San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda come off win going into Colorado Tuesday

The San Jose Barracuda and Dallas Stars battled to a one goal Barracuda win in overtime at Tech CU Arena in San Jose on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 In what was a fun game for the fans at Tech CU Arena the Barracuda took on the Stars once again and beat them this time by a final of 5-4 in overtime.

#2 Scoring in this game did not take long to get to as on a turnover on a breakout San Jose pounced on a loose puck and Brandon Coe finished beautifully making it 1-0. On the goal Kyle Criscuolo was awarded an assist which was the 200th point of his AHL career.

#3 The play started with Texas trying to get out of their zone and the puck being kept in by San Jose. On the keep in left wing Jacob Peterson picked up the puck and dished it to Patrick Sieloff in the slot who sniped it home sending Tech CU Arena into chaos.

#4 San Jose’s next game will be on the road against the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.

#5 Marko, before we let you go the talk and chatter ran hot and heavy even after the San Jose Sharks loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday when Sharks goaltender James Reimer who did not play in Saturday’s game said that he would not skate with a pride sweater on during pre game warm ups. Reimer is the second noted NHL player refusing to wear the pride jersey the first being the Philadelphia Flyers Ivan Provorov who also refused to wear the pride sweater during pre game warm ups back on Jan 18th. That said how will Reimer’s refusal to wear the pride sweater go over as his contract runs out this year in his seeking work in the NHL?

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

Barracuda drop close game against Colorado Eagles 4-3

Photo Courtesy of San Jose Barracuda Twitter. Andrew Agozzino celebrates a goal against the Colorado Eagles.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

The Barracuda took on the Eagles on the road and lost a tight affair against Colorado by a final of 4-3 on Friday night.

The first period between the two teams was a tight checking period with no goals for most of the period.

At the 17:00 mark however the Barracuda got a powerplay opportunity thanks to high-sticking penalty against Nate Clurman.

Shorthanded though the Eagles scored a minute and 30 seconds into the powerplay from Spencer Smallman who got his first goal of the season. The goal was also unassisted.

That ended up being all the scoring in the first with the shots finishing in favor of San Jose at 13-11.

The second period started exactly opposite to the first period as just 1:09 in Andrew Agozzino scored for San Jose to get his eight goal of the season. Both William Eklund and Danil Guschin got assists on the goal.

The tie however did not last for long as just 28 seconds later Cedric Paré got his third goal of the season for Colorado with Smallman getting the lone assist on the goal.

After the quick outburst of goals to start the period both offenses quieted down with just a couple penalties for around the next 15 minutes.

15:20 into the second though Martin Kaut got his fourth goal of the season extending the lead for Colorado making it 3-1. Callahan Burke and Anton Blidh got assists on the goal.

Down by two with the minutes ticking away in the second the Barracuda pressed looking for a response.

For San Jose they would find that response with Tristen Robins getting his ninth goal of the season brining it back to just a one goal deficit. The goal itself ended up being unassisted.

That would be the final big play of the period as the score remained at 3-2 heading into the third.

The shots still favored San Jose at 23-22 going into the final period of play.

The third period did not get off to a great start for the Barracuda as far as penalties as they took two back to back to kick of the third.

San Jose’s penalty unit did come up big though and killed off both.

8:19 into the third period however Sampo Ranta scored his fourth goal of the season for the Eagles making it 4-2. Burke and David Farrance got assists on the goal.

Despite the goal Colorado also committed a couple errors also taking multiple penalties in the period.

On one of these penalties Guschin scored his seventh goal of the season to make it a one goal contest. Both Thomas Bordeleau and Eklund got assists on the play.

San Jose did push to tie it but it would not be enough as Colorado hung on to finish the game at 4-3.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Spencer Smallman 2nd: Martin Kaut 3rd: Callahan Burke.

The shots at the end of the game still favored the Barracuda at 31-30.

San Jose will look to rebound tomorrow playing the Eagles once again in Colorado at 6 p.m.

Johnson’s overtime winner gives Barracuda 2-1 win over Eagles

The San Jose Barracuda celebrate their win over the Colorado Eagles at Tech CU Arena on Saturday Nov 12, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Luke Johnson scored the game winning goal 40 seconds into overtime to give the San Jose Barracuda a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Saturday at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has won two games in a row. Colorado had its three-game winning streak snapped.

