victory.

Melnichuk finished the game stopping 28 of the 31 shots he faced to earn the victory. Ferguson made 26 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Henderson was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Chmelevski 2) Leonard 3) Blichfeld

The San Jose Sharks have informed Evander Kane that he has been placed on unconditional waivers with intent to terminate his contract for breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols. The Club will have no further comment on this matter.

The Barracuda are now 3-6-1-0 lifetime against the Golden Knights’ top affiliate, with all three wins coming in San Jose.

UP NEXT: San Jose continue their four-game homestand on Wednesday 1/12 as they host the Tucson Roadrunners at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Silver Knights take advantage of Barracuda giveaways in 5-1 victory

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Henderson Silver Knights handled the San Jose Barracuda at SAP in San Jose on Fri Jan 7, 2022 (San Jose Barracuda image)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Christmas holiday has been over for the past two weeks but the San Jose Barracuda continued to gift wrap goals to the opposition.

Turnovers and infertility on the power play doomed the ‘Cuda in a 5-1 loss to the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost their past two games. Henderson have won four games in a row. They have points in seven straight (6-0-1-0) and are 8-2-1-0 over their last 11 games.

San Jose (11-15-1-0) played shorthanded with only dressing 11 forwards and six defensemen as there have been changes to the roster with the San Jose Sharks bringing up seven players from the ‘Cuda.

Henderson (15-7-2-1) drew first blood late in the first period on the power play. Pavel Dorofeyev and Ben Jones combined to find Connor Cocoran along the left slot and Cocoran’s one-timer beat ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey for a tic-tac-toe of a goal, Cocoran’s second of the season at the 13:22 mark.

The Barracuda had 10 shots in the opening frame, but Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera was perfect through the first 20 minutes.

Henderson doubled its lead nine seconds into the second period. A turnover by the ‘Cuda inside their own zone led to Dorofeyev roofing a wrist shot from the right wing past Harvey for his 11th goal of the season.

San Jose cut the lead in half under three minutes later with a short-handed goal. John Leonard stripped the puck off of Peter DiLiberatore in the neutral zone. Leonard skated in and from the left slot snapped home a wrist shot top shelf past Patera for his fourth goal of the season at the 2:39 mark.

It was the seventh short-handed goal the Barracuda have scored this season.

The Silver Knights regained its two-goal lead thanks to another Barracuda turnover. Ben Jones pick-pocketed the puck away from Santeri Hatakka. Jones skated backwards toward the crease where his initial shot was stopped by Harvey. However, the native of Waterloo, Ontario poked home his own rebound for his 11th goal of the season at the 7:00 mark.

Henderson scored its second power play of the game halfway through the middle frame. Lucas Elvenes found Cocoran along the left wing and the Silver Knight defenseman scorched a one-timer past Harvey for his second goal of the game and third of the season at the 9:15 mark.

The Silver Knights scored its fourth goal of the middle frame when Dorofeyev sent a puck toward the net from the end line and Jake Leschyshyn redirected past Harvey for his seventh goal of the season 15:21 mark.

‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer replaced Harvey in goal with Alexei Melnichuk to start the third period. Harvey finished with 17 saves on 22 shots in 40 minutes of action.

San Jose had a five-on-three power play opportunity in the beginning of the third period but weren’t able to generate any quality scoring chances as Henderson was able to kill it off without much difficulty.

Patera finished the evening stopping 27 of the 28 he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk handled all six shots he had to deal with in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-6 on the power play. Henderson was 2-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dorofeyev 2) Corcoran 3) Patera

Sommer sits just one victory shy of 800 in his career. The Oakland, Calif., native has been behind the bench for 1,700 games in the AHL, going 799-694-48-160 (W-L-T-OTL/SOL) over that span. During the 2015-16 season, the Barracuda’s first in San Jose, Sommer surpassed Fred “Bun” Cook (636 wins) for the most wins in AHL history, notching a 4-2 victory on Feb. 10, 2016, over Ontario. Sommer collected his 700th win on Dec. 3, 2017, at Bakersfield (2-1 W).

Forward Evander Kane did not play as he still on the Covid-19 protocol.

The Sharks recalled goaltender Adin Hill, defensemen Ryan Merkley and Jaycob Megna, and forwards Nick Merkley, Adam Raska, Scott Reedy, Jayden Halbgewachs, and Jasper Weatherby. In a corresponding move, the Barracuda recalled forward Kyle Topping of the Orlando Solar Bears on Thursday.

