BARRACUDA FADE AFTER FAST START, FALL 6-3 TO CANUCKS
Dec 21, 2022Abbotsford, B.C. - The San Jose Barracuda (13-15-0-1) twice led in the first period on Wednesday at Abbotsford Centre (16-9-1-1) but would give up four unanswered goals after that point and eventually fall 6-3 to the Abbotsford Canucks (16-9-1-1).
In the first, Andrew Agozzino (10) would get things started as he tipped in a Darren Brady point-shot to give the Barracuda a 1-0 lead, marking the first time in 14 games in which the Barracuda would score first. But then, Phil Di Giuseppe (5) would make it back-to-back games with a goal, tying it up at 1-1 on a two-on-one. The Barracuda would recapture its lead when Max Veronneau (1) slid in a rebound for his first goal in the AHL since 2019.
Despite multiple chances in the second, the Barracuda could not extend its lead, and at 14:42, Justin Dowling (6) would score in-tight after the Barracuda failed to clear their own end. Then a minute and seven seconds later, Will Lockwood (12) would walk around a Barracuda defender and go upstairs on Eetu Makiniemi to give the Canucks their first lead at 3-2.
In the third, Jack Rathbone (1) would make it 4-2 with a power play goal from the right point at 4:36, and then, Chase Wouters (3) would net an empty-netter at 6:15. At 18:57 Danil Gushchin (8) would finally stop the bleeding by snapping a shot top-shelf short-side on Collin Delia while on the PP. But Linus Karlsson (8) would score again on the empty-net to secure the 6-3 win.
Makiniemi (6-7-1) suffered the loss, allowing four goals on 23 shots, while Delia (6-3-0) picked up the win, making 31 saves on 34 shots.
The Barracuda return home to Tech CU Arena on Dec. 27 to take on the Bakersfield Condors (5 pm.m.) following the holiday break. Tickets start at just $13 at SJBarracuda.com and you can listen to the broadcast at SJBarracuda.com/listen, the Sharks+SAP Center App, and watch on AHLTV.com.