San Jose Barracuda get a three goal win over the visiting Abbotsford Canucks at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Dec 12, 2021 (image by San Jose Barracuda)
by Marko Ukalovic
SAN JOSE —Special teams hadn’t been so special for the San Jose Barracuda lately.
The ‘Cuda scored three power play goals and one short-handed en route to a 5-2 victory over the Abbotsford Canucks on Sunday afternoon at SAP Center.
San Jose snapped its three-game losing streak in a much-needed win. Abbotsford had its three-game winning streak snapped.
“It’s been stressful back there to be honest with you,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer on his team ending their losing streak. “Because we had been giving up so many goals (in the past six games). Tonight, I thought we played really well. I thought we came out of our own end really good.”
The Barracuda (7-11-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period. Joel Kellman sent a pass back up to the right point over to Nick Cicek. The ‘Cuda defenseman blasted a shot past Canucks goalie Michael DiPierto for his second goal of the season at the 3:37 mark. Joachim Blichfeld picked up the secondary assist.
Abbotsford (8-8-2-1) responded with an even strength goal halfway through the opening frame. Phil Di Giuseppe found Vincent Arseneau all alone in front of the crease and his backhander beat ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his third goal of the season at the 10:05 mark.
All of Arseneau’s goals have been against San Jose.
San Jose answered back with its first power play goal of the game almost two minutes later. Ryan Merkley found Scott Reedy down low at the left faceoff circle. Reedy sent a knuckleball of a shot that trickled underneath DiPierto for his team leading 10th goal of the season at the 11:55 mark. fifth power play goal at 11:55 mark.
Reedy leads the AHL in power play goals with five on the season.
Abbotsford opened up the second period scoring on the power play that was continued from the first period. Cameron Schilling’s shot from the left point was tipped past Melnichuk by Justin Bailey for his fifth goal of the season 45 seconds into the period.
San Jose scored its second power play goal of the game six minutes later. Blichfeld fired a shot from the left slot and the rebound was cleaned up by Sasha Cmelevski for his third goal of the season at the 6:54 mark.
Chmelevski has scored two goals in three games.
The Barracuda turned the tied on the penalty kill 61 seconds later. Kellman sprung Evan Weinger with a pass in the neutral zone. Weinger skated in on net chipped in a shot past DiPierto while being tripped down to the ice set for his fourth goal of the season at the 7:55 mark.
It was the ‘Cuda’s first short-handed goal of the season.
“Special teams was a big part of the win. We did give up a penalty kill goal, but overall, special teams won us the game,” Sommer said.
That ended the night for DiPierto as Canucks head coach Trent Cull yanked his starting goalie and replaced him with Arturs Silovs. DiPierto finished with 14 saves on 18 shots.
San Jose iced the game with its third power play goal late in the third period. Evander Kane, who played in his second game with the Barracuda, sent a shot off Scott Reedy outside of the crease. Reedy made a touch pass over to Jayden Halbgewachs who one-timed a wrist shot past Silovs for his seventh goal of the season at the 15:05 mark.
Kane, with the secondary assist, picked up his first point as a member of the Barracuda.
Melnichuk stopped 17 of the 19 shots he faced to earn the victory. Silovs made six saves on seven shots in mop-up duty.
GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for-6 on the power play. Abbotsford was 1-for-5.
San Jose is now 5-1-1 when they score the first goal of the game.
The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kellman 2) Blichfeld 3) Cicek
UP NEXT: The Barracuda conclude its three-game homestand when they host the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday at 7:00pm at SAP Center.
