BARRACUDA SCORE THREE UNANSWERED, TOP TUCSON 4-2
Feb 14, 2018SAN JOSE, CA - The San Jose Barracuda (22-19-2-3) brought down the Tucson Roadrunners (27-15-2-0) Wednesday at SAP Center, scoring two unanswered goals in the final period to take the 4-2 victory in the last of a five-game home stand.
The Roadrunners opened up the scoring at 12:23 of the first when Lawson Crouse delivered a cross-ice feed to Mike Sislo (15) who bounced a wrister off the left post and in to make it 1-0. Adam Helewka would help tie the score as he forced a Tucson turnover in the offensive zone and then pushed the puck up-ice to an uncovered Emerson Clark (6) who fired a shot past Hunter Miska from between the circles to even the score at 1-1 through the first twenty minutes of play.
After sixteen minutes of scoreless action to start the second period, Tucson regained the lead with a one-timer from Lane Pederson (8) on the power play with 3:46 remaining. But once again, the Barracuda would answer, this time with a shot from Rudolfs Balcers (13) as he collected a pass from Tim Heed on his right skate down the right wing and then snapped a shot over a sprawled out Tucson defender and past Miska.
The Barracuda took control in the final period, securing the lead with a power play goal from Balcers (14) who snaked through the slot and took advantage of a screeed Miska from teammate Alex True to make it 3-2 at the 8:26 mark . After missing San Jose’s last 30 games, Rourke Chartier (3) would extend his teams lead as he collected the puck near the left point in the offensive zone, worked his way around a defender and rocketed a shot off the left post and in, securing the 4-2 win.
Barracuda netminder Troy Grosenick (6-8-3) earned the victory by making 37 saves on 39 shots. Tucson’s Miska (15-5-0) suffered the loss, allowing four goals on 26 shots.
The Barracuda kick off a four-game road trip Friday night in Stockton in the first of a weekend series against the Heat. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Listen live on AM 1220 KDOW or on the all-new Sharks + SAP Center App.
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