San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: San Jose and Henderson battle Wed night at Tech CU Arena

San Jose Barracuda forward Tyler Bird (96) battles past the Bakersfield Condors defense at Mechanics Bank Arena on Sat Mar 11, 2023 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The Bakersfield Condors blitzed the San Jose Barracuda with five unanswered goals including a hat trick from Seth Griffith in a 6-2 crushing victory on Saturday evening at Mechanics Bank Arena.

#2 The Condors Seth Griffith picked up a hat trick against the Barracuda and Barracuda head coach John McCarthy had to try to set up a plan to stop him on defense.

#3 San Jose had its two-game winning streak snapped. Bakersfield went back up five points on San Jose for seventh place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division.

#4 San Jose had its two-game winning streak snapped. Bakersfield went back up five points on San Jose for seventh place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division.

#5 San Jose returns home to host the Henderson Silver Knights on Wednesday at 10:30am at Tech CU Arena.

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda try to rebound from loses against Reign Wed night

San Jose Barracuda lost another tough contest to the Coachella Valley Firebirds

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 On their second of back-to-backs San Jose Barracuda (22-27-1-4) dropped the game late in the third against the Coachella Valley Firebirds (35-10-4-2) by a final of 5-4.

#2 Similar to their last game the Barracuda found themselves down early as Kyle Criscuolo got a penalty for hooking just 1:47 in. San Jose’s PK unit came up big and killed it off keeping the Firebirds off the scoreboard.

#3 Coachella Valley continued their momentum as Alexander True scored getting his ninth goal of the season and making it 3-2. At the end of the first the shots favored San Jose 16-13.

#4 Late in the period the Firebirds pushed for a goal and got one as Tye Kartye scored his 17th goal of the season to break the tie. San Jose pulled their goalie but could not find a response as the Firebirds held on to win 5-4.

#5 San Jose’s next game will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Ontario Reign on the road.

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda look to snap five game skid Wednesday night at Tech CU

The Calgary Wranglers swept the San Jose Barracuda in a two game set on Fri Feb 10, 2023 and Sat Feb 11, 2023 nights at Tech CU Arena in San Jose (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Matthew Phillips scored the winning goal in the shootout to give the Calgary Wranglers a 5-4 victory over the San Jose Barracuda (18-25-0-4) on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

#2 San Jose has lost five games in a row. Calgary has won three games in a row and swept the two-game series with San Jose.

#3 Calgary (33-11-2-0) drew first blood late in the first period. Emilio Pettersen point blank chance was initially saved by ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi but the rebound was tucked home by Kevin Rooney for his third goal of the season at the 18:49 mark.

#4 Calgary had a power play in the overtime session but failed to take advantage of their opportunity as San Jose forced the game into the shootout. The Wranglers Daniil Chechelev finished the evening with 29 saves on 33 shots to earn the victory. Makiniemi made 27 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

#5  San Jose host the Ontario Reign (26-17-1-1) on Wednesday at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena. The Reign are sixth in the AHL Pacific Division with 54 points and have won six of their last ten games. Can the Barracuda hold onto home ice and scratch out a win after losing five straight games?

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda begin final road trip on Wednesday night in Bakersfield

The San Jose Barracuda defenseman Anthony Bitetto (2) has control of the puck on Fri Apr 15, 2022 against the Abbottsford Canucks at 4Solar America in San Jose in the last home game of the season for the Barracuda (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (20-39-4) in their last game of the season grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period over the Abbotsford Canucks ((35-25-1) at 4Solar America Arena in San Jose but the Barracuda couldn’t hold the lead succumbing to a 4-3 come back loss by the Canucks last Friday.

#2 Early in the game the Barracuda’s Lane Pederson showed off his handiwork by scoring those two goals with a powerplay goal and a shorthanded goal for his eighth and ninth goals of the season.

#3 It’s been a long time coming but Kyle Topping got his second goal after 22 games the goal tied the game up 3-3 and forced overtime.

#4 The Canucks Justin Dowling scored twice in the contest once in the first period and the game winning goal in the overtime stanza. Dowling is on a roll he has scored a goal in each of his last three games.

#5 The Barracuda now head to Bakersfield to face off with the Bakersfield Condors at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield (33-20-5) this Wed Apr 20th 6:30 pm PDT with a trip to Henderson on the 22nd and 23rd to close out the regular season. The last time the Cuda and Condors met was back on Wed Apr 6th in San Jose in an overtime loss for the Barracuda 3-2.

