April 11, 2025, was a huge milestone for the San Jose Barracuda as the team clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, ending a nine-year postseason drought.
The last time the Barracuda participated in the playoffs was the 2015-16 season, where the team advanced to the second round before being eliminated by the Ontario Reign. Since then, the team has undergone various transformations, including changes in coaching staff and player rosters, striving to rebuild and develop a competitive team. This year, all that was reflected onto this new and improved playoff team.
First Period
And then it was off to the races … just not the scoring kind.
Both teams traded shots in the first period. Reign goaltender Phoenix Copely was not letting any in.
PHEONIX COPLEY 😱@TheAHL | @ontarioreign | @LAKings | @USHL #AHL #CalderCup #ReignTrain #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/c17ho5tSNY
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) April 25, 2025
Neither was Barracuda goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. He was the definition of calm in this period. The highlight? Back-to-back stops late in the period had us wondering if Asky even blinks.
A pair of penalties per side added some spice, but the penalty killing units held firm. The first period ended 0-0, with the vibes high and the goals untouched.
Second Period
San Jose turned up the volume with zone time and 12 shots on net in the second period, including solid looks from Jack Thompson, Colin White and Joey Keane. Copley did hold firm, however.
Ontario had chances of its own, including a dangerous rebound chance from Jack Studnicka, but Askaraov was not budging. He ended the period with 13 saves.
A couple of penalties traded (again), but still no scoring. At this point, it felt like something had to give.
Spoiler: It did.
Third Period
This period belonged to the Barracuda.
After killing off a double minor from Zack Ostapchuk early in the third, San Jose finally broke through. At 7:20, Pavol Regenda capitalized on a smooth setup from Ethan Frisch and Luca Cagnoni, snapping a shot past Copley for the 1-0 lead.
Just over a minute later, Ontario put the ‘Cuda on the power play on a holding call. San Jose didn’t waste it. Filip Bystedt, buzzing all game, buried a wrister to double the lead.
The Reign tried to respond, pulling Copley multiple times. Askarov didn’t budge. He turned aside 32 shots for a well-earned shutout in this playoff game.
Sticking to the plan
This game wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t flashy. It was a grind-it-out, goalie-dominated chess match. The Barracuda tightened up defensively and came in clutch when it mattered most.
Pavol Regenda said it best postgame when he described the Barracuda’s mindset heading into the third period.
“We just stick with our plan… We’ve been patient…and then we finally broke it,” said Regenda.
Midway through the third period of a scoreless grindfest, it was Regenda who found open ice and buried a clean wrister past Pheonix Copley at 7:20 to give the Barracuda a 1-0 lead. For Regenda, it wasn’t about personal glory.
“Everybody from the start just sacrifices for a team and plays a team game,” Regenda said.
Regenda’s goal came off a smart offensive setup from Ethan Frisch and Luca Cagnoni, both picking up assists on the play. But it was Regenda’s poise that turned effort into a lead.
“We’ve been just settling into each other. No, just play smart. Don’t panic,” Regenda added. “I feel like we control the game.”
McCarthy: Control and Energy
Head coach John McCarthy has seen his team grow through adversity this season, and last night’s 2–0 win over the Ontario Reign was a product of that
“First period was pretty boring,” McCarthy said. “Second period opened up a little bit. Third period, I thought we really played well. That was very tight. You know, controlled most of the third period.”
That word “controlled” defined the Barracuda’s approach. McCarthy emphasized the team’s energy and maturity as keys to this win.
“I thought we played well. Played with passion. We held our composure for the most part,” he said. “So I want the same thing. Energy.”
From structure to sacrifice, McCarthy’s Barracuda played like a team that’s not just happy to be in the playoffs, but ready to make some noise.
Askarov’s shutout performance
With 32 saves and a calm presence in net, Askarov was the backbone of San Jose’s 2–0 playoff-opening victory.
“We played very well today,” Askarov said after the win. “This was the first game in the playoffs. I think they handled [it] very well.”
The Barracuda defense was sharp in front of him, but Askarov’s positioning, rebound control and focus were all on point
“It’s a playoff, whatever. It’s gonna be easier with shots—you still have pretty good focus. This doesn’t matter how many shots, that’s the best time,” he said with a grin.
Askarov’s confidence remained humble and measured, something he’s gained from two previous appearances in the Calder Cup Playoffs. For him, this was just the start.
“It’s kind of a great feeling,” he added. “But it’s only the first step for me.”
If this was step one, the rest of the AHL might want to start watching.
Scoring summary San Jose Barracuda at Ontario Reign April 24, 2025
First Period
No scoring
Second Period
No scoring
Third Period
7:20 SJS Pavol Regenda from Ethan Frisch and Luca Cagnoni
8:39 SJS Filip Bystedt from Colin White and Luca Cagnoni on the power play
