Gameday: Barracuda at Condors
Oct 7, 2022SAN JOSE BARRACUDA (0-0-0-0) @ BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (0-0-0-0)
Fri., Oct. 7, 2022 – Mechanics Bank Arena (7 p.m.)
Barracuda Training Camp Roster • Condors Training Camp Roster
The San Jose Barracuda drop the puck on its two-game exhibition schedule with the first of a home-and-road against the Bakersfield Condors on Friday at Mechanics Bank Arena. A year ago, the Barracuda went 3-6-1 against the Oilers top affiliate and 0-4-1-0 in Bakersfield.
The Barracuda finished 2021-22 last in the AHL with a record of 20-42-4-2 -- 46 points, getting left out of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Despite its head coach Jay Woodcroft getting called up to the NHL in the middle of the season, the Condors finished fourth in the Pacific Division (37-21-5-5 -- 84 points), reaching the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Friday will begin a new coaching era for both teams as John McCarthy took over the Barracuda's head coaching duties this offseason while Colin Chaulk was stripped of his interim tag with the Condors after taking over for Woodcroft last year. McCarthy, a former Barracdua player, replaces Roy Sommer, who has since become the head coach of the San Diego Gulls. Chaulk guided the Condors to a 19-12-3 record following Woodcroft’s departure and led the Bako to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs with a first round sweep of the Abbotsford Canucks.
After rolling out the AHL’s youngest roster a year ago, the Barracuda will have a more balanced attack this year as the Sharks signed proven AHL sniper Andrew Agozzino to a two-year, two-way contract this offseason and inked Swedish Hockey League MVP Max Veronneau to a one-year ticket. Additionally, the Sharks added former Winnipeg Jets/Manitoba Moose CJ Suess and the Barracuda added Luke Johnson, and Derreck Pouliout to provide a veteran boost to the lineup.