Marko did the Barracuda podcasts throughout the 2021-22 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Knights Dorofeyev and Quine scores twice in 7-3 win over Barracuda on fan appreciation day

Through all their tough efforts for defenseman Artemi Kniazev (25) and the San Jose Barracuda the Henderson Silver Knights dominated on offense scoring four times in the first period, twice in the second and third periods at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Apr 10, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, first period the Henderson Silver Knights (28-28-5) didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard with a rip roaring 4-1 lead over the San Jose Barracuda (20-37-3). The Knights got goals from Colt Conrad, Ben Jones, Alan Quine, and Pavel Dorofeyev.

#2 Marko, taking a look at the Knights Ben Jones he’s been owning the red light with his first period goal he picks up his 22nd goal of the season truly a high mark in the AHL.

#3 The Knights scored three goals in the second period, Dorofeyev picked up his second goal of the contest and his 25th goal of the season scoring at 8:24. Dorofeyev is another guy who has found the back end of the net all season.

#4 The Knights in the third period didn’t waste anytime throwing two more goals at Emond and the Barracuda when Reid Duke scored an unassisted goal at 2:01 and Alan Quine at 2:57 who also scored twice for a four goal 7-3 Henderson win. This was the Barracuda’s tenth straight loss.

#5 The Cuda host the Bakersfield Condors (32-19-5) Wed Apr 13 at SAP Center in San Jose at 7:00 pm the last time the two teams met back on Mar 2 the Barracuda won it 5-3 at SAP Center. This will be the Barracuda’s last game at SAP Center before moving to their new home at Solar4 America Arena next season.

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

Griffith’s OT win propel Condors over Barracuda in 3-2 win

The San Jose Barracuda forward Joachim Blichfeld (86) takes a shot in front of the Bakersfield Condors right winger Seth Griffith (39) at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Wed Mar 6, 2022 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — It was a nice comeback, but the result was still the same.

Seth Griffin scored the game winning goal in overtime to give The Bakersfield Condors a 3-2 overtime victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday morning.

Griffth’s 23rd goal of the season came at the 1:48 mark in the extra session. Griffith skated in from the blueline and around Joachim Blichfeld and finished off a brilliant play with a backhand shot top shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock.

Despite earning a point, San Jose has lost a season worst eight games in a row with eight games left to play. Bakersfield have won three out of its last four games and sit in fourth place in the Pacific Division with 72 points.

Bakersfield (31-18-5-5) drew first blood in the final minute of the first period with a power play goal. Dylan Holloway set up Yanni Kaldis at the point and the Condors defenseman sent a quick shot past Stalock for his fifth goal of the season at the 19:02 mark.

It was the seventh straight game San Jose (20-36-3-2) has given up a power play goal to the opposing team.

The Condors doubled their lead with a short-handed goal early in the second period. James Hamblin pick pocketed Artemi Kniazev inside the ‘Cuda zone. Hamblin got Stalock to go down before putting a backhander past him for his 18th goal of the season at the 5:08 mark.

San Jose has given up five short-handed goals in their last eight games.

The Barracuda had only three shots in the middle frame as they were outshot 23-10 after 40 minutes.

San Jose cut the lead in half with a power play goal past the halfway mark in the third period. Blichfeld cleaned up a rebound with a hook and drag move in the right slot and snapped home a wrist shot past Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner for his team leading 23rd goal at the 11:04 mark.

Blichfeld set the single season franchise record for power play goals with 12 as he eclipsed the mark set by Danny O’Regan back in 2011 season.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer late in the third period thanks to a good individual effort by Jayden Halbgewachs. Blichfeld sent a pass up into the Condor’s zone. Halbgewachs made a nice move around Marcus Neimelainen before roofing a shot top shelf past Stuart for his 17th goal of the season at the 15:33 mark.

Stuart (17-4-5) finished the morning stopping 18 of the 20 shots he faced to earn the victory. Stalock (4-6-1) made 34 saves on 37 shots in the losing effort.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Griffith 2) Hamblin 3) Halbgewachs

Stuart is 9-0 against San Jose on home ice.

UP NEXT: San Jose return home to begin a two-game series with the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday 4/9 at 6:00pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Hrabik will be left off active roster too toxic after racist gesture suspension

The San Jose Barracuda Steenn Pasichnuk (80) holds back the Tucson Roadrunners Boko Imama (right) after the Barracuda’s Krystof Hrabik (81) made racist ape like gestures towards Imama on Jan 12, 2022. Hrabik was suspeneded for 30 games which was shortened to 28 activated on Wed Mar 30, 2022. The Barracuda will not have him back for the rest of the season and his contract is finished after this season. (file photo by fearofthefin.com)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Despite the AHL lifting the 30 game suspension which San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik served 28 games, Hrabik is not expected back at the Barracuda and most likely for the rest of the season. Hrabik during a game against the Tucson Roadrunners made racist gestures to Roadrunners  Boko Imama who is African Canadian. It’s pretty easy to predict that the reason for not bringing Hrabik back is because he’s pretty toxic after what he did in the Jan 12th.

