BARRACUDA SINK ADMIRALS IN GROSENICK'S HOMECOMING
Jan 28, 2017
Milwaukee, WI - The San Jose Barracuda (22-11-1-3) welcomed Kevin Labanc back to the lineup and fended off a pesky Milwaukee Admirals (24-15-2-2) team, 4-2, on Saturday night at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
Troy Grosenick (12-8-2) played in his home state for the first time in his pro career and made 20 saves to earn his third straight win.
In his first game back with the Barracuda since December 4, Labanc (5) waited 36 seconds before he got behind the Admirals defense and went backhand-to-forehand before sliding the puck through the five-hole of Marek Mazanec. The Admirals settled into the period and countered when Andrew O'Brien's shot from the left point was stopped by Grosenick's left pad, and the rebound was wristed short-side top-shelf by Anthony Richard (2) at 6:03.
San Jose recaptured its lead in the second when Marcus Sorensen found Nikolay Goldobin (10) streaking free down the left wing, and Goldobin ripped a shot through the five-hole of Mazanec at 7:29. Tim Heed (11) pushed San Jose's lead to 3-1 as blasted a slap shot from the right point at 8:34. Fredrick Gaudreau cut the advantage back down to one with a tap-in goal on a perfect backdoor feed from Pontus Aberg at 10:04.
In the third, Barclay Goodrow (13) sealed the victory as Labanc found San Jose's leading goal scorer open in the left high-slot and Goodrow fired the puck into the open net at the seven-minute mark.
Mazanec (11-10-1) suffered the loss after allowing four goals on 25 shots.
THREE STARS
1. Troy Grosenick (SJ: 20 saves)
2. Fredrick Gaudreau (MIL: 1+0=1)
3. Tim Heed (SJ: 1+0=1)
BOX SCORE
The Barracuda continue their seven-game road trip next Friday in Manitoba against the Moose and don't return to SAP Center until Feb. 8 against the San Diego Gulls. On Feb. 12, the Barracuda will wear specialty California Republic Jerseys when they take on the Tucson Roadrunners. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at SJBarracuda.com/tickets or by calling 408.999.5757.