Barracuda win season finale 4-2 over the Roadrunners, sweep final series

The San Jose Barracuda enjoy their final game of the season with a 4-2 win over the Tucson Roadrunners at Tucson Convention Center Arena on Saturday APR 15, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Ending the season on a positive note is always good thing despite not accomplishing their main goal.

The San Jose Barracuda barely missed out on reaching the AHL Playoffs this season, but they went out with high hopes for next season with a 4-2 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners in their season finale on Saturday evening at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose ended the 2022-23 season with a record of 31-34-2-5 to finish the year with 69 points in eighth place in the Pacific Division under first year head coach John McCarthy. It was quite the improvement from last season where the ‘Cuda finished dead last in the AHL with just 46 points.

The Barracuda drew first blood 57 seconds into the second period when Danil Gushchin, who had a hot final two weeks of the season, scored an unassisted goal, his 22nd of the season. Gushchin finished the game with three points (1G, 2A).

Tucson (30-33-8-1-69 points) answered back less than six minutes later with an even strength goal. Michael Kesselring scored 15th goal of the season at the 6:13 mark. Milos Keleman recorded the only assist on the play.

San Jose regained the lead with 50 seconds left in the middle frame with an even strength goal. Kyle Criscuolo netted his 17th goal of the season. ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino and Gushchin set up Criscuolo’s goal.

The Roadrunners scored the equalizer early in the third perido when Michael Lomabardi scored his first goal in a Roadrunners uniform at the 4:28 mark. Micah Miller recorded his first point for Tuscon with the lone assist.

Nick Cicek scored the eventual game winning goal for San Jose with 40 seconds left in the final frame. Criscuolo and Guschin recorded assists on the game winner from Cicek.

CJ Suess completed the scoring with an empty net goal, his 10th of the season, with four seconds left in the game to seal the deal for San Jose.

‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann, who made his second consecutive start, finished the night stopping 22 of the 24 shots to earn back to back wins for the first time this season. Mann finished with a record of 8-7. Roadrunners goalie Tyler Parks was once again on the losing end as he made 32 saves on 35 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Tuscon was 0-for-6.

With the sweep of the series, San Jose won the season series over Tucson 5-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Cicek 3) Lombardi.

Sports Radio Service thanks the readership for checking out our coverage of the San Jose Barracuda this season and we look forward to providing coverage of the 2023-24 season that will include the AHL All-Star Weekend which will happen the weekend of February 4-5, 2024, in San Jose, California.

Gushchin’s two goals propel Barracuda to 4-3 win over Roadrunners

San Jose’s Strauss Mann makes a save against the Tucson Roadrunners in his team’s 4-3 win at the Tucson Convention Center Arena on Friday APR 14, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Danil Gushchin scored two goals, including the eventual game-winner as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Tucson Roadrunners 4-3 on Friday evening at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose snapped its two-game losing streak with one more game remaining in the regular season. Tucson has lost six in a row earning just three points in their last six games (0-3-2-1).

What was supposed to be a battle for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division between the two teams, turned out to be meaningless games for both teams at the opening faceoff with Tucson clinching seventh place last weekend when it picked up a point in an overtime loss against the Texas Stars. It held the tiebreaker over San Jose with more regulation wins (25-22).

Tucson (30-32-8-1-69 points) drew first blood in the first period when Nathan Smith was left all alone in front of the crease where he used a forehand to backhand move to beat ‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann with a shot from point blank range. Smith’s 12th goal of the season came at the 7:45 mark.

San Jose (30-34-2-5-67 points) evened the score on the power play late in the opening frame. Gushchin found ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino with a back door pass that Agozzino tapped home into an empty net for his team leading 26th goal of the season at the 14:51 mark. By doing so, Agozzino set a new franchise record for the most goals in a regular season as he eclipsed the mark set by Barclay Goodrow during the 2015-16 season.

