Colorado Eagles forward Ryan Wagner (#13) fights for room between the San Jose Barracuda’s Artemi Kniazev (#25) and Darren Brady (#92) during the Eagles 3-2 win at the Budweiser Events Center on Wednesday MAR 22, 2023. (Colorado Eagles)
by Marko Ukalovic
Charles Hudon’s second goal of the game proved to be the game winner as the Colorado Eagles edged the San Jose Barracuda in 3-2 victory on Wednesday evening at Budweiser Events Center.
San Jose has lost two games in a row and sit three points out of the seventh place and the final spot in the Pacific Division, currently held by the Tucscon Roadrunners. Colorado swept the two-game series as it sits comfortably in fourth place.
San Jose (26-31-1-4-57 points) drew first blood near the halfway mark of the opening frame with a power play goal. Tristen Robbins scored his first goal of the game and 13th goal of the season at the 8:26 mark. Artemi Kniazev and Brandon Coe recorded the helpers.
Colordo (34-20-5-3-76 points) evened it up early in the second period a power play goal from Hudon. Hudon’s first goal of the game and 23rd of the season at the 2:16 mark were assisted by Ben Meyers and David Farrance.
Robbins regained the lead for the ‘Cuda just over two minutes later with his second power play goal of the contest. His 14th of the season came at the 4:45 mark of the middle frame as Cow and Shakir Mukhamadullin assisted on the goal.
It was Mukhamadullin’s first point in a Barracuda uniform in just his second game with the team.
The Eagles scored the equalizer early in the third period with an even strength goal. Cedric Pare scored his ninth goal of the season at the 5:58 mark from Nate Clurman and Meyers who picked up his second helper of the game.
Hudon’s and the Eagles second power play goal just past the halfway mark of the final frame proved to be the game winner as Hudon scored his team leading 24th goal at the 11:19 mark. Mikhail Meltsev and Farrance were credited with assists on the play.
Eagles goalie Justus Annunen stopped 32 of the 34 shots to earn the victory. Aaron Dell, who made his second straight start, made 29 saves on 32 shots in the losing effort.
GAME NOTES: Bothe teams finished 2-for-6 on the power play.
The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Hudon 2) Robins 3) Pare.
UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host a two-game weekend series with the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday 3/25 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.
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