SAN JOSE DOOMED BY STOCKTON'S HOT START, FALL 5-2
Apr 8, 2017
SAN JOSE, CALIF. - The San Jose Barracuda (42-15-2-5) allowed four first-period goals on Saturday night and couldn't comeback, falling to the Stockton Heat (33-25-4-2), 5-2, at Stockton Arena.
Despite the loss, San Jose clinched the Pacific Division title, John Chick Trophy, after San Diego's 3-1 loss in Ontario.
In the first, San Jose and Stockton combined for 86 penalty minutes, but the Heat found the offense, scoring four opening-period goals. Mikkel Aagaard (4) opened the scoring at 6:22 as he jammed a loose puck along the right post past Clarke Saunders' left pad. 17 seconds later, Hunter Shinkaruk (14) ripped a short-side shot past Saunders to give Stockton a 2-0 lead at 6:39. After San Jose turned over the puck in their end, Adam Ollas Mattsson (1) ripped home his first AHL goal from the slot at 11:30. Adam Helewka (14) cut into Stockton's advantage with a wrister from the right wing at 17:57, but Andrew Mangiapane (18) extended the Heat's lead back to three at 17:57 on the power play.
In his AHL debut, Colby McAuley dropped a puck for Colin Blackwell (4) as he entered the attacking zone and Blackwell fired a shot far-side at 9:44 to cut the lead down to 4-2.
In the third, Shinkaruk (15) put the game out of reach with his second of the game on a two-on-one at 3:50.
Saunders (1-1) took the loss after allowing five goals on 27 shots while Gillies earned the victory (18-14-4) after making 31 saves on 33 shots.
The Barracuda are back in action on Sunday, April 9 (3:00 PM) as they take on the Stockton Heat at SAP Center for the final matchup of 12. All the action can be heard on AM 1220 KDOW, www.kdow.biz and www.ahllive.com. Tickets are available at the SAP Center Box Office, at 408-999-5757, or online at SJBarracuda.com/tickets.
Goal Scorers:
SJ: A. Helewka (14), C. Blackwell (4)
STK: M. Aagaard (4), H. Shinkaruk (14), A. Ollas Mattsson (1), A. Mangiapane (18), H. Shinkaruk (15)
Goaltenders:
SJ: C. Saunders - L (22/27)
STK: J. Gillies - W (31/33)
BARRACUDA Power Play: (0/5)
BARRACUDA Penalty Kill: (2/3)
Three Stars:
1. STK - H. Shinkaruk
2. STK - L. Vey
3. STK - A. Ollas Mattsson
BOX SCORE