SAN JOSE BARRACUDA (19-11-0-2, 40 pts.) vs BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (13-12-3-1, 30 pts.)

FRI, JAN. 10 | 7:30 P.M. | TECH CU ARENA | SAN JOSE, CA

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Bak and Forth: The Barracuda close out their three-game homestand on Friday as they host the Bakersfield Condors at Tech CU Arena for the first game of a home and home. The Condors dealt the Barracuda back-to-back losses on Dec. 20 (@BAK, 0-2 L) and Dec. 21 (@SJ, 2-4 L) before the Christmas break. The Barracuda are coming off a 4-3 win over the Colorado Eagles on Sunday. Entering Friday, the Barracuda boast the AHL’s third-best home winning percentage at .750 (11-3-0-2) and are 10 points ahead of the Condors in the Pacific Division. Bakersfield was handed a 4-1 loss at Henderson on Sunday, but before that, they had won six of seven.

Sunday Success: After a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Eagles on Saturday, the Barracuda turned around on Sunday and picked up a 4-3 win. SJ scored a season-high three first-period goals on Sunday at Tech CU Arena and managed to hold off the Colorado Eagles  for a 4-3 win. With the victory, Georgi Romanov (8-5-1) is now three games above .500 for the first time this year. Justin Bailey, Lucas Vanroboys, Thomas Bordeleau, and Donavan Houle scored in the win.

Hot Pot: Barracuda forward Andrew Poturalksi was named to his third AHL All-Star Classic on Wednesday. Among AHL skaters, the ninth-year pro is T-third points (33) and power-play goals (6), T-fourth in assists (20) and T-eighth in goals (13). Over his last nine games, he has four goals and eight assists. The All-Star festivities which will be held in Coachella Valley on Feb. 2-3, will be a homecoming for the former Firebird.

All-Star Asky: Current Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov was named to his third AHL All-Star Classic in three years on Wednesday. In 14 games for the Barracuda this season he has gone 9-4-1, with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .938 save percentage, and three shutouts. Among AHL backstops he is first in save percentage, T-second in shutouts, and fifth in goals-against average. Askarov began his Barracuda career by collecting consecutive shutouts and went 5-0 with a 1.20 GAA and .959 SV% in October, earning AHL Goaltender of the Month honors. In seven games with the Sharks, the 22-year-old is 3-2-2, with a 2.30 GAA and .923 SV%.

Rookies Rocking: 40 of the Barracuda’s 106 goals (38%) this season have been scored by rookies. On Sunday, two of the Barracuda’s tallies came off the stick of a first-year pro (Lucas Vanroboys, Donavan Houle).

Sparking Special Teams: The Barracuda rank first in the AHL on the penalty kill (87.5%) entering Friday and T-third in shorthanded goals. Additionally, the Barracuda boast the league’s fourth-best power play (21.3%) and are T-eighth (120) in penalties drawn.

Carlsson Cooking: Among league defenders, Barracuda rearguard Lucas Carlsson is T-third in goals (7) and T-second in power-play goals (4). The veteran blueliner has surpassed his power-play totals from a year ago.

Luca Lightning: Despite being held off the scoresheet in the last six games, rookie defenseman Luca Cagnoni ranks T-fifth among AHL defenders in points (22), T-second in goals (8), T-seventh in helpers (14), T-second in power-play goals (4), second in power-play assists (9), and second in power-play points (13). Among all skaters, he is T-second in PPP and T-third in PPA. Among rookies, he is T-sixth in points, T-fifth in assists, T-sixth in goals, first in PPA, PPP, and T-second in PPG.

Cuda Killer: Condors captain Seth Griffith has 39 points (20+19=39) in 35 career games versus the Barracuda. The 12th-year pro is in his fifth season with the Bakersfield. Entering Friday, Griffith is pacing the Condors in points (25), goals (10), assists (15), points-per-game (.89), shooting percentage (29.4%), and T-first in power-play assists (5).