The Barracuda gained its first lead just under four minutes later with an even strength goal. This time Agozzino returned the favor as he set up Gushchin who skated in from the left wing and beat Roadrunners goalie Tyler Parks with a low wrist shot to the short side for his 20th goal of the season at the 18:38 mark.

Both teams played a tight checking second period as only a total of 13 shots were produced with each goaltender keeping the puck of its own respective nets.

Tucson evened the game 80 seconds into the third period. A giveaway by the ‘Cuda led to Josh Doan beating Mann with a wrist shot from close range for his third goal of the season.

San Jose regained the lead at the 7:52 mark with an even strength goal. Moments after their fifth power play ended a shot from the right slot by CJ Suess caromed off the end boards and deflected into the back off the net off a Roadrunner player’s stick that was camped out in front of the crease. It was Suess’s ninth goal of the season.

Gushchin scored his second goal of the game with the ‘Cuda on the man advantage just past the halfway mark of the final frame. Agozzino centered a pass out the faceoff circles where Gushchin blasted a slapshot past Parks for his 21st goal of the season at the 10:27 mark to give San Jose a much needed insurance goal.

Cameron Hebig gave the Roadrunners hope of a comeback when he scored a shorthanded goal at the 15:03 mark. Hebig cleaned up a big rebound off of a shot by Vladislav Kolyachonok for his ninth goal of the season.

Tucson’s had a chance at the end with a power play opportunity and Parks pulled for an extra attacker but their bid for the equalizer was thwarted when Steven Kampfer was called for a tripping penalty with 28 seconds remaining.

Mann (7-7) finished the game stopping 34 of the 37 shots to earn the victory. Parks (8-8-2) made 25 saves on 29 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-6 on the power play. Tucson was 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Agozzino 3) Ethan Frisch.

UP NEXT: San Jose play their season finale against Tucson on Saturday 4/15 at 7:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Barracuda’s last home game of the season ends in shutout loss against Colorado 4-0

Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson. Kyle Criscuolo fights off a player on Colorado.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The final home game for the San Jose Barracuda did not go to plan against Colorado Eagles ending in a shutout as the Eagles swooped in with a 4-0 victory.

Aaron Dell got his second start in a row against Colorado while Justus Annunen started for the Eagles.

The first period saw the Eagles control most of the play with two penalties being called one against each team.

Colorado’s pressure did get rewarded as Mitchell Vande Sompel scored his fourth goal of the season making it a 1-0 game.

A little after the goal some punches were thrown as Will Riedell and Alex Beaucage dropped the gloves.

At the end of the first the shots favored Colorado at 14-6.

In the second period early on San Jose was given a power play opportunity as Alex Galchenyuk was called for delay of game. However the power play unit could not get setup and came up empty handed once again.

Less than five minutes after the power play a familiar face got another goal as Sompel scored his second of the game making it 2-0.

Throughout the period the Barracuda got multiple high quality chances but could just not convert as they left the middle frame empty handed.

At the end of the second the shots favored San Jose 25-20.

Heading into the third San Jose needed a big goal to get back into the game. Unfortunately for the Barracuda though Colorado locked it down in the final period.

With the grey and teal still pushing they pulled Dell to get back into it but Charles Hudon scored on the empty net making it 3-0.

San Jose pulled Dell one more time and Colorado got another goal this time Sampo Ranta finished getting his 11th of the season.

With the buzzer going off not only did the Eagles win but Annunen got a 33 save shutout his first of the season.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Justus Annunen 2nd: Mitchell Vande Sompel 3rd: Sam Malinski

“It’s unfortunate I don’t think it was a four nothing game the way we played we still played pretty well but you know that happens,” Andrew Agozzino said after the game.

San Jose heads into their final two games of the season just three points out of a playoff spot. In order to make it they’ll have to beat the Tucson Roadrunners twice in regulation.

So these final two games of the season for the Barracuda will be do or die.

The first game between the two teams will be on April 14th in Tucson at 7 p.m.

Overtime thriller ends in disappointment for Barracuda against the Eagles 4-3

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Anthony Vincent fights off a forechecker from Colorado.