Artemi Kniazev and Timur Ibragimov have been added to Covid-19 protocol.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson conclude their two-game series on Saturday 1/8 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda looking to make up for Sunday’s loss; Host Knights Friday at SAP

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda Scott Reedy is second in the AHL in scoring and contributed to his goal total with 14 and 23 points against the Stockton Heat Sun Jan 1, 2022 (file photo Santa Cruz Sentinel)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, that first period for the San Jose Barracuda (11-14-1-0) did the Barracuda in when the Stockton Heat (19-3-2-1) out shot San Jose 19-7 scoring twice and putting the Barracuda behind the eight ball in the first period which would prove to be San Jose’s demise in the three goal 4-1 loss at the SAP Center on Sunday night.

#2 The Heat’s Dustin Wolf is making a name for himself one of the top AHL goalies picking up his tenth consecutive win saving 33 shots. The win streak in the AHL best amongst goaltenders.

#3 Despite the Barracuda struggling against the Heat on Sunday the Barracuda’s Scott Reedy continues to lead in goal scoring with 14 goals and 23 points and is second in goals in the AHL.

#4 The win by the Heat is their seventh consecutive win at SAP Center the last time the Heat lost in San Jose was March 19, 2019, 5-4.

#5 The Barracuda next up face the Henderson Silver Knights on Fri Jan 7th a 7:00 pm PST puck drop in Henderson. The Knights seem to give the Barracuda fits each time they meet.

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

Heat shut down Barracuda in 4-1 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The visiting Stockton Heat picked up a three goal win over the San Jose Barracuda on Sun Jan 2, 2022 at the SAP Center in San Jose (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Stockton Heat enacted revenge on the San Jose Barracuda in a 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Jose has two out of its past three games. Stockton have won five out of its last six. The Barracuda handed the Heat their first regulation on home ice back on New Year’s Eve.

Adin Hill made his first career start for the Barracuda. Hill just came off the Covid-19 protocol, and the San Jose Sharks sent him down for a conditioning assignment.

Stockton (19-3-2-1) drew first blood early in the first period. A turnover by Artemi Kniazev was picked up by former ‘Cuda forward Alex Gallant who snapped home a wrist shot top shelf past Hill for his first goal of the season at the 2:04 mark.

The Heat doubled its lead on the power play halfway through the opening frame. Martin Pospisil sent a shot from the point initially saved by Hill but Luke Philp cleaned up the rebound for his eighth goal of the season.

The aftermath set off ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer who frantically went over by the Stockton bench and started yelling at them. The referees ejected both head coaches after the hostile exchange of words.

Stockton scored their third unanswered goal in the second period. Matthew Phillips sent a home run pass up the ice that sprung Jacob Pelletier on a breakaway. Pelletier skated in a snapped home a wrist shot top shelf past Hill for his team leading 11th goal of the season at the 7:52 mark.

Pelletier has a team high 28 points on the season.

San Jose (11-14-1-0) scored its only goal of the game halfway through the third period. Adam Raska skated in on Heat goalie Dustin Wolf, who made the initial save. Scott Reedy cashed in the rebound for his team leading 14th goal of the season at the 10:10 mark.

Stockton iced the game with an empty net goal with 1:05 remaining. Justin Kirkland’s fourth goal of the season snapped a 19-game goal less draught for the Heat left winger.

Wolf finished the game stopping 33 out of the 34 shots to earn his league best 15th victory of the season and 10th in a row. Hill made 33 saves on 36 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Stockton was 1-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Wolf 2) Reedy 3) Pelletier

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its five-game homestand on Friday 1/7 as they host the Henderson Silver Knights at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Barracuda cool off Heat in 4-0 shutout victory

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Stockton Heat left winger Alex Gallant (20) and San Jose Barracuda right winger Steenn Pasichnuk (80) go for the throw down at Stockton Arena in downtown Stockton on Fri Dec 31, 2021 (photo by the Stockton Heat)

by Marko Ukalovic

STOCKTON, Calif. — The San Jose Barracuda wiped the bad taste out of its mouth the last time they played in Stockton.

The ‘Cuda ended 2021 on a good note with a dominating 4-0 shutout victory over the Heat on Friday afternoon at Stockton Arena.

