The San Jose Barracuda and the Tuscon Roadrunners combined for 14 goals last night, as the Roadrunners took the game 8-6 after a late penalty and subsequent power play goal for Tuscon. It brings San Jose’s 2 game winning streak to an end.
The Barracuda
The Barracuda came into the game on a two game winning streak, having taken care of the division-leading Calgary Wranglers in a weekend series, outscoring them 8-2 in the process. This included a 3-0 win on Teddy Bear Toss night. Of the Barracuda’s three wins so far this season, three of them have come against the Wranglers.
The Opponent
The Roadrunners were recently named the Surprise Of The Pacific Division during the Callies: AHL News Now’s flagship podcast, Calder Calling’s end of year awards ceremony. Going into this game, they were third in the Pacific Division, only four points behind the Wranglers. Dylan Guenther is the player to watch for the Roadrunners, with 20 points in 24 games so far this season.
The Game
The Barracuda started strong with Bradley Marek opening the scoring under five minutes in, and outshooting the Roadrunners 5-0 in the early going. However, in what would be the story of the game, they conceded a tying goal by Aku Raty just over two minutes later. The teams traded goals again in the first courtesy of Shakir Mukhamadullin on the power play and Lleyton Moore, going into the first intermission tied. After that hot start, the Barracuda ended the period being outshot 17-10
The second period was where the troubles started for San Jose. Marek scored his second of the game, but Tuscon equalised less than twenty seconds later, before Raty completed his hat trick by scoring the next two goals. Tuscon goes into the second intermission down 5-3, and it looks like they’re going to need a Sharks style comeback to be in with a chance of 2 points.
It looked like it was going well, Thomas Bordeleau scoring his 8th of the season on a sneaky shot that fooled the Tuscon goaltender, Matt Villalta, but San Jose once again concedes a response goal for the fourth time to restore Tuscon’s two goal lead. The Barracuda showed life again halfway through the period, with a power play goal from Scott Sabourin, who earlier had a spirited bout with former Barracuda Montana Onyebuchi, making his return to Tech CU for the first time this season. However, the narrative continues: another quick response from Tuscon.
With under 5 minutes left, Leon Gawanke, who was San Jose’s best player last night, pulled them within one again, and with the goaltender Eetu Makiniemi pulled, the Barracuda made a really hard push to equalise. However, Sabourin would take a tripping penalty with 19 seconds left, and that was all she wrote.
“It’s not just goals, it’s timings of goals”, Head Coach John McCarthy said in a post game press conference. “We didn’t do a good enough job of recognising the momentum shifts tonight.”
McCarthy talked to AHL News Now about the momentum shifts and how to reset after a quick goal. “You have to have a short memory and get onto the next play, whether it’s a goal against, a turnover, a penalty. It’s something we’ve struggled with all season.”
Stat Corner
The power play continues to click, going 2 for 3 on the night. They’re up to 19th in the league, with over 19% efficiency. However, the penalty kill was poor, only killing one of the three penalties they took. Both goals were quick, the first one coming 14 seconds into the PP, and the second only four seconds in.
Big Fish In A Small Pond
Leon Gawanke continues to impress in his first season with the Barracuda. With a goal and an assist last night, he’s up to 20 points in 24 games for San Jose, and is on pace for 60 points on the season, 15 higher than his career best with Manitoba. He’s currently riding a three game point streak, with five points in those three games.
Next Up
The Barracuda are back in action on Friday in Henderson as they take on the Silver Knights at 7pm PT.
