SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2026) – Behind a three-point performance from Donavan Houle (one goal, two assists) and three assists from captain Jimmy Huntington, the San Jose Barracuda (2-4-0-0) snapped a three-game losing streak with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Calgary Wranglers (4-2-0-0) on Friday night at Tech CU Arena. Houle scored the game-winning goal early in the third period, while Thomas Messineo added a goal and an assist and Andre Gasseau found the back of the net for the third time in two games.

The Wranglers wasted little time opening the scoring, as Axel Hurtig's shot from the point deflected off the leg of Leo Sahlin Wallenius and into the net just 20 seconds into the game. San Jose responded 33 seconds later when Messineo scored his second goal of the season at the 53-second mark, cutting to the net before finishing with a forehand-to-backhand move. Calgary regained the lead at 2:46 on William Strömgren's first goal of the season, but the Barracuda answered just 22 seconds later when Brett Leason scored on the power play to even the score at 2-2. San Jose grabbed its first lead of the night at 10:39 when Filip Bystedt buried his fourth goal of the season, sending the Barracuda into the first intermission with a 3-2 advantage.

Calgary battled back in the second period behind a pair of goals from Ben Jones. Jones tied the game at 6:55 with his fifth goal of the season before striking again shorthanded at 8:24, giving the Wranglers a 4-3 lead. The Barracuda answered at 14:42 when Gasseau sniped his fourth goal of the season from the right circle. The goal marked Gasseau's third in two games after scoring twice against Calgary on Wednesday morning, and the teams entered the final period tied 4-4.

San Jose reclaimed the lead for good at 5:59 of the third period when Houle worked his way to the middle of the ice and beat Arsenii Sergeev over the blocker for his first goal of the season. The Barracuda held off Calgary's late push, including a Wranglers power play midway through the final frame and an extra-attacker opportunity in the closing minutes, to secure their second victory of the season.

Eric Comrie earned his first win of the season, stopping 26 of 30 shots, while Sergeev made 28 saves on 33 shots. San Jose outshot the Wranglers 33-30 and finished 1-for-5 on the power play while killing off all three Calgary opportunities.

Houle was named the game's first star after recording the first three-point performance of his AHL career, while Jones claimed second-star honors with two goals. Huntington was named the third star after collecting three assists, giving him seven points (three goals, four assists) through six games and six points (two goals, four assists) over his last two contests.

The victory snapped San Jose's three-game losing streak and gave the Barracuda a split of their two-game series against the Wranglers after suffering a 6-4 loss on Wednesday morning.

BOX SCORE

After opening the 2026-27 season with six consecutive home games, the Barracuda will hit the road for the first time this season next Friday, Oct. 23 as they travel to Palm Desert to take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds (7 p.m.). San Jose will look to build momentum away from Tech CU Arena before returning home on Wednesday, Oct. 28 to face the Abbotsford Canucks. For tickets, go to SJBarracuda.com.