GAMEDAY: BARRACUDA AT CANUCKS
Feb 20, 2023SAN JOSE BARRACUDA (20-25-0-4) vs. ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS (29-17-2-2)
MON, FEB. 20 | 2:00 P.M. | Abbotsford Centre | Abbotsford, BC
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Back in BC: After picking up a 4-3 win over the Abbotsford Canucks on Saturday, the Barracuda close out its eight-game season series with Vancouver’s top affiliate on Monday afternoon at the Abbotsford Centre. Entering Monday, SJ has won back-to-back games for the first time since mid-January and have points in three straight. Each of the last four games against the Canucks have been decided by just one goal as the Barracuda boast a 2-2 record during that stretch and are 2-5 on the year.
Last Time Out: The Barracuda scored three times in the third period on Saturday night at the Abbotsford Centre, including two goals from C.J. Suess, claiming a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Canucks. William Eklund and Andrew Agozzino also tallied, and Strauss Mann made a career-best 36 saves en route to his second consecutive win. The Canucks got goals from Wyatt Kalynuk, Nils Hoglander, and Danila Klimovich and Spencer Martin took the loss, allowing four goals on 24 shots.
About Abbotsford: The Canucks enter Friday one point ahead of the Colorado Eagles for the third spot in the Pacific Division. Since beginning the season with a 7-7-1-1 (.500) through its first 16 games, the Canucks have gone 22-10-1-1 (.676) in its last 34 contests. Abby ranks seventh in the AHL in goals for (3.46), 13th in goals against (2.94), and second in shots against (27.40).
Canucks’ Confines: Abbotsford is second in the AHL in goals for (3.91) and goals against (2.51) at home and have the AHL’s best +/- (+33) on home ice. After Monday, the Canucks will have 11 games remaining in the regular season at the Abbotsford Centre. Abby is now 5-3-1-1 over its last 10 at home, but still have the fourth-best home winning percentage (.688) in the league.
About the Barracuda: San Jose enters Monday four points behind the Bakersfield Condors for the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The Barracuda are 1-2 at the Abbotsford Centre this season and 3-4-0 all-time. On the road this year, SJ is 8-12-0-2 and 3-5-0-2 in its last 10. After Saturday, the Barracuda will have 13 more road games remaining on its schedule and 22 in total. San Jose is 30th in the league in goals for (2.63) and 25th in goals against (3.39). Saturday was the first time this season in which the Barracuda reached four goals in a game versus the Canucks. Prior to Saturday, SJ had averaged 2.16 goals for and 4.16 goals against when playing Abbotsford. The Cuda are first in the AHL in penalty minutes per game (18.16), third in minor penalties (268), and third in times-shorthanded (221).
Willing his Way: Barracuda general manager Joe Will collected his 300th win in his career as the Sharks’ top affiliate GM. The longtime executive has held the position since the 2013-14 season with the Worcester Sharks. His career record stands at 300-261-40-30 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in 632 games.