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

Barracuda shoot down Eagles in 10-5 route

San Jose Barracuda picked up their second straight win over the Colorado Eagles on Wed Dec 15, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose (image by San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda played like a team possessed.

They used a five goal second period en route to a 10-5 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday night at SAP Center. The five-goal outburst was the most goals they have scored in a single period in a game this season as they set a new franchise mark scoring 10 goals for the first time in its history.

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

“It felt good,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer about his team’s offensive output. “It’s kind of fun back there. We’ve been on the other side of that just last week so it was good to be on the right side of it this time that’s for sure.”

Colorado (10-9-1-2) drew first blood just under two minutes into the first period. Rob Hamilton sent in a shot from the point where an unchecked Jayson Megna was all alone in the crease to cash in the rebound for his first goal of the season at the 1:49 mark.

San Jose (8-11-1-0) answered back late in the period. Nick Merkley made a back pass to Patrick Holway who fired a shot on net that deflected off Eagles goalie Justus Annunen high up into the air and Joachim Blichfeld poked the puck into the back of the net for eighth goal of the season at the 13:24 mark.

Colorado regained the lead on the power play with under a minute remaining in the opening frame. Callahan Burke sent a cross ice pass over to Shane Bowers who wired a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk from the left slot for his first goal of the season at the 19:12 mark.

The Barracuda evened the score early in the second period on a short-handed goal. Adam Raska skated inside the Eagles zone on a two-on-one odd man rush with Evander Kane. Raska deked a pass and snapped home a wrist shot top-shelf past Annunen for his second goal of the season at the 1:58 mark.

San Jose gained their first lead of the game on the power play halfway through the second period. John Leonard found Jeffery Viel in the left shot and Viel one-timed a wrist shot past Annunen to the far top corner for his first goal of the season at the 10:37 mark.

The ‘Cuda doubled its lead 45 seconds later when Jacob Megna sent a seeing eyed wrist shot from the left point that went underneath Annunen for his first goal of the season at the 11:22 mark. Sasha Chmelevski recorded the only assist on Megna’s goal.

San Jose extended to a three-goal lead thanks to their second short-handed goal of the game. Adam Raska collected his own short-handed attempt and found Cole Moberg open in the middle of the ice as Moberg’s one-timer beat Annunen for his first career AHL goal at the 12:56 mark.

The Eagles answered back on the same power play 56 second later. Dylan Sikura skated in from the left wing, his initial shot was saved by Melnichuk but he cleaned up his own rebound for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:51 mark.

The ‘Cuda scored its fifth goal of the middle frame on the man advantage. Blichfeld sent in a shot from the between the faceoff circles and a Krystof Hrabik, who was camped out in front of the crease, jammed home the rebound for his first career AHL goal at the 16:35 mark.

Ryan Merkley picked up the secondary assist on Hrabik’s goal, his third of the night, for his first three-point game in his career.

“I’m feeling a lot more comfortable. I’m having a much better year than I did last year. That takes time. I believe in myself. I think I’m showing it. (I’m) running a good power play right now and getting better defensively. It was nice to get a few points there,” Merkley said.

Colorado cut the lead to a two-goal game with an even strength goal early in the third period. Martin Kaut cleaned up a rebound off of a Burke shot from the left end line for his fourth goal of the season at the 3:56 mark.

The Barracuda regained its third three-goal lead when Kane sent a pass up the ice that sprung Nick Merkley on a breakaway. Merkley skated in and beat Annunen through the five-hole for his fourth goal of the season at the 6:23 mark.

Kane finished with a four-point night with one goal and three assists, his first multi-point game as a member of the Barracuda.

“I liked our response in the second (period) obviously,” said Kane. “We don’t want to be giving up 5, 6, 7 goals (a game). It was nice to get the offense going.”

Nick Merkley scored his second goal of the night just under three minutes later. Scott Reedy found a streaking Merkley who one-timed a wrist shot past Annunen for his fifth goal of the season at the 9:05 mark.

That ended the night for Annunen as he gave up eight goals on 32 shots. Hunter Miska came in and finished the final 10 minutes of the game.

Colorado scored its third power play of the game when Keifer Sherwood and Hamilton played a give and go with each other that resulted in Hamilton beating Melnichuk with a wrist shot for his third goal of the season at the 10:23 mark.

San Jose tied their franchise mark for most goals in a game when Nick Merkley found a wide-open Kane just to the left of the net for an easy tap in into an open net for his first career AHL goal at the 14:39 mark.

The ‘Cuda set the new franchise mark when Viel scored his second goal of the game with 21 seconds left in the contest.

Melnichuk stopped 24 of the 29 shots he faces in earning the victory. Miska gave up two goals on the two shots he faced in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-3 on the power play. Colorado was 3-for-7.

The San Jose Sharks placed forward Joel Kellman on unconditional waivers on Tuesday for the purpose of terminating his contract, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported.

Kellman has played in 10 games for AHL San Jose this year but has yet to get into action with the Sharks. At this point, it seems likely the 27-year-old Swede will head back to his home country where he began his professional career.