Colorado (6-5-1-0) drew first blood just past the halfway mark of the first period. Charles Hudon picked up a rolling puck in front of the crease and roofed a shot top shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell for his sixth goal of the season at the 11:04 mark. Jean-Luc Foudy and Alex Galchenyuk received assists.

San Jose (6-4-0-1) answered back almost three minutes later. Ozzy Wiseblatt fed a cross ice pass over to Japser Weatherby who buried a one-timer past Eagles’ goalie Justus Annunen for his first goal of the season at the 13:58 mark.

Both teams played a tight defensive battle for the final 40 minutes of regulation as neither goalie allowed a goal sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, CJ Suess led a three-on-two counterattack up the ice. Derrick Pouliot found Johnson in between the faceoff circles and Johnson blasted a shot past Annunen for the game winner, his third goal of the season.

Dell stopped 35 of the 36 shots he faced to earn the victory. Annunen made 21 saves on 23 shots in the losing cause.

GAME NOTES: San Jose 0-for-2 on the power play. Colorado went 0-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Johnson 2) Dell 3) Weatherby

UP NEXT: San Jose and Colorado conclude their two-games series on Sunday 11/13 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Eagles have their way with the Barracuda in 4-0 shutout win

San Jose Barracuda center Kyle Topping (71) and his teammates suffer another loss to the visiting Colorado Eagles at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Mar 28, 2022 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Colorado Eagles scored four goals in the first period en route to a commanding 4-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Monday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost four games in a row and remain in the cellar of the Pacific Division with 44 points. Colorado has won two games in a row.

Colorado (32-19-4-3) drew first blood past the halfway mark of the first period. Martin Kaut found Jordon Gross along the left wing. Gross lasered a wrist shot to the far side top shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his 10th goal of the season at the 11:46 mark.

The Eagles doubled its lead 34 seconds later. Kiefer Sherwood set up Stefan Matteau in the slot and Matteau beat Sawchenko with a one-timer for his third goal of the season.

Colorado made San Jose pay for taking a frustration penalty just nine seconds into their first power play to score their third unanswered goal of the opening frame. Rob Hamilton blasted a slap shot to the short side for his sixth goal of the season at the 14:57 mark.

The Eagles scored its second power play goal just under two minutes later. Dylan Sikura set up Mikhail Malstev right front of the crease. Maltsev beat Sawchenko with a shot between legs for his 16th goal of the season at the 16:55 mark.

Maltsev has three goals in two games against San Jose.

“We didn’t have a whole lotta jump (in our game),” said assistant head coach Michael Chiasson. “We didn’t defend from the inside out. We didn’t bring the puck out cleanly when we had to.”

San Jose (20-33-2-2) only had six shots on goal despite having a five-on-three power play toward the end of the first period.

Neither team was able to score in the middle frame as Colorado outshot San Jose 11-9.

Special teams play haunted San Jose by giving up two power play goals and not being able to score on six opportunities with the man advantage.

“The special teams put us behind the eight ball. We didn’t generate too much on the power play,” Chiasson said.

San Jose, having played with a depleted lineup, didn’t show any desperation in the third period with just five shots on goal.

Eagles goalie Hunter Miska had a relatively easy evening as he stopped all 20 shots to earn his first shutout victory of the season. Sawchenko made 31 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gross 2) Miska 3) Jayson Megna

San Jose traded defenseman Mark Alt to the Rochester Americans for forward Mason Jobst. Alt three goals and a total of eight points for the Barracuda this season.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its five-game homestand when they host the Ontario Reign on Wednesday at 10:00am.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda can’t hold onto lead with second period meltdown at SAP Center

The San Jose Barracuda Joachim Blichfeld (86) scored his 50th career AHL goal in the first period against the Colorado Eagles at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Mar 26, 2022 (photo from wikipedia.com)

On San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko if you light the lamp the San Jose Barracuda lit it up in the first period with goals by Joachim Blichfeld, Evan Weinger, Adam Raska, and Antonine Morand only Jayson Megna the long goal for the Colorado Eagles. Blichfeld’s goal was his 50th AHL career goal.

