Gulls second period blitz take down Barracuda 5-1

It wasn’t even close as the San Diego Gulls get a four goal game win over the San Jose Barracuda at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Feb 16, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Never underestimate the fourth line.

All three forwards on the San Diego Gulls fourth line scored a goal en route to a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost a season worst seven games. San Diego has won three out of its last four games and snapped a four-game losing streak on the road.

San Diego (16-20-2-0) drew first blood early in the first period. Brayden Tracey sent a rink wide pass over to Brent Gates Jr and he blistered a one-timer past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his fifth goal of the season at the 3:17 mark.

Gates Jr. has three goals in his past two games versus San Jose.

San Jose (14-26-1-0) answered back on the power play late in the opening 20 minutes. Joachim Blichfeld received the puck just outside the right faceoff circle from Artemi Kniazev. Blichfeld fired a wrist shot past a screened Gulls goalie Lukas Dostal for his 15th goal of the season at the 14:37 mark.

Blichfeld snapped a six-game goal less draught.

San Diego regained the lead in the first five minutes of the second period. A turnover inside the ‘Cuda zone led to Vinni Letteri centered a pass to Lucas Elvenes all alone in front of the crease. Elvenes, who was shaken up earlier on the play, cashed in on his own rebound for his fifth goal of the season, and third in a Gulls uniform, at the 4:43 mark.

The Gulls went up 3-1 at the halfway mark of the middle frame. Hunter Drew gathered the puck from behind the net and his shot attempt went off the skate of ‘Cuda defenseman Cole Moberg into the back of the net for Drew’s eighth goal of the season at the 10:16 mark.

San Diego scored its third unanswered goal in the period moments after their power play opportunity ended. Nikolas Brouillard’s shot from the left point was tipped in by Greg Printz for his sixth goal of the season at the 13:29 mark.

San Jose had a five-on-three power play opportunity late in the period when Brendan Guhle went off for boarding at the 17:45 mark. However, San Diego was able to kill off both penalties and almost scored a short-handed goal if it weren’t for a timely save by Melnichuk on Letteri’s breakaway attempt after just exiting the sinbin.

The Gulls scored early in the third period to ice the game. Elvenes sent a shot from the point that deflected in past Melnichuk for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season at the 3:30 mark.

Dostal finished the game stopping 24 of the 25 shots he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk made 18 saves on 23 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. San Diego was 0-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Elvenes 2) Dostal 3) Blichfeld

San Jose finished 1-7 against San Diego in the season series.

San Diego is 7-11-1-0 on the road this season.

‘Cuda forward Evan Weinger had his career best five-game point streak snapped as he was suffered an upper body injury in the third period.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels out to the Lone Star state to begin a two-games series with the Texas Stars on Saturday 2/19 at 5:00pm at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Lots of shots at Gulls but Barracuda come up short; Can they capitalize Wed nite at SAP?

Jacob Halbgewachs seen here at one of the San Jose Barracuda morning skates has scored 12 goals and have four goals over his last four games ( file photo from the Athletic)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, tough game on Friday night, the San Jose Barracuda put 45 shots on net against the San Diego Gulls including 22 shots in the third period but couldn’t come up with the win losing by two goals 4-2 at Pachanga Arena in San Diego.

#2 San Jose’s Jayden Halbgewachs is finding his way around the net he scored his 12th goal of the season on Friday and his fourth in over four games.

#3 The Barracuda’s Evan Weinger scored his eighth goal of the season and has a five game point streak going.

#4 The Gulls Brent Gates Jr scored his third and fourth goals getting his first multi career goal.

#5 The action returns to the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Feb 16th when the Gulls pay the Barracuda a visit will home ice help the Cuda in this match up?

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

Barracuda suffer sixth straight defeat in 4-2 loss to Gulls

San Jose Barracuda can’t keep up with the San Diego Gulls on Fri Feb 11, 2022 at Pachanga Arena in San Diego (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Gulls did just enough to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 4-2 on Friday evening at the Pechanga Arena San Diego.

