BARRACUDA BITE GRIFFINS IN GRAND RAPIDS, 4-1

Jan 27, 2017

Grand Rapids, MI - The San Jose Barracuda (21-11-1-3) used two Nikolay Goldobin goals, and 43 Troy Grosenick saves to earn a 4-1 win over the Western Conference's first-place Grand Rapids Griffins (27-12-1-2) at Van Andel Arena on Friday night.
 
Grosenick (11-8-2) earned his second consecutive victory after setting a season-high in saves.
 
In the first period, each team exchanged a handful of offensive chances, but it was Barclay Goodrow (13) who was able to break the deadlock as he snuck behind the Griffin' defense on the penalty kill and beat Cal Heeter through the five-hole.
 
In the second, San Jose added to its lead as Goldobin (8) ripped a shot top-shelf from the right circle at 9:34 on the power play. Grosenick continued his strong play by making 17 saves in the period to hold the 2-0 lead through 40 minutes.
 
31 seconds into the third, Evgeny Svechnikov (13) trickled a shot through the five-hole of Grosenick to cut San Jose's lead in half, but Goldobin (9) responded a 1:57 as he whistled a rebound past Heeter after Marcus Sorensen had hit the right post moments before. San Jose took its first three-goal lead when Julius Berman (2) one-timed a John McCarthy pass from the left point at 5:33.
 
Heeter suffered the loss (7-2-0) after allowing four goals on 28 shots.
 
THREE STARS
1. Troy Grosenick (SJ: 43 saves)
2. Nikolay Goldobin (SJ: 2+0=2)
3. Evgeny Svechnikov (GR: 1+0=1)
 
BOX SCORE
 
The Barracuda continue their seven game road trip on Saturday night in Milwaukee 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.