BARRACUDA BLANK EAGLES 5-0
Nov 18, 2018San Jose, CA- The San Jose Barracuda (10-3-0-1) had a six-day hiatus between games before they did battle with the Colorado Eagles (6-7-3-0) (Colorado Avalanche) on Sunday night at SAP Center at San Jose. This matchup marked the beginning of eight games between the teams this season and the first of three in a row. San Jose won the inaugural game by putting up a season-high 47 shots and connected for five goals in-route to the 5-0 win in front of a season high 5,469 fans.
It was throwback night at SAP Center on Sunday as fans received Cleveland Barons jerseys upon entrance. The Barons were the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate from 2001-2006. The Barracuda also wore the retro colorway. The 'Cuda, coming off two straight shutout losses, looked to get back on track and end the season's first losing streak against Colorado on Sunday. San Jose was the beneficiary of several penalties assessed against Colorado, but neither team could find the back of the net in the first period.
Although the game was scoreless after the first period, San Jose outplayed and outshot the Eagles 14-to-five while setting the pace of the game. After an early penalty kill by the Barracuda, they would beat Colorado's netminder
Spencer Martin at 6:56 of the second. Francis Perron (7) took a forehand pass from Jonathan Martin and buried it in the wide-open net to give the 'Cuda a 1-0 lead. A bevy of penalties by the Eagles gifted the Barracuda with an extended five-on-three power play that the Barracuda took advantage of. After several close chances, and several impressive saves by Martin, Perron (8) would find his second goal of the period off of a blast from the blue line that went five-hole on Martin to give the Barracuda a 2-0 lead at 10:33 of the second period. The period would end with that same 2-0 score, and with the Barracuda leading 31-seven on the shot clock.
However, the Barracuda were not done yet. San Jose captain
John McCarthy (2) was able to capitalize on a superb individual effort from
Jeffrey Viel. Viel drove behind the net and took a Colorado defender with him before dropping it for McCarthy who fired it off Colorado's goaltender and in from below the end-line. The 'Cuda would add another goal on the power play with 3:37 left in the game. Vincent Praplan (1) was able to find a spot in between the faceoff circles, and then received a perfect pass from Jacob Middleton and put it top corner to give the Barracuda a 4-0 lead. San Jose still had something left in the tank as the third period winded down. Jeremy Roy ferociously skated towards the net and was tied up, but he was able to muster a backhanded shot that was padded away by Spencer Martin, but Alexander True (2) cleaned up the rebound and beat martin for the fifth and final goal of the evening. Barracuda netminder Josef Korenar was sound in the win, stopping all 16 shots he faced and improving his record to 6-1-0 on the season. The shutout was the first of the rookie goaltenders pro career.
Sunday's game was nothing if not entertaining. There were five goals, thirteen penalties and a total of 63 shots on goal. It was certainly a game suitable for serving as the first meeting between these new Pacific division rivals. The shutout was the first for the Barracuda this season.
These two teams will tangle again the next time the Barracuda take the ice, on Friday November 23rd. Puck drop will be 6:05 PM on Friday, the coverage can be heard online via AHLTV.com and on the Sharks + SAP Center App.