BARRACUDA EARN POINT, FALL 4-3 IN SHOOTOUT AT BAKERSFIELD

Dec 21, 2017

BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. - Joakim Ryan scored with 7.2 seconds left to force overtime on Thursday in Bakersfield, but the San Jose Barracuda (12-11-0-2) failed to collect the additional point, falling 4-3 in a shootout to the Bakersfield Condors (11-12-3-0) at Rabobank Bank Arena.
 
Bakersfield stormed out of the gates outshooting San Jose ten-to-four to begin the game, but Troy Grosenick stood tall for the Barracuda stopping all 12 shots in the period including a point-blank opportunity from Kyle Platzer at 14:37. After the Condors took back-to-back penalties with under three minutes to play in the first, Rudolfs Balcersbanged home a close-range loose puck for his third goal in his last two games and his team-leading sixth of the season on the five-on-three power play at 18:54.
 
In the second, after San Jose failed to score on an abbreviated five-on-three man advantage, Josh Curry (6) evened the score by backhanding a rebound short side past Troy Grosenick at 2:06. For the third time in four meetings this season, the Barracuda and Condors would head into the final period tied.
 
A minute and 13 seconds into the final period, Bakersfield forced a San Jose turnover below the goal line, and Currie (7) jammed home his second of the game to give the Condors its first lead. At 7:18, Alex True (5) collected a Manny Wiederer pass from below the end line and ripped a shot past Nick Ellis from the low slot. Curry (8) completed the hat-trick on the power play at 17:23 in what looked to be the game winner, but Ryan (1) would tie the game at 19:52 with a seeing-eye shot from the left point.
 
In overtime, San Jose put the only two shots on net, but neither team could end the game in the extra session. In the shootout, Ty Rattie and Joey LaLeggia each scored and the Condors earned the 4-3 win.
 
Ellis made 27 saves in victory (7-6-1), while Grosenick (4-4-2) took the loss after allowing three goals on 40 shots.
 
BOX SCORE

The Barracuda return home on Friday to take on the Texas Stars for Teddy Bear Toss night on Friday, December 22. Fans are encouraged to bring new or lightly used teddy bears with them to the game and when the Barracuda score their first goal fans can toss their bears onto the ice. The bears will be collected and donated to the various organizations in the San Clara County. The Barracuda will also be wearing specialty teddy bear jerseys. For more info click HERE.
 
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