#2 It was too early in the morning Wednesday as the San Jose Barracuda (20-34-2) just couldn’t wake up against the visiting Ontario Reign (36-14-4) after giving up three goals in the first period on Classroom day at the SAP Center that featured a 10:30 AM start.

#3 The Barracuda have now lost five straight after losing Ontario 6-3. The Barracuda have suffered on both sides on the puck on defense and offense.

#4 Evan Weinger scored his 12th goal of the season and scored two points in his last three games. Weinger set a single season high in goals, assists and points.

#5 The Barracuda are in Stockton tonight. The Barracuda lost all four of their meeting with the Heat in March. Here it is April can the Barracuda win one at least one of the two remaining games tonight or Sunday?

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda look to come back tonight in Stockton; Concludes home at home series with Heat

The San Jose Barracuda after taking a one goal overtime loss to the Stockton Heat Fri Mar 11, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose look to avenge the loss Sat Mar 12, 2022 to conclude the two game home at home series at Stockton Arena (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (18-28-2) lost 6-5 in a shootout to the Stockton Heat (32-9-4) on Friday. It was the eighth straight home loss against the Heat for the Barracuda.

#2 The Barracuda got goals from Joachim Blichfield, Eban Weinger, Artemi Kniazev, John Leonard. Goaltender Zachary Emond made 34 saves in the loss. It was Kniazev’s first pro multi-goal game.

#3 The first period was scoreless with the Barracuda outshooting the Heat 14-8. The penalty box saw some traffic with the Heat taking three penalties to the Barracuda’s two.

#4 On Friday night the Barracuda Joachim Blichfeld scored got a goal and now leads San Jose in points with with 33. Blichfeld is tied for the team lead in goals.

#5 The Barracuda and Heat went six rounds in the overtime shootout on Friday and San Jose dropped to 2-1 in shootouts for the season. Marko do you see these teams evenly matched at times they played a close game Friday and the two teams match up again tonight in Stockton at 6:00 pm PST.

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

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda return home to face Bakersfield; SJ has won two of their last three games

The San Jose Barracuda right winger Nick Merkley scored his first goal in 13 games against the Texas Stars on Sun Feb 20, 2022 in Cedar Park Tx (file photo from nhl.com)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The Texas Stars (15-18-5-4) who were down 1-0 to the San Jose Barracuda (15-27-1-0) came back and scored four unanswered goals at the H-E-B Center. How does Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer address the defense at this juncture?

#2 Barracuda goaltender Zach Emond in his fifth AHL game stopped a career high 38 shots out of 40 in Sunday’s game.

#3 The Barracuda’s Nick Merkley who went without scoring a goal in 13 games found the back end of the net with a goal in the second period his seventh of the season to start Sunday’s game.

#4 Marko, one thing you could say for the Barracuda they’re improving on the penalty kill. On Sunday they killed off four Stars power plays making that 19 straight penalty kills.

#5 The Barracuda are back at it again when they host the Bakersfield Condors at SAP Center for a 7 PM face off. The Barracuda have won two of their last three games.

Marko Ukalovic does the Barracuda podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda coming away with big win over Condors face tough team Reign Wednesday

The scoreboard shows the San Jose Barracuda with a three goal win over the Bakersfield Condors from Sun Jan 23, 2022 game at SAP Center in San Jose (image from San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (14-19-1-0) ended their three game losing streak defeating one of the AHL’s winningest teams the Bakersfield Condors (14-9-3-3) on Sunday at SAP Center during the Fight Cancer and Pucks for Paws promotions. The Barracuda got a three goal win 5-2.

#2 The Barracuda’s Jake McGrew started things off with his sixth goal of the season in the first period and his third goal and assists in his last seven games.

#3 Zachary Gallant picked up his eighth assist of the season an improvement from last year where he had just four assists. Gallant now has a goal and four assists in his last seven games.

#4 Barracuda rookie Scott Reedy picked his tenth power play goal on Sunday and his 17th goal of the season which also help contribute to defeating the Condors.

#5 The Condors ended their six game win streak with the loss and had an 11 game point streak going. The win for the Barracuda is their second in home games at SAP Center.

#6 It’s back to school for the Ontario Reign (20-6-3-2) and Barracuda this Wed Jan 26th for Cuda Classroom Day. All schools will be admitted for a 10:00 AM puck drop at SAP Center. The Reign are going well winning six of their last eight games.

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