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda played a very important game for there playoff hopes on home ice and came up just short losing in overtime 4-3.

For San Jose Aaron Dell got the start while Keith Kinkaid made the start for Colorado.

Goal scoring in this game did not take long to get going as just 1:15 into the game Wyatt Aamodt scored breaking the ice early.

At the 8:32 mark Spencer Smallman was called for high sticking and San Jose took advantage as Derrick Pouliot scored tying the game back up at one.

Colorado did respond before the period ended as Mitchell Vande Sompel scored giving them the lead right back.

At the end of the first the shots favored Colorado at 14-11.

In the second period on a misplay by Kinkiad with the puck behind the net Nathan Burke capitalized as he took the puck and slammed it into open net. It was his third goal of the season with Will Riedell and Anthony Vincent getting the assists.

Continuing their momentum Shakir Mukhamadullin scored the first goal of his AHL career by ripping one from the top of the left circle.

The second period saw the shots still favoring Colorado at 26-18.

Looking to tie the game the Eagles came out swinging and connected tying the game at three with Sam Malinski.

That goal ended up being the only one of the period meaning overtime was next.

Overtime did not take long to finish as under a minute in Mikhail Maltsev scored giving Colorado the victory 4-3.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Mikhail Maltsev 2nd: Shakir Mukhamadullin 3rd: Mitchell Vande Sompel

For the Barracuda they’ll get right back to it tomorrow at home against the Eagles this time at 6 p.m. which will be their final home game of the season.

Wiesblatt’s first career hat trick powers Barracuda to 6-3 win over Gulls

San Jose Barracuda forward Ozzy Wiesblatt was the number one star in his team’s 6-3 win over the San Diego Gull at the Pechanga Arena on Wednesday APR 5, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO — It was a night to remember for Ozzy Wiesblatt.

The rookie forward scored his first ever professional hat trick as the San Jose Barracuda shot down the San Diego Gulls 6-3 on Wednesday evening at the Pechanga Arena.

San Jose gained a point on the Tucson Roadrunners, who lost to the Henderson Silver Knights in a 5-4 shootout, and trail four points behind for the seventh a final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with four games remaining. San Diego has lost eight of its last nine games as it sits in the anchor of the division.

San Diego (20-45-2-1-43 points) drew first blood early in the first period. Chase Priskie scored his sixth goal in a Gulls uniform when he beat ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell with a slapshot from the point at the 4:42 mark. Dylan Sikura and Benoit-Olivier Groulx set up Priskie’s 10th overall goal of the season.

San Jose 29-33-1-5-64 points) evened the score late in the opening frame. Shakir Mukhamadullin’s shot from the point was cleaned up by Artemi Kniazev with a backhander past Gulls goalie Gage Alexander for his fifth goal of the season at the 14:16 mark.

The Barracuda took control of the game in the second period scoring even strength goals. Adam Raska set up Danil Gushchin in the slot and the rookie forward spun around and wired a wrist shot past Alexander for his 18th goal of the season at the 5:31 mark.

Gushchin has been a busy guy as he’s been up and down between the Sharks and the Barracuda and has scored in back-to-back games for ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy.

Wiesblatt scored his first goal of the contest at the 12:27 mark. Nikolai Knyzhov set up Wiesblatt with a back pass at the left point and the former 2020 first round pick of the Sharks sniped home a wrist shot for his fourth goal of the season.

San Jose scored its fourth unanswered goal 59 seconds later with Gushchin’s second goal of the game. The native of Yakaterinberg, Russia skated along from the right boards back up to the point before sending a seeing-eye wrist shot past a screened Alexander for his 19th goal of the season. Mukhamadullin picked up his third assist on the play, recording his first ever multi-point game.

San Diego stopped the bleeding 33 seconds as Groulx lasered in a wrist shot from a tough angle for his 17th goal of the season at the 13:59 mark.

