The San Jose Barracuda have their groove back after an incredible comeback win against the Henderson Silver Knights Sunday night in San Jose. On Saturday, the ‘Cuda defeated Henderson 4-1, making Sunday’s game the ‘Cuda’s sixth win out of the eight games played against the Silver Knights this year.
We’re the good noodles 😎 pic.twitter.com/U5vC8sCUtk
— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) March 3, 2025
The ‘Cuda started with Georgi Romanov in the net. The start of the game had a different tone than the last, being less aggressive. It was like this until the five-minute mark when Lucas Carlsson began the scoring for the night.
— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) March 2, 2025
Ten minutes later, Andrew Poturalski gets one in from Ethan Frisch and Ethan Cardwell, an Ethan sandwich.
— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) March 2, 2025
The action in the first had picked up quickly when, moments later, Danil Guschin was in the penalty box for slashing, putting Henderson on the power play. Moments later, the Silver Knights’ Alexander Holtz put Henderson on the board. The period ended on this goal, and the second is where things began to get tense.
Two minutes in, the ‘Cuda received a power play after a Henderson interference call, followed shortly by another slashing penalty on the Knights. San Jose, being on the power play, got another one in at the nine-minute mark by Danil Guschin, his first of the night.
— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) March 3, 2025
While a power play goal was nice, briefly following the goal, Gushchin was in the penalty box yet again for cross-checking. Holtz scored another goal on the power play, making it his second of last night’s game. Three minutes later, Holtz got another one, solidifying his hat trick as well as tying the game right at the end of the second period.
The third period began with a strong start, with four penalties by the ten-minute mark, each team taking two. Henderson ended up on the power play, with the fourth penalty being from San Jose’s own Donovan Houle for tripping. That’s where Holtz scores his fourth goal of the night, putting Henderson in the lead. And in just three more minutes the Silver Knights extend that lead with an unassisted goal by Kai Uchacz.
Head Coach John McCarthy pulled goaltender Romanov as time began to run down. The ‘Cuda scored with an extra man. It was another goal by Gushchin, his second. And while the Tech CU Arena attendees were biting their nails with the chance of a comeback and hat trick from Gushchin, their prayers were answered. At 19 minutes, he put his third puck in to the net, tying the game and sending hats flying onto the ice.
— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) March 3, 2025
The game moved to overtime and it was a brief one. Just 41 seconds into the extra time, Ethan Cardwell fired one into the net for the Barracuda win!
Gushchin on his hat trick
This was a physical game for Gushchin, having served two penalties and having a hat trick. This three-point game was well deserved and certainly in the cards for Gushchin after putting up three total points in the past three games, so it was not unexpected at all. When asked about how he was making himself available for all these shots, we got the short and simple answer:
“I just shoot the puck into the net and score goals; that’s it,” said Gushchin.
So far, Gushchin has put up 28 points for the Barracuda and is having a good season. Having such a game raises questions if he may be called up to the San Jose Sharks with potential trades at the deadline and injuries creeping up. He played an incredible game, so only time will tell.
Coach McCarthy on the road to playoffs
While Sunday had a good result, things got rocky and tense when Henderson took the lead. The ‘Cuda made a comeback with McCarthy’s decision to pull Romanov twice, ultimately benefitting the team, and leading to a win. Playoffs are around the corner the team energy seems to be there; Coach shared his thoughts on where he sees this team.
“I think this weekend was a good step for us, getting the four points is great and then a little emotional aspect to this one as well, it can be a source of confidence for us moving forward,” said McCarthy.
When asked what the number one key to achieving wins like this in the future was, McCarthy stuck to the program.
“Taking care of the puck and doubling down on details,” he said. “Playing tight, stopping instead of swinging, all those habits.”
Such an exciting win with a comeback shows that the San Jose Barracuda are here to stay. The team has a potential spot in that playoff bracket and we look forward to more incredible efforts to get to that destination. The ‘Cuda return to the Tech CU Arena on Wednesday, where the hosts the San Diego Gulls at 7 p.m. PST.
