Goodrow’s two goals leads Barracuda to 5-1 win over Heat

When the San Jose Sharks organization unveiled the San Jose Barracuda as their AHL franchise on April 2, Sharks General Manager and Executive Vice President Doug Wilson stated during a conference call that “having our farm team right there in the backyard allows us to make the decision as to whether a player needs a little bit more seasoning or not.”

One of the players a decision was made on was forward Barclay Goodrow, who was reassigned to the Barracuda on Nov. 4 after registering just three assists and averaging slightly over 10-minutes of ice time through 12-games of his sophomore NHL season.

Since that November day, Goodrow has used his time in the AHL as an opportunity to find his identity as well as a confidence builder through more playing minutes. The result has been the blossoming of a professional hockey player as Goodrow has registered 16 points in 17 games with the Barracuda, and has become the team’s leading goal scorer with 11 after scoring two goals in the Barracuda’s 5-1 win over the Stockton Heat (AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames) at the SAP Center on Sunday evening.

The Barracuda, who improved to .500 at home ice and two games above .500 for the first time in their young history with the win, also got goals from forwards Trevor Parkes, Petter Emanuelsson and Bryan Lerg. In addition, forward Ryan Carpenter extended his point streak to five games with two assists, giving him 11-points (1-10-11) in that span, while goaltender Troy Grosenick made 31-saves for his seventh win of the season.

“The 80’s Line” of Parkes, Jeremy Langlois and Nikolay Goldobin got the the Barracuda on the scoreboard at 7:49 of the first period when Parkes capped off a strong shift for the trio by tapping in a centering feed from Langlois for his fifth goal of the season, which Goldobin had the secondary assist on.

Emanuelsson extended the lead to 2-0 at 9:57 when he buried home a rebound from on top of the crease for his fourth goal of the season. Barracuda defenseman Gus Young, who fired the initial shot on net from the left point, and Carpenter, who fed Young from behind the Heat net, had the assists on the goal, which held up as the game winner.

With the Barracuda on a power play early in the second period, Lerg fired a backhanded shot from on top of the crease past both a mad scramble of players in front and Heat goaltender Joni Ortio for his seventh goal of the season. Barracuda defenseman Karl Stollery and Carpenter were credited with the assists on the goal, which was Lerg’s first since Nov. 18.

Goodrow gave the Barracuda a four goal lead at 11:48 with his first goal of the game, 10th goal of the season, off a snap shot from inside the left circle after corralling a cross zone pass from Emanuelsson near the blue line while trailing on the play. Barracuda defenseman Joakim Ryan had the secondary assist on the goal, which ended Ortio’s night in net as he was replaced by backup goaltender Kent Simpson after allowing four goals on 25 shot attempts.

The Heat spoiled Grosenick’s shutout bid nearly five-minutes later at 16:33 when forward Derek Grant scored a power play goal off a rebound from the left side of the crease for this 11th goal of the season.

Goodrow regained the Barracuda’s four goal lead at 3:11 of the third period with a rebound score for his second goal of the game and 11th of the season. Barracuda defensemen Julius Bergman and forward Greger Hanson had the assists on the goal, which slammed the door shut on any hopes the Heat had of a comeback.

NOTES… Shots on goal were 35-32 in favor of the Barracuda… The Barracuda went 1-for-5 on the power play and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill… Grosenick improved to 7-4-3 with a 3.03 goals-against-average and .902 save percentage… 12 different Barracuda skaters registered a point and each Barracuda skater registered a shot on goal… Goodrow and Stollery tied for a game high four shots on goal… Goodrow has 10 points (5-5-10) in four games against the Heat this season… Goldobin (2-1-3), Emanuelsson (2-2-4) and Lerg (1-2-3) all have three game point streaks… Barracuda defenseman Mark Cundari is playing for Team Canada in the 89th annual Spengler Cup… The Barracuda recalled defenseman Rick Pinkston from the Allen Americans of the ECHL on Dec. 26… Barracuda defenseman Patrick McNally and Hanson fought Heat forward Ryan Lomberg at 12:41 of the second period and 12:07 of the third period respectively… The Barracuda improved to 6-6-1 at SAP Center and 11-9-5 with 27 points overall… The Barracuda are back in action Monday afternoon (Dec. 28) as they host the Charlotte Checkers at 1:15 p.m./pt.

THREE STARS
1. Barclay Goodrow – Barracuda (2-0-2)
2. Troy Grosenick – Barracuda (31 saves, Win)
3. Petter Emanuelsson – Barracuda (1-1-2)

LINES
*In order of Appearance*
Goodrow / Carpenter / Emanuelsson
Goldobin / Langlois / Parkes
Lerg (C) / McCarthy (A) / Haley (A)
Gallant / Jevpalovs / Hanson

DEFENSE
*In order of appearance*
Mueller / Ryan
Young / Bergman
Stollery / McNally

GOALIES
Grosenick
Dell

SCRATCHES
McLaren
Pinkston
Cundari (Spengler Cup)
Doremus (inj)
Timmins (inj)