UP NEXT: San Jose begin a four-game road trip when they take on the Ontario Reign on Friday 12/17 at 7:00pm at Toyota Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda look for second straight win host Colorado Wednesday night

The San Jose Sharks have recalled the Barracuda’s Jayden Halbgewachs and will be joining the Sharks tonight against the Seattle Karken at SAP Center in San Jose (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (7-11-1-0) who were coming off a loss on Saturday turned things around on Sunday with a 5-2 three goal win over the Abbotsford Canucks (5-2)

‘#2 Barracuda goalie Alexi Melnichuk was key on Sunday against the visiting Canucks stopping 17 shots in their three goal win.

#3 Undrafted rookie Nick Cicek scored his first goal in 13 games on Sunday, Cicek leads the Barracuda defenseman in goals scored with 11 and got his second multi goal game of the season.

#4 Head coach Roy Sommer had to be excited about the Barracuda getting that first shorthanded goal of the season scored by Evan Wienger in the second period on a four on five play.

#5 Marko, talk a little about Jayden Halbgewachs who was recalled by the Sharks on Monday. He certainly earned his wing for the call up.

#6 The Barracuda conclude their three game homestand with the visiting Colorado Eagles on Wednesday night at SAP Center as the Barracuda look for their second straight win.

Join Marko Ukalovic for the SJ Barracuda podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Eagles earn first win with 5-4 OT victory over Barracuda

Game of inches this photo shows how the Colorado Eagles force San Jose Barracuda goaltender Alexi Melnichuk (1) to cover up at the exact time of a shot. The Eagles edged the Barracuda in a one goal win at SAP Center in San Jose on Fri Oct 29, 2021 (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—Kiefer Sherwood is doing his best in becoming the next ‘Cuda killer.

His game winning goal with 22 seconds left in overtime gave the Colorado Eagles a 5-4 over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at SAP Center.

Dylan Sikura, who was a ‘Cuda killer last year with Henderson, fed Sherwood with a pass into the Barracuda zone. Sherwood skated in and fired a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his second goal of the night.

San Jose had its two game winning streak snapped. Colorado won their first game of the season after being winless in their first five games.

San Jose (2-1-1-0) drew first blood under four minutes into the first period. Nick Merkley sent in a shot from the point that Evan Weinger was able to drop pass back to Noah Gregor. The ‘Cuda left winger skated in the middle and deposited a wrist shot past Eagles goalie Justus Annunen for his second goal of the season at the 3:52 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead less than three minutes later when Timur Ibragimov started a counter attack. Ibragimov fed a pass out to Scott Reedy who sent a rink wide pass over to Nicolas Meloche. The second year defenseman fired a wrist shot from the right point just inside the left post into the back of the net for his first goal of the season at the 6:27 mark.

Colorado (1-4-0-1) cut San Jose’s lead in half on the power play midway though the opening frame. Sikura sent a rink wide pass from the right faceoff circle over to Sherwood. The Eagles right winger buried a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the game at the 11:51 mark.

Sherwood has three goals in four games against San Jose. He leads the Eagles with six goals.

The Eagles scored the equalizer midway through the second period. After John Leonard was stopped on a breakaway attempt, Justin Barron led a counter attack for Colorado. Alex Beaucage found Gabriel Fountaine along the point and the Eagles left winger blasted a slap shot past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 8:40 mark.

The Barracuda had a tough time generating any quality scoring chances in the middle frame as they were busy having to kill minor penalties for the majority of the period as they made three trips to the sin bin. They were out shot 12-8 by Colorado.

“As soon as we’d get going five on five, we’d take a penalty,” Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer said.

San Jose regained the lead on the power play in the third period. Joachim Blichfeld sent a shot on goal from the left slot that deflected off the leg of Reedy, who was camped out in front of the crease. John Leonard cleaned up the rebound depositing the puck into an open net for his second goal of the season at the 7:16 mark.

Once again Colorado was able to even the score. On a delayed penalty call, Sikura circled around from behind the net and found a streaking Jordan Gross in the right slot and he buried a one-timer past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season at the 10:25 mark.

The Barracuda went up by a goal late in the period as they scored their second power play goal of the game. Nick Cicek sent a pass down to Sasha Chmelevski from the right point. Chmelevski found Nick Merkley open in the slot and Merkley snapped home a one-timer past Annunen for his second goal of the season at the 16:32 mark.

Colorado didn’t go away quietly as they scored eight seconds later to tie the game for a third time. Off the ensuing faceoff, Defenseman Ronald McKeown sent a slapshot from center ice that took a favorable bounce off the boards over to Mikhail Maltsev who sent in a quick wrist shot from the left faceoff circle top shelf into the left corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

“Right off the next shift. They throw it around…it was a bad play on our part. We should’ve just stayed in the net. He (Melnichuk) came out and it kinda took our mojo away but we had chances on the four on three (power play in overtime), but not that outcome I wanted,” Sommer said.

Annunen finished the night stopping 26 of 30 shots he faced to earn his first victory of the season. Melnichuk made 31 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 2-for-5 on the power play. Colorado went 1-for-6.

UP NEXT: San Jose travel up to Stockton to take on the Heat on Sunday 10/31 at 5:00pm.