Wiesblatt recorded his second goal of the game late in the middle frame on a penalty shot. Ozzy skated in from left wing, paused before burying a wrist shot past Alexander for his fifth goal of the season at the 17:41 mark. It was the third penalty shot goal in franchise history for San Jose.

Priskie scored his second goal of the game with a power play tally 59 seconds into the third period. Sikura set up Priskie who beat Dell with a one-timer from the left slot for his 11th goal of the season.

Wiesblatt completed his hat trick at the 7:23 mark when he cleaned up a wraparound attempt from Kyle Criscuolo right in front of the crease for his sixth goal of the season.

Dell finished the game stopping 15 of the 18 shots to earn his the victory. Alexander made 35 saves on 41 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. San Diego went 1-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Gamer were: 1) Wiesblatt 2) Sikura 3) Gushchin.

UP NEXT: San Jose return home for their final two home games of the season as they host the Colorado Eagles on Friday 4/7 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Firebirds take down Barracuda in 4-3 shootout win, sweep season series

Coachella Valley’s Max McCormick and Kole Lind celebrate a goal during their team’s 4-3 win over the San Jose Barracuda at Acrisure Arena on Monday APR 3, 2023. (Coachella Valley Firebirds)

by Marko Ukalovic

Cameron Hughes had the game winning goal in the fourth round of the shootout as the Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the San Jose Barracuda 4-3 on Monday evening at Acrisure Arena.

Coachella Valley won all eight games against San Jose this season as the Barracuda went 0-5-1-2 against the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate in ’22-’23. San Jose collected a point despite the loss and now trail the Tuscon Roadrunners by five points with five games remaining in the regular season. The Firebirds regained sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division with a one-point lead of the Calgary Wranglers.

It was San Jose’s best effort against Coachella Valley this season as the game went back and forth during the 60 minutes of regulation.

The opening 20 minutes featured a scoreless period. The Firebirds had two power play opportunities but weren’t able to capitalize on either chance as the Barracuda’s penalty kill kept Coachella Valley off the scoreboard. San Jose was only to generate four shots in the period.

Coachella Valley (46-14-4-2-98 points) drew first blood on the power play early in the second period. Max McCormick set up Kole Lind in the slot and Lind buried a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell for his team leading 29th goal of the season at the 3:45 mark.

San Jose (28-33-1-5-62 points) responded with an even strength just under three minutes later. Nathan Burke led a two-on-one odd man rush with Kyle Criscuolo inside the Firebirds zone. Criscuolo, who had scored his first NHL goal with the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night, made a move to the inside before firing a wrist shot past Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger for his 16th goal of the season at the 6:54 mark.

The Barracuda gained its first lead 35 seconds later. Adam Raska fed a pass over to Danil Gushchin, who also scored his first NHL goal with the Sharks two days ago against the Arizona Coyotes, made a similar move to Criscuolo’s going inside the middle as he beat Driedger with a wrist shot for his 17th goal of the season.

The Firebirds took advantage of their sixth power play in the game as they scored the equalizer early in the third period. Ryker Evans set up Hughes 18th goal of the season at the 2:45 mark.

Carsen Twarynski gave the Firebirds a 3-2 lead when he was able to poke the past Dell after he tried wrapping around the puck from behind the net for his 17th goal of the season at the 14:36 mark.

Andrew Agozzino scored the equalizer while making history with 19 second remaining in the period. With Dell pulled for an extra attacker a shot from the point by Shakir Mukhamadullin caromed off the boards and the ‘Cuda captain batted the puck out of the air with a backhander for his team leading 25th goal of the season. It matched the Barracuda’s franchise record for most goals in a season first set by Barclay Goodrow in 2015-16 season.

Dell made sure the game went to the shootout when he stopped McCormick with a breakaway attempt with under two minutes left in the overtime period. Then Dell made a save on a point blank shot by Lind with under a minute remaining. The best overtime chance for San Jose came when Agozzino’s wrist shot hit the post.

