Barracuda Close Out Home Stand All Smiles

Mar 30, 2016

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (29-22-7-3, 68pts) presented by Barracuda Networks closed out a season long six game home stand with a 3-1 victory over the Ontario Reign (39-17-4-1, 83pts) in front 3,920 fans at SAP Center on Wednesday evening.  With the win, the Barracuda move past the Charlotte Checkers for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Petter Emanuelsson, Bryan Lerg, and Nikolay Goldobin scored for San Jose while Aaron Dell made 35 saves in net for the win.  Gus Young added two assists as the Barracuda chased goaltender Peter Budaj from the net midway through the second period. The Barracuda now hit the road for six games before returning home on April 17 to close out the regular season vs. the Stockton Heat.

Both teams had great chances in a fast paced first period but the only strike came off the stick of Petter Emanuelsson (9th) at 15:18 after a Ryan Carpenter shot was blocked in front and Petter blasted a quick shot past Peter Budaj from the right slot.  Shots were 8-7 San Jose through 20 minutes of play.

The Barracuda went ahead 3-0 after Bryan Lerg (18th) won a battle in the corner and zipped a quick shot through Budaj at 5:41 followed by Nikolay Goldobin (18th) firing a puck from the left corner on the rush off the glove of Budaj and into the net at 10:25.  Peter Budaj was pulled for the first time this season after allowing three goals on 12 shots in favor of Michael Hauser.  Ontario would score late in the period as Kris Newbury (7th) threw the puck towards the net from the right corner that went off Dell and off a body in front and into the net at 18:52.  San Jose led 3-1 through 40 minutes but were outshot 17-13.

Aaron Dell stood on his head in the third period as he turned away all 19 shots he faced as the Barracuda held on for the 3-1 home victory over the Ontario Reign.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star Aaron Dell (35 saves, Win) 2nd star: Petter Emanuelsson (Goal) 1st star: Gus Young (0-2-2, +3)….Final shots were 36-20 in favor of Ontario… Peter Budaj (37-13-4) made 9 saves on 12 shots in 30:25 for Ontario while Michael Hauser made 8 saves on 8 shots in relief….Aaron Dell (15-13-5) made 35 saves on 36 shots for San Jose in his 4th straight start in net…. Troy Grosenick served as the backup goalie for the ….San Jose went 0-for-4 on the power play while Ontario went 0-for-4…. Raffi Torres (IR), Danny Doremus (inj), Patrick McNally, Frazer McLaren, and Alex Gallant did not dress for the Barracuda… the Barracuda finished 3-2-1-0 on their season long six game home stand… San Jose finished the month of March with a 6-4-1-0 record….Joakim Ryan added an assist and was +3… Michael Brodzinski played against his brother Jonny Brodzinski.

Coming up…. 
On Friday, the Barracuda begin a six game road trip with a 7pm start in Bakersfield vs. the Condors.  Coverage begins at 7pm on AM 1220 KDOW.   Listen to every game live for free on KDOW.biz or AHL Live. Join the game day conversation on Facebook and follow the game on Twitter by following @SJBarracuda.

Group tickets are on sale now by contacting the Barracuda Office at 408-977-4747 or by crashing the net at www.SJBarracuda.com.