NOLLY'S NOTES - BLOG #42
Oct 17, 2023Welcome to the new hockey season, Cuda Country. After a wait of nearly six months, the Barracuda returned to the ice on Friday night at Tech CU Arena to kick off the year by hosting the Rockford IceHogs. Prior to this matchup, the IceHogs and Barracuda hadn't faced each other since the 2017-18 season, making it only the fifth meeting between these two teams. Going into the weekend, the Barracuda had a 1-3 record against Chicago's top affiliate and were winless in two games in San Jose.
It's interesting to note that the Barracuda's inaugural game on September 9, 2015, was against the IceHogs. Michael Haley scored the team's first goal, and the current head coach, John McCarthy, tied for the team lead in shots with four. However, the Barracuda fell short, losing 4-2. Notably, Ryan Carpenter also played in that game and managed to record three shots.
This past Friday marked only the third time in the team's nine-year history that they began a season at home, and it was their first home opener at Tech CU Arena. The last time they started a season at home was in 2018-19. In 2020-21, during the COVID-shortened season, the Barracuda played two games in Tucson against the Roadrunners but were considered the home team due to local restrictions preventing them from playing in the Bay Area. That situation was a far cry from a traditional home opener.
With limited practice and early chemistry, the Barracuda looked like a team still getting used to each other. From the start, the IceHogs played on their toes and were able to maintain that energy throughout the game, winning big 7-2. The Barracuda's troubles were exacerbated by major penalties that widened the gap. After taking a minor penalty that led to Rockford's opening goal, forward Ozzy Wiesblatt received a match penalty for an illegal check to the head, resulting in two Rockford goals during the ensuing five-minute power play. By then, the game was effectively over. Rockford sealed the deal by scoring three more times in a four-minute span in the third period, bringing the score to 7-1 at the time.
In light of this performance, it raised the question of what truly defines a team's identity: losing 7-2 on opening night at home or bouncing back less than 24 hours later to deliver the same 7-2 result in their favor? The latter, I would argue.
Saturday's game was the complete opposite of the previous night. The Barracuda dominated, putting 49 shots on net, including 24 on goal in the second period, setting a franchise record for shots in a single home period. Justin Bailey (one goal, three assists), Cole Cassels (one goals, one assist), and Ryan Carpenter (two goals) all contributed multiple points, while Georgi Romanov made 26 saves in his AHL debut, securing a 7-2 victory. Rookie forward Ethan Cardwell started the scoring and Tanner Kaspick and Oskar Lindblom also found the net. A year ago, the Barracuda scored seven goals in a game just once and it took all the way until game 49 to do it.
The Barracuda will be off until Friday when they head to Henderson for a two-game series against the 2-0 Silver Knights, who appear to be a much improved team this year compared to the previous season when they missed the playoffs. The Knights boast 3,766 games of AHL experience, ranking ninth in the league. Of those games, 693 belong to Adam Cracknell, who is entering his 15th year in the league in 2023-24 and is now in the Pacific Division with his fourth different team (San Diego in 2018-19, Bakersfield from 2020-22, Tucson in 2022-23). In his career, the 38-year-old has amassed 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 34 games against the Barracuda. Another notable addition to the Knights this offseason is Tyler Benson, Cracknell's former teammate with the Bakersfield Condors, who has 37 points (10 goals, 27 assists) in 38 games against the Barracuda.
Last season, the Cuda went 6-1-0-1 record against the Knights, including a 2-1-0-1 record at the Dollar Loan Center. Prior to that season, they had been winless in Las Vegas/Henderson, with a 0-10 lifetime record in both playoffs and the regular season. So, last season's performance was a significant turnaround in their rivalry.
Broadcast Announcements
The Barracuda made a significant announcement before Friday's game, unveiling their broadcast schedule for the 2023-24 season. The most notable news is that it will feature three games on NBC Sports California, the flagship TV station of the Sharks. This marks a historic moment for the Barracuda, as it's the first time the team will have games televised. NBC Sports California has been a strong supporter of the Barracuda and their brand, making the partnership a natural fit. I'm beyond proud to be able to call these games and can’t wait to get going.
If you tuned in or watched Friday's game on the Sharks Audio Network or AHL TV, you might have recognized a familiar voice on the broadcast with me. Indeed, the esteemed Drew Remenda will be providing color commentary for select Barracuda broadcasts throughout the season, representing a significant addition to our compact yet robust broadcast team. Drew, as we all know, is a legendary figure in the team’s history. Having Drew’s knowledge and insight on our broadcasts this year is an absolute honor.
Additionally, I'll be talking extensively about the Barracuda this season on the Sharks' broadcasts. NBC has graciously invited me on seven different occasions to join Brodie Brazil as an analyst for the pre-game, intermission, and post-game shows. This is a tremendous privilege that will allow myself to continue spread the word about our team and product.
Tiger of the Sea next Saturday
If you haven’t been on the Barracuda website in the last 24 hours, you might have missed some changes. The Tigres Del Mar identity switch has begun.
The Barracuda are celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Heritage on three separate occasions during the 2023-24 season, with the first date coming up next Sat., Oct. 28 against the Coachella Valley Firebird (6 p.m.). The Barracuda will completely rebrand for the three games, including on the team’s website, social channels, in-arena and on the ice when they wear specialty Tigres Del Mar uniforms.
Saturday’s game will feature a pregame block party presented by La Patrona Cocina Mexicana from 3-5:30 p.m. in the East Lot (next to the Gray Rink) of Tech CU Arena that will include live music, food and beverage options, lowriders, face painters, luchador wrestlers from Pro Wrestling Revolution and more.
In addition to the block party, Telemundo 48 Area De La Bahia talent will be making cameo appearances with PA announcer Amelia Schimmel, in-arena host Aaron Fonseca and myself.
The first 1,000 fans in the building for each game will receive a Tigres Del Mar pin as part of a three-game collectable series. Special three-game shirsey ticket packages are also available and for just $5 you can add a Tigres Del Mar coozie on top of your ticket purchase. For more information about ticket packages, contact your rep by calling (408) 999-5757 or email sales@sjbarracuda.com. Tickets start at just $13 per game. To purchase your individual tickets, click HERE.
Captains
The Barracuda have had just four captains in its nine-year history, and for the time being, it will stay that way. Head coach John McCarthy, the club’s second captain from 2016-20, announced before Friday’s opener that the team will initially roll with five alternate captains (Justin Bailey, Ryan Carpenter, Cole Cassels, Scott Sabourin, and Nathan Todd), with the plan of naming a captain at a later time. Andrew Agozzino, who was traded to the Ducks this summer, served as the team’s captain a year ago.
That will do it for this edition of Nolly’s Notes. A huge thank you to all of you for coming out over the weekend and supporting the team. It was amazing to see how full the building was on opening night. Despite the result, it was a great atmosphere.
Until next time, thanks for reading. Talk to you at 6:30 p.m. in Henderson on Friday.