Special Teams Not Special in Bakersfield
Apr 1, 2016Bakersfield, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (29-23-7-3, 68pts) presented by Barracuda Networks began a six game road trip with a 4-2 loss to the host Bakersfield Condors (28-25-6-2, 64pts) in front 6,283 fans at Rabobank Arena on Friday evening. With the loss, the Barracuda fall behind the Charlotte Checkers for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Ryan Carpenter and Jeremy Morin scored for San Jose while Joakim Ryan added two assists in the loss. Aaron Dell made 20 saves on 23 shots as the Barracuda allowed two power goals, a shorthanded goal, and an empty net goal to Bakersfield. Eetu Laurikainen made 37 saves in net as Bakersfield is now within four points of the Barracuda in the Pacific Division. Game 2 of the Barracuda six game road trip is Saturday at 7:05pm in San Diego vs. the Gulls.
San Jose outshot Bakersfield 13-5 in the first period but was unable to find the back of the net on Eetu Laurikainen. Bakersfield scored the only goal with a shorthanded tally at 18:15 as Rob Klinkhammer (14th) finished a 2-on-1 rush with a terrific shot after a cross the slot pass by JJ Khaira. It was the 11th shorthanded goal of the season for Bakersfield, the 5th against the Barracuda as San Jose trailed 1-0 through 20 minutes of play.
Bakersfield scored twice within 38 seconds midway through the second period with back to back power play goals to go ahead 3-0. Brad Hunt (11th) fired a laser from 45 feet with a two man advantage at 10:16 followed by a wicked shot by Joey LaLeggia (8th) from the left circle at 10:54. The Barracuda finally got on the board at 16:05 as Ryan Carpenter (16th) snapped a quick wrist shot from on top of the left circle that surprised Laurikainen. Shots were 16-15 Bakersfield in the second period as San Jose trailed 3-1 through 40 minutes of play.
Jeremy Morin (15th) got the Barracuda within a goal at 4:38 with a power play goal as he sent a quick backhander from on top of the crease into the net after a nice feed by Ryan Carpenter. San Joe put on a late charge but Bogdan Yakimov (5th) added an empty netter as the Condors held on for the 4-2 victory.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star Ryan Carpenter (1-1-2) 2nd star: Eetu Laurikainen (37 saves, Wins) 1st star: Rob Klinkhammer (1-2-3)….Final shots were 39-24 in favor of San Jose… Eetu Laurikainen (6-9-1) made 37 saves on 39 shots for Bakersfield….Aaron Dell (15-14-5) made 20 saves on 23 shots for San Jose in his season high 5th straight start in net…. Troy Grosenick served as the backup goalie for the Barracuda ….San Jose went 1-for-4 on the power play while Bakersfield went 2-for-6…. Raffi Torres (IR), Danny Doremus (inj), Patrick McNally, Frazer McLaren, and Jon Martin did not dress for the Barracuda… SJ Sharks draft pick Alex Schoenborn (Portland – WHL) made his professional debut for the Barracuda and wore jersey #56….forward Nikita Jevpalovs was reassigned to the Allen Americans on Thursday and had two assists for Allen in their win in Missouri….the Barracuda have now allowed eight shorthanded goals this season; five against the Condors.
Coming up….
On Saturday, the Barracuda continue the six game road trip with a 7:05pm start in San Diego vs. the Gulls (AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks). Coverage begins at 6:35pm on AM 1220 KDOW. Listen to every game live for free on KDOW.biz or AHL Live. Join the game day conversation on Facebook and follow the game on Twitter by following @SJBarracuda.
Season Tickets for the 2016-17 season are on sale now by contacting the Barracuda Office at 408-977-4747 or by crashing the net at www.SJBarracuda.com.