San Jose has lost a season worst six games in a row. San Diego has won two out of its past three games.

The opening 20 minutes was deadlocked at zero as teams looked like they had a week off as they used the first period to shake off of some of the rust in their first game back since the all-star break.

Both teams found their legs in a wild second period that featured a combined five goals.

San Diego (15-20-2-0) drew first blood early in the middle frame. Hunter Drew scored his seventh goal of the season at the 2:38 mark. Jack Badini and Jacob Larsson help set up the game’s opening goal.

San Jose (14-25-1-0) answered back on the next shift just 21 seconds later. Adam Raska set up Evan Weinger who scored his eighth goal of the season at the 2:59 mark.

The game went back and forth as all five goals were scored before the midway mark of the period.

The Gulls regained the lead when Brent Gates Jr. scored his third goal of the season at the 4:27 mark. Vinni Lettieri and Brendan Guhle were credited with helpers.

The Barracuda responded under four minutes later when Jayden Halbgewachs scored his 12th goal of the season at the 8:02 mark. Jasper Weatherby received the only assist on Halbgewachs’ goal.

Halbgewachs has scored a goal in four straight contests.

San Diego answered back immediately as Gates Jr. scored his second goal of the game just 17 seconds later at the 8:19 mark. Kodie Curran and former ‘Cuda defenseman Trevor Carrick set up Gates Jr. fourth goal of the season.

San Jose tried for the equalizer late in the third period when they pulled goalie Alexei Melnichuk for an extra attacker, but San Diego held down the fort as time expired.

Greg Printz iced the game for San Diego with an empty net goal, his fifth of the season, with 43 seconds remaining in the game.

Gulls’ goalie Lukas Dostal had an impressive evening in between the pipes as he stopped 43 of the 45 shots he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk made 18 saves on 21 shots in suffering the loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. San Diego was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gates Jr. 2) Dostal 3) Drew

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host San Diego on Wednesday 2/16 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda face off against Gulls in San Diego on Friday night at Pechanga

The San Jose Barracuda’s Jacob McGrew skates against the Ontario Reign’s defenceman Markus Phillips (26). McGrew and the Barracuda will match up against the San Diego Gulls on Fri Feb 11, 2022 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 San Jose Barracuda (14-24-1-0) in Las Vegas on Thursday night grabbed a 2-0 lead against the Henderson Silver Knights (20-12-2-1) but the Silver Knights would answer right back with six straight goals for a 6-3 win.

#2 The loss on Thursday gives the Barracuda five straight loses a streak they hope to snap.

#3 The Barracuda Jayden Halbgewachs scored in the early part of the game and now has 11 goals for the season and three goals over the last three games.

#4 Marko, the Barracuda’s Adam Raska didn’t waste anytime throwing in his third goal of the season after playing in his second game with the Barracuda after coming from the Sharks.

#5 Barracuda Las Vegas native Gage Quinney picked up his second and third goals of the season and finished with four points.

#6 The Barracuda match up against the San Diego Gulls (14-20-2-0) on Fri Feb 11th a 7:00pm face off at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The Gulls always gives the Barracuda fits how do you see this match up?

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

Gulls take down Barracuda 3-2 with late goal in the third period

The San Diego Gulls Alex Limoges (12) scored the game winning goal against the San Jose Barracuda on Tue Jan 18, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose (file photo by San Diego Gulls)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Squandered opportunities will come back to haunt you.

Alex Limoges scored the eventual game winning goal with 3:39 left in regulation to give the San Diego Gulls a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Tuesday evening at SAP Center.

Greg Printz threaded a pass that got behind San Jose’s defense. Limoges waited for ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey to bite before sliding the puck around him for his sixth goal of the season at the 16:21 mark of the third period.