#2 That first period was what many can recall as one of their best starts of a game in a long while at the first period intermission the Cuda had a 4-1 lead.

#3 The Eagles wasted no time beginning the second period scoring at 36 seconds by Callahan Burke, Mikhail Maltsev was the key goal scorer for the Eagles in the second period scoring at 2:51 to make it 4-3 later with the score Barracuda 5 and Eagles 4 Maltsev tied it up scoring a full strength goal at 9:39 making it 5-5. The Eagles closed the period off to regain the lead with a goal by Jacob McDonald at 19:50 on the power play to take the lead at the intermission 6-5.

#4 Like we talked about just before the third period that the goal scoring settled down between both teams taking shots on net talk about the defense from both the Eagles and Barracuda in the third period. The Eagles added an empty net goal by Kiefer Sherwood to finish up with a 7-5 win at SAP Center tonight.

#5 Tough finish for the Barracuda who opened the game up with that 4-1 lead and finish losing by two goals 7-5 and couldn’t get on the board to come back and tie this one up in the third period. It just seemed like they petered out after that four goal first period.

#6 Little eye opener towards the end of the contest when the Barracuda’s Montana Onyebuchi and the Eagles Stefan Matteau tangled for fighting penalties.

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

Eagles overcome first period deficit in 7-5 comeback win over Barracuda

The Colorado Eagles made a second period comeback on the San Jose Barracuda at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Mar 26, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — It was a good old Wild Wild West shootout at the Shark Tank.

The Colorado Eagles overcame a three goal deficit with a five goal second period for a 7-5 comeback victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Jose have lost three games in a row. Colorado snapped its two-game losing streak.

San Jose (20-32-2-2) drew first blood early in the first period. Jayden Halbgewachs set up Joachim Blichfeld on a two-on-zero odd man rush. Blichfeld beat Eagles goalie Justus Annunen with a wrist shot for his team leading 21st goal of the season at the 4:29 mark.

It was Blichfeld’s 50th career AHL goal.

The Barracuda doubled its lead just over two minutes later. Jasper Weatherby sprung Evan Weinger on a breakaway in the neutral zone. Weinger skated around one defender before depositing the puck between the five-hole of Annunen for his 11th goal of the season at the 6:54 mark.

San Jose scored its third unanswered of the period a faceoff win in the Eagles zone. A shot from the point pinballed in front of the crease that leaked behind Annunen. Adam Raska cleaned up the rebound for his fourth goal of the season at the 14:06 mark.

Colorado (31-19-4-3) answered back when Jayson Megna was left all alone in the crease to tap home a centering pass from Kifer Sheerwood for his eighth goal of the season at the17:40 mark.

Newly acquired Antoine Morand made it 4-1 when he scored his first goal in a Barracuda uniform. Off of a turnover, Raska found Morand between the faceoff circles and he wired a wrist shot off the post and into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season at the 18:37 mark.

Morand was one of the players the San Jose Sharks traded for at the NHL trade deadline back on Monday. He came via the Tampa Bay Lightning for goalie Alexei Melnichuk.

Annunen was replaced by Hunter Miska to start the second period as he made six saves on just 10 ten shots.

Colorado cut the lead in half 36 seconds into the second period. Callahan Burke got ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock to go down before sliding the puck past him for a short-handed goal, his 11th of the season.

The Eagles special teams made it a one-goal game over two minute later on the power play. Jordan Gross’ shot from the point was redirected by Mikhail Malstev for his 14th goal of the season at the 2:51 mark.

Colorado scored the equalizer with its second short-handed goal in less than five minutes. Martin Kaut scored on a breakaway for an unassisted goal, his 13th of the season at the 4:15 mark.

San Jose responded on the same power play when Nick Cicek rifled home a wrist shot to the far corner top shelf 29 seconds later for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:54 mark.

The Eagles made it an even 5-5 when Malstev sent a shot off of Stalock that bounced up in the air and was accidentally knocked in by Kyle Topping who was attempting to clear the puck. It was Malstev’s second goal of the game and 15th of the season.