The last time San Jose played in Stockton back on December 7th, they suffered an embarrassing 10-1 loss to the Pacific Division leaders.

The Barracuda stole a page out of the Heat playbook by playing more physical, cashing in on counter attacks and getting outstanding goaltending.

San Jose have lost two games in a row after having their past two games postponed earlier this week due to Covid-19 protocols. Stockton had its four-game winning streak and seven game point streak snapped after having their two past games also postponed. It was their first home loss in regulation this season.

The first period was scoreless as both goalies, San Jose’s Sam Harvey and Stockton’s (and former ‘Cuda) Andrew Shortridge who both made their first starts of the season, made key saves to keep each team off the board.

Harvey stopped a Glen Gawdin breakaway 14 seconds into the game. Shortridge robbed an open net attempt by Nick Merkley with San Jose on a power play with 2:03 remaining in the opening period.

San Jose (11-13-1-0) drew first blood past the halfway point of the second period. Jayden Halbgewachs sent an outlet pass that sprung Merkley on a breakaway. Merkley lifted a backhander under the glove of Shortridge for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:27 mark.

Merkley’s goal was the first time San Jose have had a lead against Stockton this season.

The Barracuda doubled its lead after a taking advantage of a Heat turnover. Joachim Blichfeld intercepted Conner Mackey’s clearing attempt inside the Heat zone. Blichfeld skated in a snapped a wrist shot past Shortridge for his ninth goal of the season at the 15:20 mark.

Stockton (18-3-2-1) was left scratching their heads heading into the second intermission at they outshot San Jose 11-7 in the middle frame.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal on the penalty kill early in the third period. Seconds after killing the first penalty off of a five-on-three opportunity for Stockton, Merkley found Evan Weinger up the ice as he just left the penalty box. Weinger skated in on a breakaway and beat Shortridge with a wrist shot for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:36 mark.

It was the ‘Cuda’s sixth short-handed goal of the season.

Blichfeld scored its second goal of the game late in the period. Blichfeld gathered the puck in the neutral zone. As he skated into the Heat zone, he fired a shot from just inside the blueline that beat Shortridge top shelf to the short side for his 10th goal of the season at the 13:26 mark.

Harvey stopped all 30 shots he faced to earn his first career AHL shutout. Shortridge made 22 saves on 26 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. They are 0-for-9 against Stockton on the man advantage this season. Stockton was 0-for-4.

This was San Jose’s first shutout win since 1/8/20. They now have four shutout wins against Stockton. The ‘Cuda’s last shutout win against the Heat was on 1/14/17.

Mike Murphy, the Barracuda’s head equipment manager, was the backup goalie for San Jose as Alexei Melnichuk is still on the AHL Covid-19 protocol. Zachary Sawchenko is up with the Sharks as their netminder due to Adin Hill still on the NHL Covid-19 protocol.

Bilchfeld has 10 multi-goal games in his career.

Steenn Paschinuk was recalled by San Jose from Orlando. Paschinuk fought with Alex Gallant in the second period.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Harvey 2) Blichfeld 3) Merkley

UP NEX: San Jose play their first game of 2022 on Sunday 1/2 as they host the Stockton Heat at 1:00pm at SAP Center.

AHL postpones Barracuda-Heat game on Wednesday due to Covid-19 protocols

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat postponed for Wed Dec 29 at SAP Center the game will be rescheduled. The Barracuda have 12 players on their Covid 19 protocol list. (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The AHL announced earlier today that due to league COVID-19 protocols affecting the Barracuda, the San Jose Barracuda’s game on Wed., Dec. 29 against the Stockton Heat has been postponed.

The ‘Cuda now have 12 players on the protocol list as well as assistant coach Michael Chiasson. Here is the current list of players that are on the protocol.

D Mark Alt

F Sasha Chmelevski

D Nick Cicek

F Joe Garreffa

F Dillion Hamaliuk

D Patrick Holway

F Krystof Hrabik

F Evander Kane

G Alexei Melnichuk 

D Ryan Merkley

F Scott Reedy  

F Jasper Weatherby

An additional Barracuda staff member also remains in the AHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

An update to the status of Friday and Sunday’s games will be provided in the coming days.

A make-up date for Wednesday’s game has yet to be determined.

All San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda players and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and compliant with the NHL and AHL’s COVID-19 testing and guidance protocols.