Earlier in the final frame, San Jose had its second five-on-three opportunity with 7:15 remaining but they failed to cash in as San Diego was able to kill off both penalties.

“I don’t think we had a lot of good looks on it,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “I think we were too much around the perimeter trying to set up plays, instead of just bombing the puck (on net).”

San Jose has lost three out its last four games. San Diego have won two games in a row.

Each team were without one of their top forwards. San Jose did not have the services of Sasha Chmelevski (17 points) and Jacob Perreault (18 points) was not in the lineup for San Diego.

San Jose (13-18-1-0) drew first blood near the halfway point of the first period. Evan Weinger centered a pass in front of the crease where an unchecked Jake McGrew one-timed a point-blank shot past Gulls goalie Francis Marotte for his fifth goal of the season at the 9:26 mark.

The Barracuda had the ice tilted in their favor in the opening 20 minutes as they outshot the Gulls 15-8.

San Diego (12-13-2-0) answered back with an even strength goal early in the second period. A turnover inside the ‘Cuda zone led to Benoit-Oliver Groulx sent a cross ice pass out the left point over to Trevor Carrick. The former Barracuda defenseman blasted a slap shot past ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey for his third goal of the season at the 5:25 mark.

The Gulls gained its first lead on a delayed penalty call. Lucas Elvenes was being cross-checked down to the ice, the puck reached Bryce Kindopp who used a backhand shot to put the puck past the five-hole of Harvey for his fourth goal of the season at the 13:01 mark.

“(There) just wasn’t enough desperation in our game for 60 minutes. We played 45 minutes of it. But with the team we have right now, that’s not going to win (games),” Sommer said.

The Barracuda took advantage on its first five-on-three power play opportunity when they evened the game with 10 seconds remaining in the middle frame. Joachim Blichfeld’s initial shot was blocked. Jayden Halbgewachs quickly gave it back to Blichfeld and the Danish native rifled a wrist shot top shelf over the shoulder of Marotte for his 12th goal of the season.

Groulx sealed the deal with an empty net goal with three seconds left, his third of the season.

“Some stupid decisions,” said Blichfeld explaining on the team ended with a loss. “And some bad power play at the end. We gotta execute on those (opportunities).”

Marotte (2-1-1), who made just his sixth AHL appearance, finished the evening stopping 38 of the 40 shots he faced to earn the victory. Harvey (2-3-0), who made his third consecutive start, made 19 saves on 22 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-6 on the power play. San Diego was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Limoges 2) Marotte 3) Blichfeld

San Jose is 24-30-6-3 all time versus San Diego and 13-14-3-1 at home.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to Bakersfield to take on the Condors at 7:00pm at Mechanics Bank Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda face off tonight against Gulls in San Jose

A look at the future home of the San Jose Barracuda at Sharks Ice for the 2022-23 season. The Barracuda face off against the San Diego Gulls Tue Jan 18, 2022 in San Jose (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko, tough loss for the San Jose Barracuda (13-16-1-0) who allowed three goals in the first period during Saturday’s game in Bakersfield in a tough 5-1 loss.

#2 The Condors (12-8-3-3) have won five straight games and also have points in their last nine games.

#3 The Condors James Hamblin scored twice against San Jose which was his fourth and fifth goals career against San Jose.

#4 The Barracuda fell to 1-2 for the season against the Condors. The Barracuda face the Condors this Saturday and Sunday just wanted to get your take on the Barracuda’s chances of getting a win against Bakersfield?

#5 The Barracuda battle the San Diego Gulls tonight in San Jose the last time the two teams met was on Sat Dec 18th the Barracuda won the contest 4-1 in San Diego. How do you see tonight’s match.

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

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’s third period blitz bury Gulls 4-1

The San Jose Barracuda bounced back from their last game loss to the Ontario Reign Fri Dec 17 and defeated the San Diego Gulls at Pachenga Sports Arena in San Diego on Sat Dec 18, 2021 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO — Fifth time is a charm.

