BARRACUDA EARN POINT IN OVERTIME LOSS AT TUCSON
Mar 23, 2019Tucson, AZ - The San Jose Barracuda (32-19-3-4) hadn't scored within the Tucson Convention Center since March 21, 2018, before scoring a pair in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Tucson Roadrunners (29-23-5-2) (Arizona Coyotes) on Saturday night.
After Hudson Fasching was called for high-sticking at 6:59, the Barracuda waited just seven seconds into the power-play to open up the scoring as Dylan Gambrell(17) poked in a loose puck along the right side. After failing to score on its second man-advantage of the first period, the Barracuda would give up the equalizer at full strength as Jeremy Gregoire gained the offensive-line before threading a pass to Lane Pederson (17) in the slot and Pederson snapped a shot just inside the far post at 17:54 to tie the score up at 1-1.
In the second period, the Barracuda would take their lead back as John McCarthy(11) lifted a short-side backhander past Adin Hill at 2:16. The shorty was San Jose's fifth of the year and the fifth for McCarthy as a member of the Barracuda, the most by any player in the club's four-year history. After failing to score on its first two power-plays, Pederson (19) received a cross-ice pass from Brayden Burke and beat Josef Korenar as he moved in all alone from the right point at 11:21 to even the score at 2-2.
In the third, the Barracuda were badly outshot 13-to-four but weathered the storm and forced overtime. But in the extra session, Pederson (19) would cap off his first pro hat-trick as he ripped in a shot from the left flank at the 59-second mark. With the win, Tucson inched within six points of both the Barracuda and Colorado Eagles for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division.
Hill made 20 saves in the win (12-12-3) while Korenar (20-8-2) suffered the hard-luck loss after giving up three goals on 33 shots.
San Jose will be back in action on Sunday in Tucson for the final game on the eight-game season series. Sunday's puck drop is set for 4:05 PM and you can follow both games on 1220 KDOW, The Sharks + SAP Center App, or at watchtheahl.com, with pregame coverage kicking off at 3:35 PM. The Barracuda wrap up its three-game road trip in San Diego (Anaheim Ducks) on Wednesday before returning home for one game at 7:00 PM on Friday, March 29th, when they play host to the Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings).
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