Barracuda snap two-game losing streak thanks to Danny O’Regan

Stars 2 - Barracuda 1, SO

San Jose’s long winning streak finally came to an end as the team took their 14-game win streak back “home” against Texas. Well, kind of, they hosted the Stars at Solar4America Ice at because Bon Jovi was playing at the SAP center the same night.

It was also the Barracudas’ first game without recently traded forward Nikolay Goldobin. This was probably the best game I have seen the Stars play this year as they were able to get out to an early lead and keep the high powered Barracuda offense off the board until the third period. Ryan Carpenter (9) scored for the Barracuda at 10:32 of the third period to force overtime but the Barracuda would fall in the shootout. The streak was over but they still earned a point. The goaltenders were the stars of this game

Heat 4 - Barracuda 2

The Barracuda traveled to Stockton looking to get their game back on track Saturday. Things started well enough as John McCarthy (15) opened the scoring just 3:45 into the game with assists from Heed (33) and Carpenter (20). The lead was short lived however as Matt Frattin responded for the Heat, beating Mantas Armalis on the Heat’s first shot on goal.

The Barracuda piled up shots in the second period but could not find an answer for Heat goaltender David Rittich. While the Barracuda got plenty of shots on goal their defensive game was one of their worst of the year and a turnover led to a break for Andrew Mangiapane and the Heat led 2-1 after the second period despite being outshot 32-14.

Everything continued to go downhill in the third period as the Heat added to their lead early in the third with a goal from Austin Carroll. Mark Jankowski added an empty netter near the end of the period.

Rourke Chartier scored at 19:22, but it was too little, too late and the Barracuda fell in their second straight game. Many Barracuda players had games to forget in this one. Timo Meier was invisible for large stretches of the game unless he was turning over a puck and Mirco Mueller was frankly awful.

Mantas Armalis allowed three goals on 20 shots while Heat goalie Rittich saved 43 of the 45 shots he faced. It was quite the rough game penalty wise as the teams combined for 76 penalty minutes.

Barracuda 4 - Gulls 3 F/OT

The Barracuda returned to SAP Center to face a red-hot San Diego Gulls team just as it appeared the ‘Cuda were cooling down. Troy Grosenick returned to the Barracuda net to try and right the ship but the Gulls struck first less than a minute into the period on a Corey Tropp shot.

Barclay Goodrow (17) responded for the Barracuda at 6:50 of the first period with assists going to Michael Brodzinski (3) and Dan Kelly (4). That was the lone bright spot in a period that the Gulls’ dominated. Shea Theodore put the Gulls back on top before the period ended on a nice breakaway goal. Seriously, how is this guy still in the AHL?

The second period was more of the same. Sam Carrick added to the Gulls lead and the Barracuda have not looked worse at any point of the season. San Jose didn’t generate any quality chances, the offense was out of sync and the defense was definitely missing Joakim Ryan, who had been called up to the Sharks prior to the game.

At the end of the second period, the score was 3-1 and the shots on goal were 24-10 in favor of the Gulls. The first half of the third period gave the impression that the Barracuda losing streak would continue. However, the second half of the period the Barracuda finally looked like the team that had just won 14 games in a row.

Rourke Chartier (13) pulled the Barracuda within one with assists coming from Buddy Robinson (9) and Mirco Mueller (13) at 17:09. The Barracuda pressure would continue and Danny O’Regan (17), who had been pretty quiet the last few games scored to tie the game with less than a minute left in the period to force overtime. The assists on the O’Regan goal were from Adam Helewka (8) and Ryan Carpenter (21).

The Barracuda, riding a wave of momentum, pulled out the victory in overtime thanks to O’Regan (18). He scored his second of the game to move the ‘Cuda past the Gulls.

He capitalized on a turnover and a pass from Adam Helewka (9) and Mirco Mueller (14). After being outshot heavily in the first two periods the Barracuda outshot the Gulls 19-5 through the third and overtime.

Notes:

• Despite their recent skid, the Barracuda maintain their league lead with a .716 points percentage.
• The Barracuda power play was 1/9 over the last three games.
• The Barracuda penalty kill was 7/9 over the last three games.
• The Barracuda will now travel to San Diego to face the Gulls on Wednesday, return to SAP Center on Saturday to host the Grand Rapids Griffins (37-16-3) before hosting the Gulls again Sunday.