The San Jose Barracuda scored four unanswered goals in the third period as they defeated the San Diego Gulls 4-1 on Saturday night at Pachenga Sports Arena. It was the first victory for San Jose against San Diego this season after losing the first four games of the season series.

San Jose have won three out of its past four games. San Diego have lost three games in a row.

San Diego (9-12-1-0) had a chance to break the seal at the 11:19 mark of the first period when they were awarded a penalty shot when Buddy Robinson was hooked by Artemi Kniazev on a breakaway opportunity. However, ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk stood his ground and made a left blocker save on Robinson’s attempt.

San Jose’s (9-12-1-0) best chance to score in the opening frame was a short-handed chance from Evander Kane with under five minutes remaining. His shot was stopped by Gulls goalie Ollie Eriksson-Ek and cleared away from the crease by Vinni Lettieri.

San Diego drew first blood on the power play late in the second period. Lettieri found Benoit-Oliver Groulx open along the left wing. Groulx snapped home a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his first goal of the season with 2:13 remaining.

The goal triggered hundreds of stuffed animals thrown on to the ice as it was the Gulls annual Teddy Bear Toss night and the officials sent both teams to the locker room as the final 2:13 of the second period played the second intermission.

San Jose evened the score early in the third period on an even strength goal. Patrick Holway found himself at the right place at the right time. A shot from the point by Nick Cicek pinballed off a scrum in front of the net out just beyond the faceoff circles. Holway collected the puck and fired a wrist shot to the short side past Eriksson-Ek for his career AHL goal at the 4:08 mark.

Holway is on a professional try out contract with the ‘Cuda from the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.

Kane gave the ‘Cuda their first lead of the game halfway through the period. He intercepted a centering pass inside the Gulls zone by Groulx and snapped home a shot through the five-hole of Eriksson-Ek for his second goal as a member of the Barracuda at the 9:39 mark.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal of the game on the penalty kill. Artemi Kniazev set up Kane, who sent a shot on net that Eriksson-Ek wasn’t able to control the rebound. Scott Reedy, who was parked out in front of the crease, buried the rebound for his team leading 13th goal of the season at the 12:34 mark.

It was the first point of Kniazev’s AHL career. Kane now has eight points in six games.

The Barracuda scored its fourth short-handed of the season and have all four in their past four games.

San Diego head coach Joel Bouchard decided to take a long shot gamble as he pulled Eriksoon-Ek with 5:40 left in the third period. It backfired as Jacob Megna scored an empty netter from his own zone with 46 second left to seal the deal.

Megna’s second goal of the season happened while San Jose was down six-on-four as they were killing off a hooking penalty taken by Krystof Hrabik.

Melnichuk, who was pulled after the first period last night against Ontario, rebounded with his best performance of the season. He finished stopping 26 of the 27 shots in earning his fifth victory of the season.

Eriksson-Ek made 28 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. San Diego was 1-for-6. The ‘Cuda have given up a power play goal in their 10th straight game.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kane 2) Reedy 3) Groulx.

San Jose is now 5-12 after trailing after two periods. They have snapped a three-game losing streak on the road.

Eriksson-Ek suffered his first loss against San Jose in his career. He is now 5-1 against them.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues their road trip with a two-game series with the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday 12/21 at 6:05pm at Budweiser Events Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Kane joins Cuda will showcase to increase his trade value

Evander Kane returns to the ice with the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda after serving a suspension he’s seen in this May 12, 2021 file photo skating for the Sharks (AP file photo)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 After clearing waivers on Monday forward Evander Kane will be skating with the San Jose Barracuda in their next game in Abbotsford on Friday night. Kane cleared waivers and is of the understanding his being in the AHL is to increase his chances of joining a future NHL team question is after what he’s been through and accused of will teams be on the take or just stay away?