Colorado gained its first lead with their second power play goal of the period. Jacob MacDonald blasted a slap shot from the right faceoff circle that beat Stalock to the short side for his fourth goal of the season with 10 seconds left in a wilder middle frame.

The Eagles sealed the deal with 1:33 remaining in the third period when Sheerwood scored an empty net goal, his 28th on the season.

Miska stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced in 40 minutes to earn the victory. Stalock made 25 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Weatherby 2) Mastev 3) Raska

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its five-game homestand versus the Colorado Eagles on Monday 3/28 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Would it be a good idea to shut it down; Bakersfield-San Jose postponed due to Covid 19

SAP Center in San Jose sat empty on Mon Dec 27, 2021 as the San Jose Barracuda and Bakersfield Condors game has been postponed (file photo Fear of the Fin)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 With the number of professional sports events being shutdown to Covid 19 protocols would it make sense to follow what the NHL did and just shut it down for a week?

#2 The San Jose Barracuda have six players and one assistant coach with Monday’s game against the Bakersfield Condors postponed what ways will the postponements impact teams?

#3 The Barracuda have announced that all Barracuda and Sharks players are fully vaccinated and are compliant with the NHL and AHL protocols. Those that have been boosted have not been hospitalized and when there is breakthrough it’s been mild cases.

#4 The Barracuda lost their last game last week Wed Dec 22, 2021 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland to the Colorado Eagles 5-0. The Barracuda had their two game win streak end while the Eagles snapped four game loss streak.

#5 The Barracuda and the Stockton Heat are supposed to face off this Wednesday at SAP Center in San Jose the plan is for that game to go forward for a 5pm puck drop.

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

Eagles split series in 5-0 shutout win over Barracuda

A short handed San Jose Barracuda hockey club suffered a shutout loss to the Colorado Eagles at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland on Wed Dec 22, 2021 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Covid-19 was the sixth man for the Colorado Eagles.

They took advantage of a San Jose Barracuda lineup without its offensive stars in a 5-0 shutout victory on Wednesday evening at the Budweiser Events Center.

It was a rough going for ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer who was dealt a depleted lineup with Jasper Weatherby, Nick Cicek and Evander Kane out as they were placed on the Covid-19 protocols. Adam Raska was out with an upper body injury and so was Joachim Blichfeld.

San Jose had its two-game winning streak end. Colorado snapped its four-game losing streak.

The opening frame featured a scoreless period with each team getting two power play chances but neither team was able to cash in on both opportunities with the mad advantage. Both ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk and Eagles goalie Justus Annunen held down the fort for their respective teams in the first period.

The Eagles outshot the Barracuda 10-9 in the opening 20 minutes.

Colorado (10-11-2-2) drew first blood on the power play to start out the second period as their opportunity carried over from the first period. Rob Hamilton found Dylan Sikura open in the left slot and Sikura lasered in a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his eighth goal of the season at the :41 mark.

The Eagles doubled its lead under five minutes later. Sikura led an odd man rush into the ‘Cuda zone. His shot was saved by Melnichuk, but the rebound leaked out to a wide-open Jean-Luc Foudy who tapped home the puck into an open net for his third goal of the season at the 5:53 mark.

Colorado scored its third unanswered goal thanks to a ‘Cuda turnover inside its own zone. Andreas Englund intercepted a clearing attempt. He found Sampo Ranta in between the faceoff circles and wired a wrist shot top shelf for his third goal of the season at the 11:27 mark.

San Jose (10-12-1-0) were dominated in the middle frame by Colorado as they were outshot 16-6 by the Eagles.

Colorado put the game away with a five-on-three power play goal halfway through the third period. Martin Kaut scored his sixth goal of the season at the 9:45 mark.

Alex Beaucage completed the scoring under two minutes later when he scored his third goal of the season at the 11:22 mark.

Annunen finished the game stopping all 22 shots he faced to earn the shutout victory. Melnichuk made 31 saves on 36 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-6 on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-8.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Annunen 2) Sikura 3) Kaut

UP NEXT: The Barracuda return home to host the Bakersfield Condors on Monday 12/27 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Barracuda bury Eagles 4-1 have won two in a row

The San Jose Barracuda pick up their second straight win against the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Events Center on Tue Dec 21, 2021 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

LOVELAND, Colo. — The San Jose Barracuda’s power play is heating up.