Driedger (7-3-0) finished the game stopping 19 of the 22 shots (and all three of the four shootout attempts) he faced to earn the victory. Dell (14-17-2) made 37 saves on 40 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NTOES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Coachella Valley went 2-for-7.

Coachella Valley has won eight straight games at home.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Hughes 2) Twarynski 3) Tye Kartye.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its four-game road trip against the San Diego Gulls on Wednesday 4/5 at 7:00pm at Pechanga Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda battle one of AHL’s toughest Firebirds tonight in Coachella

The San Jose Barracuda’s Will Riedell (90) reaches in the net with his stick against the Texas Stars at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Sat Apr 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

On San Jose Barracuda podcast:

#1 The Texas Stars (36-18-9) scored four special team goals in the first period as they cruised to a 7-2 route of the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

#2 San Jose’s playoff hopes suffered a big blow as they sit six points behind the Tucson Roadrunners for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with just six games left in the regular season.

#3 San Jose (28-33-1-4-61 points) scored a power play goal of their own late in the opening frame. Martin Kaut set up Tristen Robins who beat Stars goalie Remi Poirier top shelf with a wrist shot for his 17th goal of the season at the 16:29 mark. Robins has scored in a back-to-back games for the ‘Cuda.

#4 Adam Raska closed out the scoring in the third period with his fourth goal of the season at the 8:41 mark. Will Riedell and Anthony Vincent, who picked up his first point in a ‘Cuda uniform, recorded assists on Raska’s goal.

#5 San Jose continues their four-game road trip when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds (45-14-4) on Monday 4/3 at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.

Join Marko Ukalovic for San Jose Barracuda podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stars special teams too much for Barracuda to handle in 7-2 win, split series

The Texas Stars celebrate one of their seven goals against the San Jose Barracuda at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Saturday APR 1, 2023. (Texas Stars)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Texas Stars scored four special team goals in the first period as they cruised to a 7-2 route of the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose’s playoff hopes suffered a big blow as they sit six points behind the Tucson Roadrunners for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with just six games left in the regular season. Texas reclaimed first place in the Central Division as they jumped ahead of the Milwaukee Admirals by one point.

Texas (36-18-9-3-84 points) took advantage of San Jose’s three trips to the sin bin in the opening 20 minutes. Marian Studenic scored his 18th goal of the season with the Stars first power play goal of the game at the 3:16 mark.

Mavrik Bourque scored the Stars second power play goal, his 14th goal of the season at the 10:54 mark, as Will Butcher picked up his second assist of the period. Antonio Stranges was credited with the secondary assist.

Stranges scored Texas’ third consecutive goal on the man advantage just under two minutes later, his fourth goal of the season at the 12:14 mark, as Curtis McKenize picked up the only assist on the play.

San Jose (28-33-1-4-61 points) scored a power play goal of their own late in the opening frame. Martin Kaut set up Tristen Robins who beat Stars goalie Remi Poirier top shelf with a wrist shot for his 17th goal of the season at the 16:29 mark. Robins has scored in a back-to-back games for the ‘Cuda.

Just when things couldn’t get any worse for San Jose, they did as the Stars scored a short-handed goal at the 18:41 mark. Thomas Harley centered a pass right to the crease and Riley Tufte buried a point-blank shot past ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell for his 16th goal of the season.

Texas kept their foot on their gas pedal in the middle frame. Harley set up Rhett Gardner who scored his 10th goal of the season at the 9:01 mark. That spelled the end for Dell as ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy replaced him with Strauss Mann. Dell (14-16-2) gave up five goals on 23 shots in 29 minutes of action.

Ryan Shea scored just over two minutes later with his seventh goal of the season at the 11:03 mark. Studenic and Tanner Kero recorded assists on the goal.

Harley scored the Stars fourth unanswered goal to complete his three-point evening with his 10th goal of the season at the 12:06 mark.

