Gameday: Barracuda at Wild
Oct 14, 2022
GAME #1
SAN JOSE BARRACUDA (0-0-0-0) @ IOWA WILD (0-0-0-0)
Fri., Oct. 14, 2022 – Wells Fargo Arena (5 p.m.)
Barracuda Roster • Wild Roster
LISTEN LIVE
MATCHUP
Des Moines - The Barracuda head into the AHL’s opening night with a new look throughout the organization. With back-to-back games slated against the Iowa Wild at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, the Barracuda are looking to have a positive start to the season after finishing the 2021-22 season with 15 consecutive losses.
The Barracuda have not seen the Wild since March 4, 2020, defeating the team from Iowa 5-1 at home. In fact, that season the Barracuda went 3-0-1 against the Wild.
STRAIGHT FROM SWEDEN…
Of course, both teams have gone through a number of changes since 2020. For the WIld, one of the players to keep an eye on is 19-year-old netminder Jesper Wallstedt. Through 22 games in the SHL with Luleå HF, Wallstedt posted a .918 SV% and a 1.98 GAA. Representing Sweden at the World Junior Championship in August, Wallstedt took home a bronze medal and was named the tournament’s top goaltender after a five-game performance, boasting a .944 SV% and a 1.62 GAA.
The Barracuda enter opening night with a trio SHL standouts in Strauss Mann, Max Véronneau, and William Eklund. Mann finished the 2021-22 SHL regular season with a .924 SV% and a 2.19 GAA through 22 games for Skellefteå AIK while Véronneau picked up 60 points in 51 games for Leksands IF. Named the SHL’s most valuable player, three of Véronneau’s points came in four games against Wallstedt’s Luleå HF. Eklund appeared in 29 games with Djurgårdens IF, contributing 14 points, and comes into the season as one of the top prospects in the San Jose Sharks system.
LOOKING FOR…
After showcasing one of the league’s top power plays last season, the Barracuda will look to continue to find success on the man advantage but will be looking to add offensive firepower at even strength as the new season opens.
Giving up 11 power plays to the Bakersfield Condors in two preseason games, the Barracuda will be looking to stay out of the box while continuing to find success while shorthanded, allowing just two goals on 11 Condors chances.
GAME DATE/TIME
- Friday, October 14, 2022
- Puck Drop is set for 5:00 p.m. PT
LOCATION
- Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines, IA)
WATCH ON MOBILE
Live Streams available on AHL TV:
Play-by-play: Nicholas Nollenberger
LISTEN ON RADIO
Barracuda hockey radio can be heard on here.
*stream will not be available until close to gametime