They scored twice on the power play as it was the difference in their 4-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday evening at Budweiser Events Center.

San Jose have won two games in a row and three out of its last four games. They climbed out of the cellar in the Pacific Division with 21 points. Colorado have lost four games in row.

San Jose (10-12-1-0) drew first blood 33 seconds into the first period. Captain Jacob Megna sent in a shot from the left point and Jeffery Viel redirected the puck past Eagles goalie Justus Annunen to the short side for his third goal of the season. Adam Raska received the secondary assist.

Colorado (10-11-2-2) answered back with a power play goal halfway through the opening frame. Rob Hamilton made a quick pass over to Martin Kaut who skated in from the right point and wired a wrist shot through a screened ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his fifth goal of the season at the 10:54 mark.

The Barracuda regained the lead with a power play goal. Nick Cicek found Sasha Chmeleveski along the right boards. Chmeleveski’s initial shot on goal was saved by Annunen but he cashed in his own rebound for his fifth goal of the season at the 16:27 mark.

Jasper Weatherby, who was sent down to the ‘Cuda by the Sharks as the parent team has had both of their scheduled games this week canceled by the NHL due to ever growing Covid protocols, received the secondary assist as he made his AHL debut.

Despite doubling up on the ‘Cuda on the shot clock 12-6, Colorado found itself trailing by one at the first intermission.

San Jose extended their lead early in the second period with its second power play goal on a five-on-three opportunity. Nick Merkley sent in a shot from between the faceoff circles where Jayden Halbgewachs tipped it past the five-hole of Annunen for his eighth goal of the season at the 5:15 mark.

The ‘Cuda has five power plays goals in their past three games.

Halbgewachs, who made his NHL debut for the Sharks last Thursday, scored in his first game back with the ‘Cuda.

The Barracuda squandered an opportunity to tack on to their lead with five minutes left in the middle frame when Raska drew two penalties on the same shift on Jean-Luc Foudy and Dalton Smith. The Eagles penalty kill led by Annunen kept themselves in the game by not allowing a goal on the full two-minute five-on-three power play.

Viel scored his second goal of the game and fourth of the season with an empty netter from his own defensive zone with 1:06 left in the third period to seal the deal for the Barracuda.

Melnichuk (6-5-1) finished the game stopping 34 of the 35 shots to earn his six victory of the season and has won back-to-back games. Annunen made 22 saves on 25 in the losing effort. He is now 1-4 against ‘Cuda this season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-8 on the power play. Colorado was 1-for-4.

San Jose is 4-0-1 against Colorado this season and are 3-0 at the Budweiser Events Center.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Melnichuk 2) Halbgewachs 3) Kaut

UP NEXT: San Jose and Colorado concludes their two-games series on Wednesday 12/22 at 6:05pm at the Budweiser Events Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast: Cuda coming off 3 goal win face Eagles in Colorado tonight

The San Jose Barracuda face off against the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Arena tonight at 6:05 pm PST (file photo by the San Jose Barracuda file)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, the San Jose Barracuda (9-12-1-0) got the bad taste of losing to the Ontario Reign last Friday out of their mouths with a turnaround win against the San Diego Gulls (9-12-1-0) with a three goal win 4-1 Saturday night.

#2 The win on Saturday was third win for the Barracuda in five games, the Gulls are a tough customer especially when they are on home ice they are 7-1 when leading after 40 minutes.

#3 The Barracuda capitalized on some good offense in the third period which help lead to their victory over the Gulls, the win was San Jose’s fifth third period comeback this season.

#4 Evander Kane who scored the goal ahead and what later was to be the gamer and has an assist, and has eight points in his last four games. Has any NHL teams expressed any interest in Kane or do you see him having any chance at getting back with the Sharks?

#5 The Barracuda are back in Colorado tonight at 6:05 pm against the Eagles the last time the Barracuda and Eagles met the Barracuda picked up a huge five goal win 10-5. San Jose picked a few wins of late talk about their confidence going into Colorado tonight.

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