#2 There is no doubt Kane could help the Barracuda for the balance of the season if he does not get picked up no matter how well he does with the Cuda could you see him coming back to the Sharks?

#3 Marko the San Jose Barracuda (5-8-1-0) had a scheduled game in Ontario against the Ontario Reign (11-2-0-1) on Saturday only to have the game postponed due to a malfunction in the ice making equipment at Toyota Arena.

#4 The Reign are on such a hot streak that having a ice melt down at the Toyota Center might have given the Barracuda a break in more ways than one.

#5 Marko for the Barracuda who are in last place in the AHL Pacific Division they lost all four of their home at home series with the San Diego Gulls most recently last Fri Nov 26 in San Diego 4-2.

#6 Marko, the Barracuda were only able to score twice on Friday night getting goal in each of the second and third periods and fell short 4-2 to the Gulls. How dire is their offense in terms of just keeping up with the opponents right now.

#5 It’s back up to Abbottsford as the Barracuda split a two game series with the Canucks (4-6-2-1) the last visit on Fri Nov 12 losing 7-1 and getting a win Sun Nov 14 in a shootout 3-2.

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

Gulls punch it past Barracuda 4-2; San Jose suffers fourth straight loss

The San Jose Barracuda get swept in their home at home series with the San Diego Gulls this time concluding a two game series at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Fri Nov 26, 2021 (photo by San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Gulls really enjoyed their time against the San Jose Barracuda.

The Gulls used a balanced attack to defeat the ‘Cuda 4-2 on Friday evening at Pechanga Arena.

San Jose have lost four games in a row to its SoCal rival and anchor the bottom of the Pacific Division. San Diego have won games four in a row against its rival from the north.

San Diego (7-6-1-0) drew first blood late in the first period on the power play. Former ‘Cuda killer Danny O’Regan won a faceoff and sent it back to the point where Nicolas Brouillard fired a shot that Brogan Rafferty redirected past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his third goal of the season at the 16:55 mark.

O’Regan snapped a five-game goal less draught.

San Jose (5-8-1-0) out shot San Diego 8-6 in the opening 20 minutes.

The Barracuda answered back with a power play goal of their own early in the second period. The Merkley duo of Ryan and Nick helped set up Joachim Blichfeld all alone in the left slot. Ryan sent a pass over to Nick and he found Blichfeld who blasted a one-timer past Gulls goalie Olle Eriksson-Ek for his fourth goal of the season at the 4:05 mark.

Blichfeld has scored all four goals this season on the man advantage. He also registered his first point on the road with the power play goal.

San Diego regained the lead a little more than halfway through the period. Vincent Marleau sent the puck behind the net where Brayden Tracey collected the puck. Tracey skated out to the faceoff circle, turned and fired a shot that beat Melnichuk to the short side for his fifth goal of the season at the 12:02 mark.

The Gulls received an insurance goal in the second half of the third period on the power play. Alex Limoges skated in from the left wing and centered a pass over to Bryce Kindopp who tapped home the perfect pass to the tape into an open net for his second goal of the season at the 13:29 mark.

San Jose cut the lead to a one-goal game with 33 second left. With Melnichuk pulled for an extra attacker, Ryan Merkley fed a pass over to Blichfeld at the left slot. Blichfeld blasted a shot past Ericksson-Ek for his second goal of the night and fifth of the season.

Buddy Robinson closed out the scoring with an empty net goal with one second remaining.

Things were chippy for the majority of the third period as skirmishes ensured after the whistle was blown stopping play. There was no love lost between the two teams after playing four straight games.

Eriksson-Ek finished the night with 26 saves on 28 shots to earn the victory. He is now 5-0 in his career versus San Jose. Melnichuk 22 saves on 25 shots, including to two breakaway attempts, in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Rafferty 2) Tracey 3) Brouillard

UP NEXT: San Jose and Ontario was postponed for tomorrow evening at the Toyota Arena.