What looked like another slow start for San Jose turned into a highlight reel, fueled by a power-play masterclass and Gabriel Carriere’s glove. The Barracuda flipped the script on Ontario last night at Tech CU Arena, on Tigres Del Mar night, scoring four goals to take a 4–1 win and clinch the team’s spot in the postseason.
First Period
Ontario started the scoring early, just 40 seconds into the game, with a goal by Caleb Jones.
Scott Sabourin was already aggressive, signaling that the Barracuda were here to play this game. The aggression continued to pick up until the ‘Cuda were on the power play after an interference call on Tate Singleton.
The ‘Cuda didn’t score on the power play and spent most of the remaining time trying to get Ontario out of their zone.
From there, it was mostly Ontario keeping the pace. The Reign outshot San Jose 14–7 in the period and looked sharper on puck retrievals, quicker in their transitions and more structured on the forecheck. San Jose tried to push back with a power play but couldn’t generate much against a tight Ontario penalty kill.
Second Period
The second period began with a subtle but important shift in momentum—and it was Sabourin, usually known for his physical game, who got the spark going.
Just over three minutes in, Braden Haché fired a low shot toward the net that was redirected by John Gormley and jammed home by Sabourin. Gormley picked up his first AHL point with the assist.
That tally seemed to unlock a different gear. The forecheck became more aggressive, breakouts smoother and the power play started to look dangerous, even if it didn’t convert yet. Despite another Ontario man advantage later in the period, San Jose’s penalty kill held, with Carriere continuing to erase opportunities for the Reign.
Danil Gushchin had a couple of standout shifts, generating three shots in the period and narrowly missing on a wraparound attempt that had Ontario goaltender Pheonix Copley scrambling.
Third Period
The third period belonged to Pavol Regenda and Gushchin. The power play looked incredible.
After Jones was called for high-sticking at 4:34, San Jose didn’t waste time. Gushchin zipped a perfect pass through the seam to Regenda, who one-timed a rocket past Copley just 16 seconds into the power play. It was Regenda’s 12th goal of the season and his first of two last night.
Carriere continued to shut the door, making several key saves as Ontario tried to respond. San Jose’s transition game opened up, and at 11:07, Gushchin got rewarded for his effort. After a puck popped out to the slot following a failed Ontario clear, he snapped a shot in for his 27th of the year.
More physical plays followed, with multiple players exchanging roughing minors after a scrum in front of the Barracuda net at 16:31. That sequence ended up putting San Jose back on the power play.
This time, it was Regenda again. Positioned at the left circle, he took the puck from Gushchin and buried it top-shelf for his second power-play goal of the game and 13th of the season. Ontario had no answer for the Gushchin and Regenda connection
Meanwhile, Carriere stayed locked in until the final whistle, finishing with 31 saves on 32 shots and shutting Ontario out for the final 59:24 of game time.
Guschin and Regenda on their star power
Gushchin and Regenda were the difference-makers in the Barracuda’s victory, combining for three goals and five points. After the game, both reflected on their roles and the team’s drive toward the playoffs.
Gushchin, who registered a goal and two assists, kept his focus on the bigger picture.
“Just team game, you know. Hockey game and driving the puck,” he said.
He also praised the team’s growth.
“I like how the team starts winning the games. My third year, and I’m so excited,” said Gushchin.
Regenda matched Gushchin’s production with two goals, both on the power play. He reflected on the first, set up by Gushchin.
“First one was just a tip from Gush … I just try to stand there, do work for him. Sometimes it pays off for me,” said Regenda.
On the second, he credited Gushchin’s setup.
“I kind of did a good move … and it worked out,” said Regenda.
Regenda also acknowledged the importance of the win, knowing it clinched a crucial playoff spot.
“We knew if we win the game, we were gonna clinch. That was really important for us,” said Regenda.
Together, the duo delivered in a big way, and with the playoffs approaching, they’re clearly clicking at the right time.
Sabourin on his game
Sabourin doesn’t need to be on the scoresheet every night to make an impact, but when he is, it’s a bonus.
“It’s great anytime I can start contributing offensively. It’s obviously a bonus,” Sabourin said. “I’m out there to help manage the game and the energy. I think our line does a good job of that. And lately, we’ve been finding ways to score gritty goals, which I think is going to be the formula in the playoffs.”
It’s exactly the kind of physical, honest hockey that Sabourin has built his game around and that’s what makes his leadership even more valuable as the intensity ratchets up.
When asked what details still need tightening, Sabourin pointed to the little things.
“I think, you know, defensively, sometimes there’s some lapses,” he admitted. “Shift length is going to be really important—it’s crucial coming down this stretch. Sometimes we struggle with that.”
He’s also holding himself accountable.
“If I’m able to lead by example and change in the O-zone, it’s one of those things that’s contagious. Then hopefully the rest of the guys start feeding off it, and next thing you know we’re winning games and we’re heading in the right direction,” said Sabourin.
Coach McCarthy leads the ‘Cuda to playoffs
Head coach John McCarthy acknowledged both the early challenges and the payoff in the third period.
“I thought it was slightly stagnant the first few,” McCarthy admitted. “We didn’t get a lot of good looks. We didn’t get set up.”
With Andrew Poturalski out of the lineup, both units saw some reshuffling, and a bit of chemistry was still in progress. Still, when crunch time came, the adjustments clicked.
“Two huge goals,” McCarthy emphasized. “It’s come through all year, and tonight was no different.”
McCarthy’s message going into the playoffs was simple: clean puck management.
“When we do it, we’re a really good team,” he said. “When we want to push the envelope and get off script, that’s when other teams get back in games. We’ve got to commit to doing it.”
It’s a familiar theme as postseason hockey approaches—structure, discipline and trust in the system. On Friday night, it all came together at the right time.
Scoring summary Ontario Reign at San Jose Barracuda April 11, 2025
First Period
0:36 ONT Caleb Jones from Jack Studnicka and Andre Lee
Second Period
3:32 SJ Scott Sabourin from Braden Haché and John Gormley
Third Period
4:50 SJ Pavol Regenda from Danil Gushchin and Filip Bystedt on the power play
7:43 SJ Danil Gushchin from Jimmy Schuldt
11:07 SJ Pavol Regenda from Danil Gushchin on the power play