Adam Raska closed out the scoring in the third period with his fourth goal of the season at the 8:41 mark. Will Riedell and Anthony Vincent, who picked up his first point in a ‘Cuda uniform, recorded assists on Raska’s goal.

Poirier (7-4-2) stopped 26 of the 28 shots to earn the victory. Dell made nine saves on 11 shots in mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Texas went 3-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Harley 2) Studenic 3) Stranges.

San Jose split the season series with Texas going 2-2.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues their four-game road trip when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Monday 4/3 at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.

Pouliot’s OT heroics lifts Barracuda over Stars 2-1, keep playoff hopes alive

San Jose Barracuda forward Nathan Burke gets inside position inside the Texas Stars during the ‘Cuda 2-1 overtime victory at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda are doing everything possible to keep their slim playoff hopes live.

Derrick Pouliot scored the game winner 48 seconds into overtime to give the ‘Cuda a 2-1 victory over the Texas Stars on Friday evening at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

Daniel Guschin led a three-on-two rush up the ice with Andrew Agozzino. The ‘Cuda captain centered a pass to a trailing Pouliot who skated in and wired a wrist shot past Stars goalie Scott Wedgewood for his third goal of the season.

San Jose now trails the Tucson Roadrunners by six points for the seventh place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with seven game remaining. Texas, with the loss, fell out of first place in the Central Division as the trail the Milwaukee Admirals by one point with 82 points.

A scary moment happened at the 2:41 mark of the first period when Matej Blumel was checked into the boards by Ozzy Wiesblatt that resulted in Blumel being seriously injured and carried off on a stretcher. He did not return to the game.

San Jose (28-32-1-4-61 points) dominated the shot clock in the opening 20 minutes as the outshot Texas 10-4. However, they were not able to get a puck past Wedgewood.

Texas (35-18-9-3-82 points) escaped the period without giving up a goal despite taking two penalties late in the period.

The Barracuda drew first blood late in the second period with a short-handed goal. Kyle Criscuoolo sent a pass up the ice to Tristen Robins who got between two defenders inside the Stars zone before firing a wrist shot past Wedgewood for his 16th goal of the season at the 15:17 mark.

The Stars scored the equalizer just past the halfway mark of the third period. Former Barracuda forward Scott Reedy won a battle for the puck along the board and centered out front where Ryan Shea beat ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell with a wrist shot through traffic for his sixth goal of the season at the 10:33 mark.

Dell finished the night stopping 22 of the 23 shots he faced to earn the victory. Wedgewood made 24 saves on 26 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both teams finished 0-for-3 on the power play.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Pouliot 2) Shea 3) Wedgewood

UP NEXT: San Jose and Texas conclude their two-games series on Saturday 4/1 at 5:00pm at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda drop third game out of last four to Condors

The San Jose Barracuda forward Ozzie Wiesblatt (89) and forward Jeff Viel (63) with the Bakersfield Condors forward Yanni Kaldis (8) are on the chase at Tech CU in San Jose on Sun Mar 26, 2023 (photo by San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The game did start slow between the San Jose Barracuda (27-33-1-4) but the visiting Bakersfield Condors (31-28-1-1) got things going and when it was over the Condors got a three goal win over the Barracuda 4-1.

#2 The first period the Barracuda scored a back handed goal Thomas Bordeleau (22) on a pass from Jeffery Viel at 16:41 for a 1-0 lead. The Condors came back with a goal from Greg McGregg (6) to tie up the game 1-1.

#3 The Condors nor Cuda scored in the second period. In the third period the Condors scored on a Dylan Holloway (2) on power play goal to go up 2-1. The Condors picked up two more goals from McGregg (7) and Justin Bailey (18) for a 4-1 final.

#4 San Jose goaltender Aaron Dell faced 22 shots, saved 18 and allowed four was this a game where Dell just couldn’t stop Bakersfield’s shots or was it a matter of not getting help from his defensemen up front?

#5 The Barracuda will play a crucial four game trip that opens up on Fri 31st in Texas against the Texas Stars a 5pm PST start.

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